Review: We Live On A Boat


Dreams are the conduits to adventure. We've all had a few. Mine, as a freedom seeking teen, was to buy the red and cream bus for sale that I passed everyday on my way to school. Imagine living in a bus, traversing the highways and byways of Oz! Well, Dave Petzold did and wrote about it in the family based adventure, We Live in A Bus. My love of the ocean pulled me in a different direction however thanks to another picturebook-inspired dream - to live on a boat. 

I remember a book filled with friendly marine creatures, a sea of swirling colours, freshly caught sea bass for dinner and grilled peaches for dessert, luxuriously illustrated and brimming with whimsical adventure. Could Petzold have shared this dream as well? 

We Live On A Boat, is a magnificent ode to the ocean and salute to the 'live aboards' who frequent her currents and tides. Lyrical verse begins with the reoccuring sentiment; we live on a boat which is immediately reinforced with the vessel's name: Lucky Sea Legs. This first person narrative instantly creates an intimacy that includes all readers even if they've never set foot on a sea going vessel in their lives. Indeed their curiosity and quest to 'come aboard!' is heightened. 

Straightforward descriptions of Lucky Sea Legs form the storyline which is puncuated by quirky characters and the authentic realities of shiplife. Each of these actions, be they the weighing of the anchor, the plotting of a chart or the setting of the jib is augmented with clever onomatopoetic words so that the non-seafaring reader understands exactly what is going on. 

Interesting things happen whilst living at sea. There is snorkelling amongst swooshing seals to be done, the hatching of baby turtles to be witnessed, new friends to be made across the waves, to name but a few of the many wondrous situations Lucky Sea Leg's family encounters on a daily basis. Petzold's ability to illustrate these experiences completes the rapture gained from this tale. 

Surging colours, loose outlines, and varied textures all conveyed in an almost retro palette of blues, greens and corals replicate the bold beauty of the underwater world but also create delightful movement. Precisely what you'd expect from living on a boat! Superb. 

As an ex grotty yachtie, I loved the robust and ready way this adventure ebbs and flows. Petzold never dumbs down nautical expressions or terminology yet still manages to escort the reader on a journey they won't easily forget and may want to relive, again and again.

I know, I still want to. Thanks to We Live On A Boat, that erstwhile dream remains afloat. 

Title: We Live On A Boat
Author: Dave Petzold
Illustrator: Dave Petzold
Publisher: Thames & Hudson, $26.99
Publication Date: 28 April 2026
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781760765439
For ages: 3 - 8
Type: Picture Book

Buy the Book: Thames & Hudson     


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