September 16th
12pm
No RSVP Required
We're thrilled to announce a Saturday Seaport Storytime event with the incredible, award-winning Thyra Heder, author- illustrator of Sal Boat: A Boat By Sal, How Do You Dance?, Fraidyzoo, Alfie (The Turtle That Disappeared), and more. Thyra will read Sal Boat, sign books, and help kids use recycled materials to design and build their own tabletop boats--boats inspired by Sal. Great for kids 4 to 8, but a fun event for all ages. Hosted by Yvonne Brooks. We look forward to seeing you!
About the Book
A boy builds a unique boat of his own with some help from his community in this new picture book written and illustrated by Thyra Heder, the critically acclaimed author of Alfie.
Sal loves the water. All day, he thinks about it: being out there, just him and the waves, alone. More than anything else, he wants a boat. And he knows just what it would look like. So he decides to build it himself.
It isn’t long before everyone in town starts sharing advice. But Sal doesn’t need their help. He knows just what he’s building. And he does it! Except . . . he forgets one crucial detail—that no project, big or small, can be launched without a little help.
From the acclaimed author-illustrator of Alfie and How Do You Dance? comes a clever and heartfelt tale about creativity, collaboration, and how you don’t always have to be alone to be free.
“Along with effectively capturing the setting’s small-town feel in her watercolors, Heder depicts a light-skinned protagonist whose changing facial expressions and body language offer a positive study as he goes from intense, scowling concentration to delight, dismay, then despair, resignation, and, bit by bit, anger . . . A literally buoyant reminder that sometimes it takes a village.” —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
About the Author
Thyra Heder is the author and illustrator of Fraidyzoo, The Bear Report, Alfie, and How Do You Dance?. She is also a scenic designer and storyboard artist for film and advertising. She lives in Brooklyn.
Praise For…
**STARRED REVIEW**
"Along with effectively capturing the setting’s small-town feel in her watercolors, Heder depicts a light-skinned protagonist whose changing facial expressions and body language offer a positive study as he goes from intense, scowling concentration to delight, dismay, then despair, resignation, and, bit by bit, anger... A literally buoyant reminder that sometimes it takes a village."
— Kirkus Reviews
**STARRED REVIEW**
"In a film-worthy climax, Sal runs into a potentially tragic difficulty, and the diverse community of people that teased him before rallies to his rescue. Heder zooms in on the expressions that cross Sal’s face as he realizes his error: frustration, tearful despair, and resolve. Sal’s creation is the kind of inventive structure that beckons readers who daydream about adventure, and the resourceful realization of his vision offers deep satisfaction."
— Publishers Weekly
**STARRED REVIEW**
"A lovely, luminous evening boat regatta concludes this thoughtful tale of imagination, determination, and community.
— Booklist
Thyra Heder is the author and illustrator of multiple books for children, including Fraidyzoo, Alfie, and others. Her most recent picture book, Sal Boat, was published in August of 2023. Thyra is also a scenic designer and storyboard artist for film and advertising. She lives in Brooklyn.
