Lilting language and lyrical illustrations make this a book of great beauty and warmth. Grandpa loves his boat, The Periwinkle, and he sails in her every day, but he loves Grandma even more: 'She's a beauty,' he would laugh. 'But she's not as fine as my real beauty here!' The little boy loves the boat too, and going out in it with Grandpa. But when Grandpa gets very old and tired and dies, the boat gets tired and neglected too. It is dad who realises that their memories of Grandad are wrapped up in The Periwinkle and that renewing her will renew their happiest memories. He and the little boy set about the repairs, and Grandma paints the finishing touches. Together, the family sails away, and Grandpa seems to be with them, shouting to the seagulls: 'Isn't she a beauty...But not as fine as my real beauties here!' Gentle and subtle and quite, quite moving.