REVIEW: New Children’s Boating Book

I’m not sending out props for this book just because the authors sent a signed copy to my daughter, or because my name is listed in the acknowledgements, or even because David Seidman and Jeff Hemmel are colleagues from way back. I’m pimping the Anti-Pirate Potato Cannon because, well, even though it’s written for kids, there’s plenty of stuff inside I…um…didn’t know. And I’m supposed to be a professional marine journalist.

I didn’t know, for instance, that you could use your cat as a weather forecasting tool. Nor did I know how to use a compact disc to signal for help. Nor how to make a barometer out of a soda bottle.

The book has plenty of obscure and absurd topics that will entertain kids, as well as practical information like how to tie a bowline and how to throw a cast net. All good stuff for the nautically inclined youth.

Pete McDonald is a contributing editor to Power & Motoryacht. Previously, he spent 11 years on the editorial staff of Boating. He has won multiple writing awards and holds a master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.