A little sailboat has a big burst of determination when a fleet of
tall ships needs assistance.
Lily the sailboat is small but sturdy, in a harbor full of enormous
cargo ships, speedy fishing vessels, and bossy tugboats that all have
somewhere to go. And something to say--mostly, "Out of my way, Lily!"
But Lily has somewhere to go, too. Out on the lake, the tall ships are
coming! To pass from the harbor to the lake, Lily must blow her horn and
ask the lift bridge to rise--*"Meee-me?"--*but the big vessels' blasts
are so much louder as they crowd her out and rock her with waves.
Finally, Lily slips under just before the bridge goes down, her sails
fluttering with excitement as she spies the majestic barquentine,
schooner, and other grand old ships heading toward the now-lowered
bridge. Silently! How will the bridge know to rise? Can Lily save the
day? This tale of plucky persistence, illustrated with the splash and
sparkle of a summer day on the water, is sure to empower any child to
take charge when the time is right. A note from the author, a Newbery
Honoree, offers more facts about bridges and boats for curious readers.