Uncle Louie's Fantastic Sea Voyage

Uncle Louie's Fantastic Sea Voyage
Jan Lööf ~ Random House, 1977

As with most things vintage children's books related in our house, a small bout of puppy love can fast turn into a full blown obsession. Little did I know that my post last Thursday would start an avalanche of awesome into my mailbox. Case in point, this story. Here we have a book that appeals to my sense of everything in a myriad of different ways. The illustrations are rich in color, leaned a bit on the cartoonish (which I always like). And the story is dark and mysterious, with an overall air of unnecessary dread... as what is thought to be ominous and spooky is really the everyday viewed in a different light. So, right out of the gate, I am bestowing it the coveted 80 thumbs up.

Our young hero is named Rusty, an inventor or sorts, who gets totally psyched at the thought of visiting his uncle, a scrap-iron dealer and junkyard dog. But when he arrives, he finds his uncle has bigger plans than a mere tinkering...

"Hi there Rusty!" cried Uncle Louie. "Wait till you see the great old boat I found. I'm making it into a paddle steamer, and then I'm going to sail it to Africa. I've always wanted to see the wild animals there, and my friend Millstone wants to go with me."

Upon seeing the old wreck, Rusty knows the boat will never make the trip but humors his Uncle all the same. What he doesn't know is that Louie's friend Millstone has magical powers, ummm... sort of. I don't want to give too much away, but but after stowing away, Rusty indeed gets to participate in his uncle's fantastic sea voyage, even if it is only one of the mind.

I LOVE THIS BOOK, and after begging three consecutive reads last night, I think my son would second that emotion.

Also by:
My Grandpa is a Pirate

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