Book Review: WHOSE BOAT IS THIS BOAT?

WHOSE BOAT IS THIS BOAT? COMMENTS THAT DON’T HELP IN THE AFTERMATH OF A HURRICANE by The Staff of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. (Simon & Schuster, November 2018)  Hardcover, 24 pages. ISBN # 1982121084 / 9781982121082

 

Summary from the Goodreads website . . . . .

 

100% of The Late Show’s proceeds from this book go to hurricane relief.

 

Whose Boat Is This Boat? Comments That Don’t Help in the Aftermath of a Hurricane is a picture book made entirely of quotations from President Donald Trump in the wake of Hurricane Florence. It is the first children’s book that demonstrates what not to say after a natural disaster.

 

On September 19, 2018, Donald Trump paid a visit to New Bern, North Carolina, one of the towns ravaged by Hurricane Florence. It was there he showed deep concern for a boat that washed ashore. “At least you got a nice boat out of the deal,” said President Trump to hurricane victims. “Have a good time!” he told them. The only way his comments would be appropriate is in the context of a children’s book—and now you can experience them that way, thanks to the staff of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

 

Whose Boat Is This Boat? is an excellent teaching tool for readers of all ages who enjoy learning about empathy by process of elimination. Have a good time! 

 

My review on the Goodreads website . . . . .  

 

     The best thing about this book is that 100% of the proceeds will go to hurricane relief. I can recommend it strictly on that basis. Also, kudos to Stephen Colbert, seven other writers including some of the Late Show staff, and publisher Simon and Schuster for their efforts here. 

 

     This follows the template of standard children's books: wider versus taller, simple illustrations with minimal text, and short (18 pages). The art by Andro Buneta and John Henry help to emphasize the ridiculousness of Trump's insensitive comments in the aftermath of a disaster, and the bewildered and forlorn reactions of displaced residents and newspeople who witnessed them. 

 

     It's a single message tale that drives home one of the many flaws in our current President: his total lack of empathy and inability to think and consider what he says before it comes out of his mouth. 

 

     Despite that, it's a clever book with several amusing images. However, it did not elicit a single laugh, smile, or smirk from this reader. Perhaps if I had it read to me, as all good children's books should be presented, I might have at least chuckled or appreciated this more. I could see some young innocent children laughing at the absurdity of the story - - although I wouldn't recommend that anyone share this with children. It's better as a children's book for adults, who can better separate the humor from the reality. 

 

     I'm going to borrow a word that the President likes to use frequently to summarize this book: SAD.