The Ship in the Window

By: Travis Jonker

Narrated by: Marwan Salama

Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell and librarian Travis Jonker have crafted a timeless tale of a little mouse and a big adventure.

Mabel the mouse wants nothing more than to be a fearless sea captain traveling the world in search of adventure. Every night she watches a man carefully construct a model ship, as his son watches by her side. Mabel and the boy know the model ship is anything but a toy, but they both long to see if it can really float. So Mabel hatches a plan to make her seafaring dreams come true.

Illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell and children's librarian and reviewer Travis Jonker, The Ship in the Window celebrates the rewards of following your dreams and never losing the spirit of adventure.

Critic reviews

"Arrr, 'tis a seaworthy tale, so set your compass toward fulfilling your dreams, and she'll not steer you wrong." —Kirkus Reviews

"Caldecott Medalist Cordell draws the gripping scenes that follow in sun-bleached blues and dense, delicate hatching that recalls old engravings." —Publishers Weekly

"Jonker taps into many children’s delight in miniatures; they will thrill along with Mabel at her adventure. Cordell’s scratchy ink and wash illustrations have a faded look, their sepias and pale blues giving the tale an old-timey feel. Sweet wish fulfillment." —The Horn Book Magazine

"With her plucky spirit and dreamy nature, Mabel would surely make a quick friend of Lobel’s Frog and Toad, and the narrative whimsy is both charming and familiar." —BCCB

"Cordell's beguiling, shaded pencil drawings aptly portray the corageous mouse, the boy, and the man who built the beautifully crafted, seaworthy miniature ship. An enjoyable picture book and a memorable read-aloud choice." —Booklist