by Aaron Fowler Fowler (Author), Peter Mader (Illustrator)
The third book in the Adventures of Bella and Choco, The Boat, is about two adventurous dogs who set sail around the world meeting and picking up new friends along the way. Their boat continues to grow in order to make room for all their new friends. Beginning in Wichita, Kansas, Choco sets sail down the Arkansas River headed towards the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way he picks up his friend Bella. Together they sail to Central America, South America, Antartica, Africa, the Middle East, India, Asia, and Australia. Along the way they pick up an otter, bison, nutria, quetzal, monkey, toucan, tapir, penguin, whale, giraffe, zebra, rhinoceros, lion, camel, tiger, elephant, kangaroo, and a platypus! And all the time the boat just keeps getting bigger to make room for everyone! Bella and Choco remind us that "The whole world is welcome, because we all belong on this boat." A fun song, by author Aaron Fowler accompanies this wonderful book. The watercolors of Peter Mader make this book come alive.