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Boating Fun Book Reviews
 Boating Fun - Activities and Science for Boating Families
Written by Mike and Dee Pignéguy, Illustrated by Richard Gunther
Boating Fun was named on the Children's Literature Foundations Notable Books
List for 2004.
Reviewer Dorothy Vinicombe for the New Zealand Herald,
16 December 2004
Husband and wife team Mike and Dee Pigneguy have produced a wonderful guide to
boating for the whole family. The early chapters concentrate on the practical
aspects of boating from how to start and stop the engine to how to launch a
rescue flare, basic rules of navigation and the importance of being
weather-wise.
There are also explanations of tidal patterns, wind velocities and
how to read a weather map. In the second half of the book the emphasis is on
marine conservation and how to be an ocean scientist. The authors show the
readers how to keep records of their ocean adventures and of the marine
creatures they may encounter..
Reviewer Carol Arden for 'Magpies'
Volume Twenty March 2005
Getting to know about boating is
a huge task. This useful book will be very
helpful.
The use of correct boating
terminology is important so the labeling activity for yachts and launches is
valuable, however many children would need a knowledgeable adult to explain and
assist in completing the task.
The knotting and rules pages are
sound and the basic safety knowledge is essential.
Parental discretion will be necessary to decide when a young person is
capable and responsible enough to handle anchoring and the more advanced safety
procedures. The large section on weather
is accurate and informative.
There are many fun activities
and marine experiments for children to enjoy. The
treasure chest list is a great guide for the materials needed to keep youngsters
involved and entertained on longer passages or while exploring islands.
It is very pleasing to see
conservation issues discussed and island sanctuaries and marine reserves
highlighted. Creating this awareness
of responsible recreation is well handled.
The Table of Contents has a
clear colour coded layout. Page
layout is fresh with well sized print and clean fonts. Colourful lighthearted illustrations appear throughout.
All charts and diagrams are clean and accurate.
The full-page illustrations at the beginning of each section add little
to the book and may be somewhat obscure for children.
The water repellent finish on
the cover and the good quality paper will help this book survive the aquatic
conditions and the frequent use it will get. Although
written with young boating enthusiasts in mind this book contains much
information that would be useful for inexperienced adults beginning recreational
boating.
Boating Fun - Activities and Science for Boating Families
Written by Mike and
Dee Pignéguy
Illustrated by Richard Gunther
Published by Reed Children's Books, New Zealand
First Printed 2004
ISBN 1-86948-505-X
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