Paddle-to-the-Sea (Sandpiper Books)

This 68 page evergreen, copiously colour-and-mono illustrated, large format book, is of a long journey by a toy canoe made by a Canadian Indian boy from lake Nipigon, Ontario to the Atlantic Sea via the Great Lakes and Rivers. It was written and beautifully illustrated, including Maps, by the Author Holling Clancy Holling. A "Must Have" book for children both old and young.Just re-printed: ISBN-13: 978-0-395-15082-5 by Clarion Books - an Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers and Just re-printed - well, I bought my copy new in 2024.

Paddle to the sea is a book I really liked as a child in the 1950s and 60s. it is a simple story of a Native Canadian who carves a small figurine and sends it off with the hope/intention that it will find it's way to the open ocean through the waterways of Canada/North America. It's written simply and tells of this journey and how the lad finally finds that it went all across to France. Having always loved looking at maps, this story which charted the places visited by the figurine along the way was fascinating to me. I make no apology for saying that when I read it again for the first time in nearly 50 years, I still find it captivating. A very easy, satisfying read. It won't be 50 years until I read it again!

I bought this after watching a re-run of Northern Exposure where Chris-in-the-Morning read excerpts of this childrens story. It sounded so lovely that it made me buy the book and i was not dissapointed.Well written and such lovely, gently story, with a little bit of education thrown in.Beautifully illustrated and a joy to read the adventure of the little canoe Paddle to the Sea.

See my review on "Seabird ". Any book written by Holling Clancy Holling is a "keeper", a treasure never to be forgotten, as in my case, from 65 years ago. All of his books make an exceptionally good read for any bright, inquisitive youngster. Also try Minn of the Mississippi and Tree in the Trail. Absolute gems.

It’s a lovely book but for an older child we bought it for our four-year-old grandson and although we can read it to him I think it’s a bit advanced. However he will grow into it and love it

I was delighted to find this book again as my mother used to read me the story in the 1940's when it was first published. It is a wonderful story - the fact that I remembered the story for just under 70 years must say something about the quality of the story and the excellent illustrations. I would unreservedly recommend it to you.

An existential story full of adventure , love, and triumph. If you’ve never read it - no matter your age - do so now.

If I'd had this book back when it was published, I think my geography marks at school would have been much higher. The story is fun, the drawings are great to remember the shapes of all the Great Lakes and it's really a stroll down memory lane (as a Canadian living in Switzerland). Thank you for this book! As soon as my grandchildren are old enough, I'll be reading it to them so they can honor their Canadian roots.