The Wreck of the Zephyr 30th Anniversary Edition

Interesting story with beautiful illustrations! It's wonderful to read aloud. However, it's a bit long for my 5 month old. I think I bought this book more for myself. The drawings are absolutely lovely. Without any spoilers, the book is about a boy who believes himself to be the greatest sailor. After a storm, he finds himself in an unknown shoreline. He looks out and finds that people sail boats in the air instead of the water! He tries to do the same, and we see what happens to him and his boat. Definitely recommended!

I love books

If I had to name my favorite Chris Van Allsburg book, it would probably be "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick," which pairs luminous, monochromatic, highly enigmatic images with the briefest and most suggestive of phrases, leaving the narrative up to the reader. But "The Wreck of the Zephyr," illustrated in full color pastels, with an economical story that is really a reminiscence, must run a close second. I also love "The Polar Express," another van Allsburg masterpiece, but "The Wreck of the Zephyr" offers a different kind of enchantment. For me, Chris van Allsburg's "homey" magic realism, arising out of and then transcending, the ordinary is as solid as his unique artistic style. Here is a dream––a very American dream of the highest achievement, of the desire to be the very best, a little tale about hubris leavened with the magic of powerful and evocative images––there is nothing "evanescent" or "will o'the wispy" about them––and his sculptural drawings and paintings make the improbable (or impossible) believable. And you'll want to look at these beautiful paintings again and again.

This book has moved us all—my grandson's name is actually Zephyr, inspired by my son's love of the book as a small fellow 30+ years ago. Purchased this copy for a neighbor who has a boat that always reminds me of the Zephyr.

Both my son (now 24) and I found this book so entrancing that it has become a standard baby gift, even though children probably can't follow it until they're four or five - they will love it for years. Since we might not remember all those babies later, we want to be sure they don't miss "The Wreck of the Zephyr"! Even among Chris Van Allsburg's outstanding books, the magic of this one stood out for us. Other favorites were "Jumanji" and "The Polar Express". We thought Van Allsburg's books lost some imaginative steam when he turned to "messages" about things like pollution in the late 1980s. And then, of course, my son grew up so I've not read more recent books. These three books should be part of every child's life. Being able to imagine and dream do more than enrich our experiences; they are also the stuff of which medical breakthroughs, inventions, new business ideas and future wonderful books are made.

Van Allsburg is my favorite children's authors. The Polar Express and Jumanji are 2 of my least favorites. "The Wreck of the Zephyr" is one of my favorites, a soft-core Twilight Zone story perfect for tweaking a kid's imagination.

GReat book for students

This was my son's favorite book as a child and continues to be as an adult. He gives this book to friends with children. The eBook version for Kindle is not great. It is worth it to purchase the hardcover because the illustrations are an important part of the story.

I read this book to our children 30 years ago, and with grandkids now wanted to share the story with them. Beautifully illustrated as well , it sets the imagination of children and adults alike, soaring with the fantasy of "what if you did have sails that could make you and your sailboat fly?"

A beautiful book

Fanastic illustrations. Quick service, good price.

Fanciful story, but the illustrations are lovely. This author does beautiful books in black and white, good to see his work in colour.