A boy and a bear go to sea, equipped with a suitcase, a comic book and a ukulele. They are only travelling a short distance and it really shouldn't take long. But their journey doesn't quite go to plan . . . Faced with turbulent storms, a terrifying sea monster and the rank remains of a very dangerous sandwich, the odds are against our unlikely heroes. Will the Harriet, their trusted vessel, withstand the violent lashings of the salty waves? And will anyone ever answer their message in a bottle? Brilliantly funny and tender, this beautiful book maps the growth of a truly memorable friendship and explores how, when all else is lost, the most unexpected joys can be found.

 

This book is the winner of numerous awards. It was recognised by the Branford Boase Award. The Branford Boase Award is awarded annually for an outstanding first novel to a first-time writer of a book for young people. At the same time, it marks the important contribution of the editor in identifying and nurturing new talent. It was recognised by the Kitschies Red Tentacle Award. It also was recognised by the The Whitbread Award, now called 'The Costa Book Awards'. These are a set of annual literary awards recognising English-language books by writers based in Britain and Ireland. They were inaugurated for 1971 publications and known as the Whitbread Book Awards until 2006 when Costa Coffee, then a subsidiary of Whitbread, took over sponsorship. It was recognised in the Primary School category by the Bash Book Award. Also it was recognised by the Carnegie Award. The CILIP Carnegie Medal is awarded by childrens librarians for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people. It was recognised by the Kate Greenaway Medal Award. The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded by childrens librarians for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people.

This book is aimed at children in primary school.

There are 304 pages in this book. This book was published 2014 by Random House Children's Publishers UK .

Dave Shelton created the comic strip Good Dog, Bad Dog published in the DFC, the Guardian and the Phoenix. His first novel, A Boy and a Bear in a Boat, won the 2013 Branford Boase Award for first novel. He lives in Cambridge.