STEAMBOAT IN A CORNFIELD

by John Hartford ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 20, 1986

In 1910, the steamboat Virginia was carried over the banks of the flooding Ohio River; when the water receded, the boat was left stranded in a cornfield, becoming a tourist attraction and eventually requiring the services of a house mover to extricate it. Country-and-western composer Hartford tells the story in a ballad-like poem, illustrated with photographs, maps, tickets and newspapers collected from the era. The contemporary photographs are excellent, with reproduction sharp and clear; the sepid coloring gives a handsome appearance. However, children will need some introduction to the book, since it must be placed in a historical setting, the riverboat terminology is probably unfamiliar to most, and the poetic grammatical structure is complex. For children living near big rivers, this will provide a view of their own history; for other children, it gives a unique picture of an alternative way of life; for all, it is a reminder of the human struggle to overcome the whims of nature.

Pub Date: Nov. 20, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Crown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1986

Categories: CHILDREN'S