This was such a delightful read with the most beautiful illustrations. The story told of a young girl, who loves to go paddling with her mum, in their blue canoe, and the impending arrival of her baby sibling, who she cannot wait to meet and show them all the great things, when it is a paddle day.

I absolutely adored the artwork; it made the story all the more intriguing to follow!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sheryl McFarlane and the publisher for allowing me to read The Blue Canoe before its release.

"Every cabin day is a paddle on the lake day." Thus begins this delightful picture book, The Blue Canoe, which takes young readers on a gentle journey through reeds and rushes. As our young protagonist observes a heron, leaping trout and other wildlife, she asks her mom what life will be like when her new sibling arrives. The mother reassures her child that she will never be too busy for her or paddling on the lake together. The beautiful illustrations capture the magic of the lake, all its residents, and the warmth of the mother-daughter relationship.

What a beautifully illustrated and written story about a young girl and her mother, talking during a canoe trip about the new baby mom is expecting. Questions and uncertainties swirl as the oars slip through the water. Eventually, the mom reassures her daughter that all be well. A sweet, soothing tale.

omg this was so sweet <3 the blue canoe is a story about a family expecting another baby and what i like about it is that it is from the perspective of the baby's sibling and her conversations with their mother as they have their canoe trip activity. this is just perfect for families especially since it tackles the daughter's doubts as well like what if she'll be a bad sibling. it's just so true because i also felt that way when i was a kid. i wanted to give my whole world to my baby sister <3 this is a good way to reassure children of their capabilities as an older sibling. thank you for the author for this ARC! thank you to NetGalley as well!

Beautifully illustrated and fabulously written book about expecting a new sibling and wondering what they might like.

It's such a lovely, educational and harmonic picture book about a daughter that are soon going to become a big sister. Also seeing a pregnant woman is wonderful to see. Making pregnant body normalized is such a wonderful and modern way to illustrate.

I LOVED the artwork and I would love to have pictures displayed as posters or bookmarks, I will follow Laurels enchanting artwork for life.

The illustration was pleasing to the eyes, I loved the colors and the cute animals that were portrayed. It was an cute book adventure down the steam filled with love and connection between nature and human. The little girl who soon is becoming an big sister share her concerns of getting a sibling with an understanding and logical mom, which I truly appreciate. The themes are nicely portraited.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

This is a really cute story for a mother (or grandmother) to sit down and read with her daughter. I thought that the illustrations were fun and eye catching. The story wasn't too hard to follow for a little kid either. I wish I had a child to read this book to.

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Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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This picture book has beautiful, soothing illustrations, and it explores a little girl's experience of looking forward to having a new sibling. As the little girl enjoys a favorite tradition of canoeing with her mother, she asks her mother questions about how things will change in the future, and her mother reassures her. The book is quiet and gentle, with a sweet feeling of anticipation, and it will appeal to many families who are expecting a new baby.

I received an electronic ARC from Familius through NetGalley.
Soft words and pictures capture the love and worries a young girl feels about the "soon to be baby" in their lives. Mom and she love canoeing and she asks questions that show she wonders how the baby will fit in with part of their lives. The mom is patient and gentle as she answers and emphasizes they won't know until the baby is here and decides for themself. This is a perfect gift for families expecting a child with at least one child already part of the family.

Beautifully illustrated, glowing storyline and the ability to warm the heart as you watch the delight of spending the day with mom

This book was just precious. The cover alone didn’t lead me to think it would be as touching as it was. I figured it would be a book about nature and kind of slow, but the inquisitive big sister and the affirming expecting mother were so touching.

I found this story to be heart warming. As a big sister, I know the feeling of curiosity and worry that comes with getting a new sibling. This story did beautifully in expressing those emotions while having the mother comfort and reassure her daughter. The illustrations really helped with the story and made it come across so perfect in my opinion. I love the message that even when things change, it doesn’t mean it has to be bad or that everything will change.

This is a great bedtime story that could help many soon to be big brothers/sisters.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

“It's okay for different people to like different things.”

The story takes us as a mother takes her daughter on a canoe trip before her new sister is born. Along the way, her mother teaches her how she should be with her sister and they see sea animals while they learn.

She has a talent the Artis! The drawings are incredible.

THE BLUE CANOE is a very sweet children's book about one young girl's excitements and fears about her shortly-arriving baby brother, and how we will fit into the already established traditions of her family. She wonders this while sharing special time with her mother, and taking in the sounds and sights of a river canoe trip. The illustrations are lovely, and the story is sweet and hopeful. A lovely book to help children about to experience that family dynamic change.

This is a beautifully illustrated book that captures the myriad of emotions brought on by adding a new member to the family. I particularly love how the mother does not erase all of the young girl's worries by saying "That won't happen" or "It'll all be okay." The mother is very realistic in acknowledging that she will be busy and tired at times, and that they will not know what the baby likes to do until they arrive. This picture book is a gentle, thoughtful, and sweet portrayal of the spectrum of thoughts and feelings experienced by a young child whose family is expecting a baby.

The perfect little story to help a little one come to terms with their own doubts about a baby sibling on the way. It does a good job of reassuring the little one that things might change, but them and their interests will still remain important.

The illustrations drew me to this book - they are so beautiful! Then I read the story about a little girl whose mom is soon to have a baby that she calls the "coming soon baby." She has questions about the new baby and how it will change things. Sweet story about a mother and daughter!

Pjs, cuddling, and story-time before bed is a favorite at our house! The last couple weeks the kids had so much fun reading some new material I was given advanced copies of. It’s cute how now they ask what new books I have to read. As soon as I’m finished they will tell me what they loved about the book. My great little reviewers! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚📖 @netgalley #netgalley

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I can't have enough of this cover I wanted it to be a poster, I will have to display the book on my shelves instead eheh. The artwork is very serene and beautiful and has a great mood. This is the story of a young girl who is about to be a big sister, the changes can be overwhelming, and she will need to share her mother with her sibling, but I'm glad that she is excited to share her life and protect the baby too. Their connection with nature is wonderful. Very beautiful illustrations.
Thank you for the e-arc.

I really loved "The Blue Canoe" by Sheryl McFarlane. The story and illustrations were both peaceful and imaginative. I loved how nature, especially different types of birds, were very present in the book. I appreciated how the author used canoeing as an opportunity for mother and daughter to discuss a new baby joining the family. The images of the parent and child in the canoe and swimming in the lake were wonderful. Beautifully illustrated. This book would be great to read aloud. Thanks to Familius and NetGalley for the eARC.