Review by Booklist Review
First too little, then too big: the story opens with elderly elephant Gabriel reflecting on his life, striking a somewhat somber tone as he recalls his ambition to join the local lifeboat crew in his seaside village. The captain tells young Gabriel he needs to grow before he can help out, but adult Gabriel is larger than the rescue boat. The repeating chorus ends with "Heave-ho. Oh no." A less-determined elephant would give up his dream, but instead Gabriel teaches himself how to build a (larger, stronger) boat. The atmospheric illustrations have layers and textures, creating a realistic backdrop juxtaposed with animal characters. When a fleet of fishing boats runs into trouble, the storm is too forceful for the regular rescue crew. Gabriel's weight is enough, however, to keep the strong winds from blowing him over, and he reaches all the boats in trouble. His bravery and perseverance convince everyone that he does have a place with the team. Now they just need an even larger boat, which Gabriel happens to know how to build.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This affectionately swashbuckling work by Vere (The Artist) doesn't start out sounding like a heroic tale as Gabriel, an elderly elephant ("His knees crack. His back creaks") looks out over the harbor of a small fishing village, remembering. As a young elephant, Gabriel is smitten with the lifeboat and the animal crew that rows it. "Heave away, haul away, heave-HO!" they sing, and he longs to go with them. "Come back when you're older," they say. But when he's fully grown, he dwarfs their boat ("Heave-ho. Oh no"). Gabriel is determined: "There is only one thing I want to do.... So I will do it!" He collects driftwood, builds a lifeboat of his own, and when disaster strikes, he's ready. In Vere's spreads, Gabriel and other scratchy-lined animal characters have the look of friendly animation; by contrast, sea scenes drawn with charged ink lines pulse with energy against stormy gray backdrops. It's not a tale of injustice redressed: Gabriel is so gentle, and the lifeboat crew so grateful, that only joy lingers as the elephant finds a way to do what he loves, and comes away with marvelous stories to tell. Ages 3--7. Agent: Barry Goldblatt, Barry Goldblatt Literary. (May)
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Review by Horn Book Review
In a rousing adventure dedicated to the author's grandfather, who "sailed the seven seas," readers meet Gabriel, an elderly elephant who lives with his sea cat, Milou. Gabriel, whose face has "as many lines as the sea has waves," lives by the harbor, remembering the old days. Vere then rewinds the clock to visit Gabriel's boyhood, during which he revered the crew of creatures who worked on the lifeboat. (No humans here. All characters are anthropomorphized animals.) They tell Gabriel to return when he's older, but when he does, he's too large to fit in the boat. Disappointed but undeterred, he constructs his own lifeboat, built "for strength. Built for him!" In this boat, Gabriel saves a fleet during a disastrous storm. Vivid copper and rose colors dominate the palette, punctuated by cool blues and grays. Vere animates the story with seafaring language ("Heave away, haul away, heave-ho, heave-HO!") and bustling verbs ("The wind whipped and whistled. The waves turned into giants, tumbling, lashing, and crashing"). Vere describes Gabriel's determination to build a boat that can carry him as "an important thought...There is only one thing I want to do...So I will do it!" The gentle reminder to readers to pursue their passions, no matter the odds against them, makes this endearing tale an inspiring one. Julie DanielsonJuly/August 2024 p.118 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Dedication and determination are everything. Gabriel, an old elephant who lives by the sea, reminisces about visiting a lifeboat as a youngster. He loved watching the crew ready it to rescue sailors and enjoyed listening to them sing sea shanties. He longed to be so brave! When Gabriel asked to join them, they told him to return when he was older and stronger. Gabriel read about storms and sea rescues and practiced rowing. He grew older, stronger, and BIGGER. By the time he returned to the crew, Gabriel had unfortunately grown too large to fit into the boat. More intent than ever, Gabriel constructed his own vessel, singing mightily. Meanwhile, the fishing fleet set out, then ran into big trouble when a strong gale hit. The regular lifeboat team couldn't help. Guess who rescued the sailors safely with his own powerful vessel? In the end, everyone decided to build a larger craft to accommodate everyone. By turns thrilling and warmly reassuring, this story demonstrates that resolve--and inclusion--wins out; readers will cheer for Gabriel all the way. Sailing through the narrative are vigorous shanties readers might well join in on. Fitting his animal cast out in thick sweaters and raincoats, Vere brings the Cornish setting to life beautifully. Gabriel cuts an endearing figure in the lively illustrations, rendered in a limited palette of soft oranges, grays, and blues. A charming winner about purpose, bravery, and making one's dreams come true. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
