Working Boats

Explore ten incredible working boats—and discover how their crews, engines, and specialized equipment get important jobs done on the water.

“Boys and girls—and grown-ups—intrigued by the maritime world of the North Pacific will get much pleasure and a pack of insider knowledge from Tom Crestodina’s Working Boats.”
—The New York Times

Working Boats is an illustrated hardcover picture book that takes curious kids ages 4+ inside ten real watercraft through detailed cross sections, exploded views, and full-page scenes. Young readers will discover how each vessel works, what its crew does, and how its design helps it accomplish its unique mission.

Inside this fascinating boat book, kids will:

• Go behind the scenes of a Coast Guard rescue
• Explore a science research vessel and learn about its mission
• Discover what it takes to work aboard a crabbing boat
• See how water moves through a fireboat
• Learn about radar, diesel engines, pumps, mechanics, and water-safety equipment
• Meet the hardworking people who operate boats and experience daily life on board

Combining maritime science, engineering, technology, and real-world careers, this fact-filled guide makes complex machinery engaging and easy to understand. Its intricate illustrations encourage children to study every page and make new discoveries with each reading.

A standout among boat books for kids, Working Boats is a memorable gift for boys and girls who love vehicles, machines, transportation, engineering, ocean adventures, or learning how things work. It makes a perfect gift for birthdays, Christmas, classroom libraries, homeschool learning, and family reading.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs