It is a fun, cumulative story about a boat, a girl and the sea and is different from most cumulative books in that it also tells a story.
As the seas build, the boat and its captain are introduced with rhythm, rhyme and repetition.
A Big Blue Boat is the first in the series based on Ms Spray’s adventures.
The book fills the niche market of realistic sailing stories for young children, particularly girls.
The sequel about life on the brine is currently being illustrated and is due for release early next year.
A Big Blue Boat is already a Children’s Picture Book Genre Winner and has been shortlisted in the 2023 Page Turner Awards.
A retired classroom teacher who majored in English and children’s literature, Ms Spray spent 23 years making literacy learning fun for her young students.
A decade ago, she and her husband commenced an around-the-world sailing odyssey.
Their travels were recorded on Ms Spray’s sailing blog.
A Big Blue Boat was released in March 2022 and has featured in many awards, winning the 2023 Purple Dragonfly Awards and the 2022 Literary Titan Silver Awards, as well as being a finalist in the 2022 Page Turner Awards and the 2021 Page Turner Awards.
To see Ms Spray, bookings are essential.
Contact Goulburn Valley Libraries on 1300 374 765 or email cobram@gvlibraries.com.au to book in.
Copies of A Big Blue Boat will be available to buy at the event.
If you can’t make it to Cobram Library, Ms Spray will also be visiting Avenel Library on Tuesday, February 13 at 10:30am and Tatura Library on Wednesday, February 14 at 10:30am.
