Stormalong: The Legendary Sea Captain (Rabbit Ears)

The band NRBQ provides the rollicking score for a fun-filled account of the exploits and adventures of American folk hero Captain Alfred Bulltop Stormalong. Read by John Candy.

Grade 1-4?In this energetic retelling, Metaxas resurrects Stormalong, the legendary New England sea captain. During the hurricane of 1826, a huge baby is washed right into the Widow Stormalong's parlor. He grows by leaps and bounds, showing an increasing skill at all things nautical. At 16, Stormy joins the crew of a clipper ship and becomes famous by wrestling a sea serpent and tying it into knots. Unfortunately, he continues to grow, and one night he rolls over in his sleep and finds himself overboard. He decides to head as far inland as possible and turns to farming. He becomes so homesick, however, that he "...cried the entire Great Salt Lake into existence" before returning to Boston. He negotiates the narrow English Channel by soaping down his ship's sides, which results in the cliffs of Dover turning white. It is his final adventure, however, in which he and his crew beat a steamship in a race, that may turn this tale into a read-aloud hit. The narrator's sailor dialect is easy to read, and adds a touch of authenticity and fun to this much-anthologized yarn. Vanderbeek's shimmering art reflects the larger-than-life aspects of the text, although his color scheme is more reminiscent of tropical waters than the story's New England setting. A worthy addition for collections needing a dash of salt.?Lisa S. Murphy, formerly at Dauphin County Library System, Harrisburg, PA
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