{"product_id":"the-raft-9780064438568","title":"The Raft","description":"\u003cp\u003eInspired in part by his own childhood, this gorgeous picture book from Jim LaMarche, the beloved illustrator of \u003cem\u003eA Story for Bear\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Elves and the Shoemaker\u003c\/em\u003e, tells the story of one stubborn boy's unexpectedly wonderful summer on the river.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is an imagination-sparking story about appreciating the simple, natural joys of the world and the people in it, and about discovering and exploring one's own talents. \u003cem\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/em\u003e proclaimed, \"This dazzling picture book is an artistic triumph.\" The author's note describes the similarities between his own life and the life of his protagonist.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNicky is convinced that his summer with his grandmother in the Wisconsin woods is going to be the worst summer ever. She cooks food that he doesn't like, there's an art studio where her living room should be, and he's expected to do chores--including fishing, the most boring chore ever.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut one afternoon, while Nicky is trying to catch their dinner, a raft drifts down the river towards him. The raft has a calming magic about it, affecting both Nicky and the wildlife of the river and woods. Through the raft and the adventures it brings him on, Nicky finds new common ground with his grandmother, a fellow river rat, who encourages him to explore his newfound talent for art.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e LaMarche, Jim\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/28\/2002\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e HarperTrophy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780064438568\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 40\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.45lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 10.80w x 0.10d","brand":"Jim LaMarche","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39523268427851,"sku":"9780064438568","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0021\/1697\/6715\/products\/img_66186ce8-f601-43d1-a5f3-7fd4c53df9ff.jpg?v=1632254686","url":"https:\/\/blackbookstore.com\/products\/the-raft-9780064438568","provider":"Black Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}