Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee
By Chris Van Dusen
The Story
A man and his dog set out in a rowboat with lunch for three, only to get launched airborne when a playful whale surfaces right beneath them.
Why It's Special
For the kid who thinks a calm boat ride is only interesting if something goes hilariously wrong, this is the day at sea they're picturing.
- Big idea: Adventures rarely go as planned, and that's usually where the fun starts.
- Vibes: Bouncy, rhyming, salty-air silliness with a jolt of surprise.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy rhyming read-alouds with a bouncy rhythm
- like to predict what happens next in a story
- love stories about animals causing good-natured chaos
- respond well to a story that builds toward a big, silly moment
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What do you think happened when the whale bumped Mr. Magee's boat?
- Imagination: If you were suddenly flying through the air like Mr. Magee and Dee, what would you do first?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Mr. Magee felt when his calm day on the water turned upside down?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever been on a boat or near the ocean? What did you see?
- Prediction: Do you think Mr. Magee and Dee ever got to eat their lunch? What do you think happened to it?
