Cayson the Cruise Ship: From Ice to Island is a fantastic picture book for children. Authored by Josh Tinkey and illustrated by Ted Jones, the story introduces us to Cayson, a passenger cruise ship that always sails in icy waters. One day, Cayson’s captain asks Cayson why he looks gloomy, and Cayson confides that he is tired of cold water and dreams of an adventure in warm sunshine and blue waves. Captain Calvin decides to take Cayson on an adventure to the Bahamas. Cayson cannot believe it, but he trusts his captain. Captain Calvin navigates Cayson to Sunset Harbor Key. Cayson is both excited and nervous about the new island with its golden beaches and palm trees. What will Cayson discover on this adventure?

What a fascinating story. As a grandmother looking for books for my grandson, I absolutely loved Cayson the Cruise Ship – it made me feel like a child, and I enjoyed following Cayson on his Bahamas adventure. Adapting to change when moving to new places is an invaluable skill best learned in childhood. Josh Tinkey excels at entertaining and educating young readers with a perfectly paced, child-friendly lesson on being brave, friendly, and helpful for them to feel at home instantly in a new place. I appreciated how Captain Calvin role-modeled a perfect parent, willing to take Cayson to new horizons and steer gently and confidently through the change. Ted Jones’ full-page, colorful illustrations breathed life into Cayson and made him relatable. I highly recommend this fabulous adventure for elementary school children and their parents and carers.

Cayson the Cruise Ship has been working hard getting his passengers where they need to go, even in dreary weather. As a reward for all his hard work, Captain Calvin decides to take Cayson to a different world. This delightful picture book by Josh Tinkey follows his journey from cold waters and drizzle to warmth and sunshine. In the Bahamas, there are palm trees, sparkling blue water, golden sunshine, and of course, very happy passengers. Cayson loves his new surroundings, but is also a little apprehensive. How will he fit in here? The Captain encourages him to keep discovering new things. And soon he makes friends with a pod of dolphins, and feels at home in the tropical seas.

Cayson the Cruise Ship is a cheerful little adventure story in the tradition of hard-working passenger carriers and transporters like Thomas the Tank Engine and The Polar Express. Josh Tinkey carries on the theme of adventure and determination, adding child-friendly concerns about belonging in a new place. The bright illustrations by Ted Jones bring out the contrast between the gray, cold seas of the north and the tropical Caribbean, and you can almost see the palm trees dancing. This is a great book for read-aloud sessions at bedtime, in libraries and kindergartens. The introduction of new places and characters like the dolphins will open up a world of discovery for kids. The wise words of the Captain will find a place in many kids’ hearts, helping them to learn that being brave and adventurous leads to many discoveries.