Nicole's Boat — Allen Morgan

"I am sailing away to the end of the day,
down the long winding river that goes to the sea."

Just before it is time to sleep, Nicole settles into bed with all her animals. She becomes the captain of their boat as they prepare to sail away. When her father comes in to say goodnight, he tells Nicole a wonderful sail-away story.

In the story, Nicole travels in her small boat down a winding river. Along the way she encounters a crow, a cow and three kittens. When they ask where she is going and if they can join her expedition, Nicole makes room for the new adventurers. Each animal brings something to improve the boat, adding a sail woven from grass, ropes made of flowers and wind to blow them along. When they reach the sea, the friends are afloat in a beautiful sailboat.

Allen Morgan has created a gentle story of co-operation, imagination and dreams, complemented by Jirina Marton's cheerful illustrations.