When the boats in the harbor are feeling unwell, all they need is Hope to get back in ship shape. From Geisel Honor Book author and artist Stephen Savage comes a new vehicle book for the very young, sure to provide comfort and reassurance, based on the true story of the S.S. Hope hospital ship! The boats around the harbor haven't been feeling too well lately. First, Barge got bonked. Then Submarine started shivering. Ferry came down with a fever, little Dory's nose wouldn't stop running, and even mighty Aircraft Carrier had developed a terrible cough! They sent out an S.O.S. for help, and then a ship called Hope came to the rescue. With her team of tugboats at her side, Hope set about tending to the out of sorts boats. With her help, Barge gets a bandage, Submarine is soothed with a blanket, Aircraft Carrier is cured, and little Dory's nose dries up. The boats are feeling fit again, but they know whenever they are feeling sick, Hope will always be there to take care of them. The brightly-illustrated, kid-friendly picture book includes an essay about the real S.S. Hope and its service in humanitarian aid projects. Perfect for boat lovers of all ages! PreS-The boats in the harbor are all feeling under the weather. One is hurt, another has a dripping nose and a cough, and another one has a fever. Is there a doctor in the harbor? There are, and nurses, too, on the good ship Hope, which responds to the others' SOS. Inspired by the true story of the first peacetime hospital ship, which included an operating room, an X-ray room, a pharmacy, a library, and dozens of doctors and nurses, Savage creates a perfect vehicle book for toddlers. The one- to three-line text, in an open design that includes a large black font, is positioned near the corners of the pages, allowing expressive spreads of simple retro boats to clue readers in. The scenes rely on a harmonious mixture of curved lines for the ocean, clouds, and seascapes, with softened geometrical shapes for the anthropomorphized boats. Children will delight in pointing at the characters and participating in the simple plot. VERDICT A great sell for story times with an "ouches" or "boo boo" theme, this title sends a message of kindness and tenderness for almost anyone feeling out of sorts.-Kathia Ibacache, Univ. of Colorado Boulderα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. "A wonderfully sweet story about kindness and how we can always help one another."—Chelsea Clinton, author of She Persisted ★  "Little readers will be carried along by the bouncy rhythm, the expressive faces of the ships and boats, and the ingenious ways Hope finds to help others in need. Delightful and inspiring."— Booklist, Starred Review "this story’s power is in the reassurance that a source of comfort and caring is never far away."— Publishers Weekly   "Inspired by the true story of the first peacetime hospital ship, which included an operating room, an X-ray room, a pharmacy, a library, and dozens of doctors and nurses, Savage creates a perfect vehicle book for toddlers. . . . Children will delight in pointing at the characters and participating in the simple plot."— School Library Journal "Children fearing hospital visits, doctors, or nurses may find comfort in the book’s measured tone. This is reflected not merely in the spare text with its gentle wordplay, but also in the simplicity and style of the digital art." —Kirkus Reviews Stephen is a New York Times bestselling children’s book illustrator and author whose accolades include a New York Times Best Illustrated Book (Polar Bear Night), a Geisel Honor (Supertruck), and a Sendak Fellowship. He also wrote and illustrated Babysitter from Another Planet for Holiday House. In addition to books, he illustrates for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Time, Newsweek, and Entertainment Weekly. He’s taught illustration at the School of Visual Arts since 2001 and lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn with his wife, daughter and two dogs.