Harbor Bound by Catherine Bailey


Harbor Bound
Title : Harbor Bound
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1484799526
ISBN-10 : 9781484799529
Language : English
Format Type : Hardcover
Number of Pages : 40
Publication : Published May 14, 2019

Seal the hatches. Lock the boom. Looming waves. Up . . . up . . . ZOOM!

Daylight is fading, so it's time for boats of all kinds to wrap up their work and navigate back to harbor. As a tugboat and its crew of father and child steer toward home, it's a race to get there before the storm does! Harbor Bound traces their energetic journey, finally culminating with a gentle lullaby as they reach the shore.
This picturebook is a natural choice for children who love vehicle stories, and its steady, lilting rhythm makes it perfect for bedtime reading.


Harbor Bound Reviews


  • Cara

    The short, rhyming phrases that make up the text have a nice cadence that mirrors the waves. The text’s rhythm becomes intense as the boat navigates through a storm and calms to a peaceful ending in which the people are greeted by a loved one on the dock at nighttime. Gorgeous watercolor illustrations are the star of the book, especially when depicting the sunset. Perhaps because my library system is in a landlocked area, I am not sure if there will be a lot of interest in this title; it might be more popular in other areas of the country. Nevertheless, young listeners ages 3-7 could enjoy it as a read aloud or to study the lovely illustrations.

  • Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*

    Harbor Bound by Catherine Bailey, illustrated by Ellen Shi. PICTURE BOOK. Disney Hyperion, 2019. $17. 9781484799529.

    BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL(K-3) - OPTIONAL

    AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

    As the day ends on the coast, boats begin to head into harbor. A variety of boats are noted, and sea vocabulary is highlighted, as the evening comes on. Despite a short-lived squall, all the boats make it in for the night.

    This is a nice, rather niche, rhyming picture book that celebrates life on the water. I very much enjoyed the illustrations and appreciated a rhyme scheme that actually worked. This is a book that ocean/coast lovers will like a lot more than the average reader, but it definitely has its place in the market. As an added bonus, the author has included a glossary at the end to define all the sailing vocab the book used.

    Reviewer: TC

    https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

  • Kirsti Call

    "Thunder rumbles.
    Windy WRAAAWL!
    Go full flank.
    Race the squall."

    HARBOR BOUND by Catherine Bailey and Ellen Shi combines lyrical lovely rhyme with whimsical illustrations. The story follows boats on their journey home. This book is a bedtime book, an informational book (nautical terms are defined in the backmatter), and a great read-aloud. The sounds of the words mirror the sounds of the ocean beautifully.

  • Meredith Spidel

    Lovely, sweet tribute to boats and their whereabouts. Makes for a soothing bedtime story, and thanks to Disney Books for sending an ARC my way!

  • Kelly

    Rhyming doesn't feel forced. I approve.

  • Alice Ball

    Simplistic introduction to harbor life for a small child's boating family. Includes a glossary with text related terms at the end.

  • Buku Arutala

    Nice ilustration but not quite good for the story...

  • DiAnne Warfield

    Holt-Delhi PJ story time 07-13-2022

  • Barbara

    Rhyming picture book short enough to keep young readers' attention, but rich with nautical vocabulary.

  • Kristina Jean Lareau

    3.5 stars

    Simple rhymes and gorgeous watercolor illustrations.