This Is the Boat That Ben Built

There have been many riffs on the classic rhyme “The House that Jack Built”. Here, making use of the same rhythm and cumulative verse of the original, it is the inspiration for a new story about the adventure of a modern little boy.

Readers see Ben on the first page christening his rowboat Explorer as someone, who is probably Mom, looks on proudly and a large white dog tries to climb aboard. There follows a lazy journey along a peaceful stream populated by a variety of animals and birds. Readers watch as a loon floats past a beaver constructing its dam. A black bear wearing a satisfied expression swims along while a heron touches down on a young moose’s head.

This is the MOOSE all wobbly and slim

that strolls by the BLACK BEAR taking a swim

that dives by the GOOSE with the gorgeous grin

that glides by the LOON
that floats by the BEAVER

that builds by the FISH

that swims in the RIVER

that carries THE BOAT that BEN BUILT.

Ben appears to be a curious, resourceful child who wants to learn more about this watery world by listening, touching and looking at everything around him.

Drama is provided when the unexpected hoot of an owl startles the heron that pinches the moose, and so on backwards through the catalogue of creatures, upsetting the whole quiet sequence. The author has carefully followed the cadence of the original rhyme, and the text flows as smoothly as Ben’s stream.

Montreal-born artist Zeng has filled the pages with digitally-produced illustrations which show a tranquil waterway flanked by inviting woodlands. Misty tones dominated by green and peach may at first seem to make the outing appear to be a child’s perfect dream. But wait: readers can see that Mom and the family pooch are following along, continually watching from the bank as Ben floats, dips a bucket, naps and uses his binoculars to spy something that needs more careful examination. (And – safety first! - he is seen to be wearing a life jacket throughout). All of the animals are brought to life by the active poses that have been employed which let readers know this a fully-realized adventure. One of the most engaging spreads shows Ben leaning over the side of the little boat with a scoop net while all around fish big and small rush through the bubbling teal water.

Extensive back matter discusses the ecosystem of a northern river and offers a page of information about each of the animals introduced in the body of the text.

This Is the Boat That Ben Built is a collaboration that exudes a sense of happiness. It is the meeting of pleasant story and informative nonfiction that will be useful in primary classroom and library collections.