Author Description

Set sail on a delightfully detailed and richly illustrated voyage into the world of ships and shipping that introduces young readers to an oceanic array of naval phenomena. Readers of every age will find something to dive into in this wonderfully diverse and in-depth exploration of the maritime world. As in his previous book, Planes, Jan van der Veken takes a kaleidoscopic approach to his subject. Deftly weaving history, science, and culture, he looks at a fascinating array of subjects--historic vessels, amazing voyages, extraordinary figures, technical details, and cultural phenomena. Throughout the book, van der Veken 's vibrantly colored, retro-futurist illustrations are as beautiful as they are informative. Readers will learn: Why seas have streets Which bodies of water are considered cursed How a ship stays afloat How to use a sextant How lighthouses work. Certain to provide hours of entertainment, this is the perfect book for naval enthusiasts of every age.