The Raft: A Heartwarming Picture Book About Nature and Art for Kids (Ages 4-8)

I bought this book for my 9-year-old grandson, and we loved reading it together. The Raft is a heartwarming book about a boy who spends the summer with his grandmother. One of the strong points of the story is that the boy learns not only about nature but also about himself. There is no "technology" at his grandmother's home, so he is forced outside. His summer experiences drifting down the river on a raft turned out to be a cherished experience for him. Additionally, the illustrations are beautiful. I highly recommend this book.

An excellent book for the nature loving adventurer child. This book illustrates a child’s ability to fall in love with his natural surroundings! A classic childhood story of discovery.

Class really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect but everyone was really engaged. They at first empathized with the boy for having to go to Grandma's with no TV (I added in internet and phone service). Then they were captivated with the drawings on the raft and loved all the different animals they were seeing. Most really liked the idea of spending the summer on a raft seeing tons of animals and drawing pictures. It was a hit!

I first encountered this book at the school where I teach. The children were captured by the story of this little boy who, at first, didn't want to be out in the country but who quickly became enamored with nature as it, it seems, was enamored with him. The pictures are beautiful. My students wanted to eat up every page and see everything in every picture. They understood just what he was going through and felt the same way about their journeys into nature. This book is a beautiful, gentle and simple reminder of the loving magic that comes from a relationship with the natural world. It's incredibly moving to witness the inner landscape of this little boy changing as he spends more time outside. If you wish that for your children, or whomever you are shopping for, I highly recommend this book. (Or a car ride to the nearest mountain lake.) (But, please, get the hardcover version. The paperback's pictures are not of good quality!)

It’s a wonderful, charming short story. I bought it for grandkids but the art work drew me to open the book and read it. I’m so glad I did. I’ll have to buy another for the grandkids! lol!

Amazing illustrations, so beautiful. You feel like you are at the River with the boy in the story. Wonderful life lessons about growing up and friendship with an older relative.

I read this to my 5th grade students and they all loved it! The pictures were wonderful and the book lended it’s way to lots of good discussion. It also brought memories of when my own son was a boy and stayed the summer with my mother who lived next to a river. I believe he would agree.

Amazing illustrations, so beautiful. You feel like you are at the River with the boy in the story. Wonderful life lessons about growing up and friendship with an older relative.

Such a beautiful book, used in the classroom with 11 year olds and they loved it too!

Tout amateur de littérature jeunesse se doit de découvrir (si ce n'est déjà fait) Jim Lamarche, merveilleux illustrateur de deux autres albums signés par Laura Krauss Melmaid : Les Bébés de Lune et Little Oh !. Pour The Raft (le Radeau), il a aussi pris la plume et raconte un été de son enfance, un été passé chez sa grand-mère, un peu solitaire, un peu sauvage peut-être, mais aussi artiste cachée auprès de laquelle il va découvrir les merveilles de la nature, au fil de l'eau, sur un vieux radeau. Il va donc observer, écouter, se laisser envahir, et puis dessiner, dessiner encore, dessiner toujours. L'été passera trop vite, finalement, et notre jeune narrateur, Jim himself of course, aura trouvé sa vocation. C'est splendide, plein de poésie, de tendresse, de chaleur estivale adoucie par le clapotis de l'eau. Encore, Jim, encore !

This is a beautiful book with an important message for children. Illustrations are gorgeous and gently encourages children (and reminds adults) to reconnect with nature. Simplicity is the key to happiness. I read this to my children multiple times and am pleased to have it in our collection.

小学校の国語の教科書に、『いかだ』と題して翻訳が紹介されていました。そもそも「いかだ」は、どこからどうやって流れ着いたのかが、教科書の文章では分からず、気になったので、原書『RAFT』を購入しました。でも結局、「いかだ」がどこからやってきたのかは、分かりませんでした。

One of the most beautifully illustrated children's books we own. Love this story of a young boy who is left at his Grandma's cottage for the summer. Reluctant and unsure at first, the boy opens up and comes alive when he happens upon an old raft and starts exploring the river along his Grandma's property. Beautiful read.