Barton's books are classics not just because they are still in print, but also because of their simple yet artistic illustrations and their effective use of a few words to tell a good story. A fireboat comes along to put out a fire while the speedboat rushes by the scene. A ferryboat enters the picture while the fireboat is still working on the fire, and then a fishing boat heads out to sea passing the ferryboat. A cruise ship enters the harbor passing the fishing boat with its' nets out. A tugboat comes along to help the cruise ship dock.
Workers load the ship and people go on board.
Friends wave good-bye, throw confetti and the cruise ship sails away disappearing into the distance. This is an appropriate book for children of many ages from young toddlers being read to by adults to kindergartners or first graders who might be able to read it themselves. Adults can talk about the boats and point out how they are different from large to small and from manpowered craft to giant ships with big engines and lots of passengers. Children will enjoy spotting the overlapping of the boats in the illustrations as well as the intense, deep color Barton uses. There's a lot to experience in this multi-layered book.