Picture Book 16

Title: LightShip
Author:Brian Floca
Illustrator:Brain Floca
Award: Robert Sibert
Readability Score:3.3
Theme: Every job is important
Genre: Informational Book
Sub Genre: Non-fiction
Publisher:Simon and Schuster
Publication Date: 2007
ISBN: 1-4169-2436-1

Summary: This book tells about the Lightship- which never appears to do much but just sit there- anchored in the ocean. Once deeper in the book it reveals what all is going on, on the boat. The boat has helmsman, oiler,engineer,deckhand, radioman, mess man, cook, and of course a cat. These people all have important jobs and yet they stay in one spot- anchored. There is a huge horn on the boat and several people keep watch for other boats, weather conditions, and they keep their light burning bright.  At the end of the book we see that the lightship is important to the other boats that are moving because they direct the boats where to go and whether they are on course or not. With a sling of the Lightship's light or a BLOW of her horn- she (the lightship) tells the other boats what direction they should be going.
How Would Use: This would be a great book to read to the students and show them that even though a job may not seem big- indeed it is big. Without this lightship the bigger boats would not know where to go. The Lightship is very important. I would also discuss the jobs of the above mentions people on the Lightship and then I would have the students share what they would want their responsibility to be on the boat.