All hands on deck!: a deadly hurricane, a daring rescue, and the origin of the Cajun Navy

Feisty boats, with cartoon features giving them perky life (à la Thomas the Tank Engine), are called into service in this story of Hurricane Katrina and how a private flotilla was organized into the "Cajun Navy." Neubecker's informative picture book shows how private individuals can make a difference together in the face of disaster, helping everyone. There's also a lot of appeal here for kids who adore any kind of conveyance, with pictures carefully showing the variety of boats--from airboats to fishing trawlers to speedboats--that helped rescue people and pets, carried food supplies for the population of New Orleans, and more. Fact-dense back matter about hurricanes, floods, safety, and how the Cajun Navy came to be when Louisiana and New Orleans government officials put out a call for boats (soon numbering in the hundreds) make the book useful for the curious, as well as for weather- and civic-related reports. Overviews of what the city looked like in flood, and how the variety of boats helped in specific circumstances, fascinate. Perfect for all libraries.

"The little boats come from all over the coast, one by one. Bass boats and airboats and rowboats, fishing boats and speedboats and skiffs all answer the call, captained by everyday people coming to help." Neubecker's colorful and engaging picture book provides readers with a vibrant telling of the formation of New Orleans's Cajun Navy in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Readers are introduced to various watercraft, including Bennie the airboat, Sal the speedboat, and Bubba the bass boat (each given eyes and a smile that Mike Mulligan fans will recognize, appropriate in this nod to Virginia Lee Burton's classic vehicle books), which all play important roles in the nascent Cajun Navy's rescue efforts. Throughout, the traits of the distinct crafts prove important to the various situations ("Bennie thinks: 'With my fan and shallow draft, I can go where no one else can'"). Cartoonish watercolor, pencil, and digital illustrations lighten what could be a harrowing topic for a young audience. Neubecker's detailed double-page spreads depict rescuers and survivors of various skin tones, accurately conveying the diversity of New Orleans. Back matter includes general information about hurricanes and hurricane safety, an overview of Hurricane Katrina, and more about the Cajun Navy. Eric Carpenter July/August 2021 p.39(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Ordinary heroes dive into danger in this celebration of Hurricane Katrina's Cajun Navy. Around New Orleans and all along the Gulf Coast, a wide array of boats can be found. Here readers meet Bubba, a bass boat, Bennie, an airboat, and Sal, a speedboat. One day, a hurricane strikes Louisiana. The waves crash, the levees break, and suddenly there are too many people for the firefighters, police, and Coast Guardsmen to save. Initially Bubba, Bennie, and Sal feel helpless, but as word goes out for volunteers to help the people stranded, the boats feel the call of duty. As the backmatter relates, thousands of people were rescued thanks to this impromptu "Cajun Navy." Additional information discusses the origins of hurricanes, the Cajun Navy's ongoing efforts, and how to prepare before and keep safe during a hurricane. Much of Neubecker's art is beautiful, as when the endpapers present New Orleans from above. However, these rescue boats have both eyeballs and sentience: "Bubba has an idea: 'If all the little boats work together, we can do big things.' " The humans piloting them seem like afterthoughts. While the impulse to make this tale of disaster a child-friendly one is understandable, anthropomorphizing the boats detracts from the true heroism of the very real citizen rescuers. A straightforward retelling would have better served this history. Unnecessary anthropomorphization mars what should be a stirring, heroic tale. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Feisty boats, with cartoon features giving them perky life (à la Thomas the Tank Engine), are called into service in this story of Hurricane Katrina and how a private flotilla was organized into the "Cajun Navy." Neubecker's informative picture book shows how private individuals can make a difference together in the face of disaster, helping everyone. There's also a lot of appeal here for kids who adore any kind of conveyance, with pictures carefully showing the variety of boats—from airboats to fishing trawlers to speedboats—that helped rescue people and pets, carried food supplies for the population of New Orleans, and more. Fact-dense back matter about hurricanes, floods, safety, and how the Cajun Navy came to be when Louisiana and New Orleans government officials put out a call for boats (soon numbering in the hundreds) make the book useful for the curious, as well as for weather- and civic-related reports. Overviews of what the city looked like in flood, and how the variety of boats helped in specific circumstances, fascinate. Perfect for all libraries. Grades K-2. Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.