Trim Saves the Day

Gr 1-3–In her first series of early chapter books, Hopkinson gives children a taste of adventure as well as life on the high seas through the character of Trim—a lively black cat who has joined a ship’s crew. The five-chapter story is based on the real adventures of British Captain Flinders, who sailed with his beloved cat while charting the coast of Australia from 1801 to 1803. As in previous titles, Hopkinson shows how everyone on a ship, from the human crew to the animal passengers, must work together. This time, Trim wants to be helpful but ends up being the opposite. He gets water everywhere while trying to help mop the deck, and he knocks over the plant specimen that the ship’s artist is drawing. Finally, Trim does help by yowling when he notices water leaking from the ship’s cask. The leak is fixed, and the crew’s supply of freshwater is assured. Trim is content knowing he solved a “really big problem.” The story’s charm is enhanced by colorful illustrations that capture Trim’s playful spirit and period details, from the captain’s hat to the ship’s rigging.