If I Had a Boat

A comforting picture book that navigates the obstacles and joys of imagination, siblinghood, and togetherness, while celebrating the wisdom of finding a little space for you.

If I had a boat . . .
I could get some peace and quiet.

When the frustrations of being an older sibling feel overwhelming, a young child dreams of sailing far away. They yearn to explore the deep, dark sea and discover an unmapped land where no one will ever find them. But the uncharted ocean can be scary . . . and sometimes you need a little sibling to help unfurl your sails.

If I had a boat . . .
I guess you could come, too.

Brooke Boynton-Hughes offers a gorgeously illustrated journey for any sibling struggling with big feelings, and for parents seeking social-emotional learning tools.

Brooke Boynton-Hughes is the award-winning illustrator and author of If I Had a Boat, Brave Molly, and Heart String, and the illustrator of several other books for children, including Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton, His Fairytale Life by Jane Yolen, Henry Wants More! by Linda Ashman, and Wheres My Turtle? by Barbara Bottner. She lives in Colorado with her husband and three children.

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Publish Date: October 20, 2026
• Pages: 40
• Language: English
• Type: Hardcover
• EAN/UPC: 9780374389239
• Dimensions: 11.3 X 8.9 X 8.9 mm | 0.91 pounds
• BISAC: Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings
  Juvenile Fiction / Imagination & Play
  Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings