{"product_id":"the-first-boat-9798891848887","title":"The First Boat","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe First Boat\u003c\/strong\u003e is a lyrical tale of discovery and wanderlust.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA young boy from Maine longs to follow in the wake of a fabled sea captain, \u003c\/strong\u003e to sail the ocean round in a green boat, see whales spouting rainbows in the sky, and find a mermaid. \u003cstrong\u003eDespite the bullying laughter of many, he pursues a dream to embark upon his own adventure. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis richly illustrated, timeless tale is certain to inspire gentle dreams and become a family favorite.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe story opens just after the world began. A 10-year-old sea captain sails the new world steeped in awesome beauty. Humanity and nature resonate with delight. \u003cstrong\u003eWhales abound and spray rainbows into the sky.\u003c\/strong\u003e The wonderous world is revealed to the captain. \u003cstrong\u003eHe meets a mermaid in his travels and together they sail looking for pine trees and lobsters. They discover Maine.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEons pass. Then another young boy comes into the world. He is Samuel from Maine. He longs to sail the oceans like the first captain. When Samuel openly expresses his desire, he is roundly jeered, but not for the reason you may think. This episode exposes the absurdity of bullying, and how everyone will pile on a joke at others expense. Samuel is resolute and eventually launches his own ocean adventure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEons pass. And \u003cstrong\u003ea new generation is invited to dream\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBurch, Gregory J.:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Gregory J Burch received training at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. He later established a boutique country inn, located in Concord, Massachusetts. Gregory and his wife operated the inn for many decades while raising their 3 children, and numerous cats and dogs. Gregory enjoys exploring modes of artistic expression, historic research, and gardening. He also serves his greater community as an ordained Roman Catholic Deacon of the Archdiocese of Boston.","brand":"Fishbear Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51325260005650,"sku":"9798891848887","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_14ebcec4-c971-4788-be66-aa3c017243e3.jpg?v=1748723359","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-first-boat-9798891848887","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}