Shape of a Boy

Shape of a Boy is at once a wonderful travel memoir to far-off places all around the world that allows you to vicariously travel through the pages while travel is not possible, and a story about family and three young boys growing up, learning the important lessons in life. This is the story of Kate, her husband Neil, and three sons Josh, Ben and Freddie, who have each been incredibly lucky to be able to see all these places, and to have done so as a family.

The pages of the book are filled with fun stories, a bit of mischief here and there, exotic adventures and everything else you would want from a travel memoir. Unlike some other travel memoirs, that can quickly become a listing of 'and then I/we went here and this happened', there is more to this book. There is a lot of warmth, plenty of life lessons and significant growing up for each of the family members. A great little book if you are in the mood to be transported to a different place for a little bit.

I found this book to be quite delightful! The author is a wonderful storyteller who makes each of her destinations come fully to life. She also has a terrific sense of humor and an ability to describe the realities of being a parent. At times, I smiled or cringed remembering what it was like to have a young baby. At others, I had to remind myself that the author made it through a difficult experience because, of course, she had published this book.

Ms. Wickers is an adventurer. She worked as a travel writer and loved exotic places before becoming a parent and has happy memories of travels with her family when she was a child. The author wanted to show her own children amazing places and took her first son on his first trip when he was just three months old. Some of the destinations that the growing family visited included Israel and Jordan, Borneo, Sri Lanka, Japan and Cubs. This is a family that is ready to take on all that life offers.

I recommend this enjoyable book. It will be liked by travelers, both armchair and real, as well as parents. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this fun read.

This title will be published on 22 Mar 2022.

Kate Wickers has managed to write a delightful and inspiring book about travel with children. . Kate and her dear husband bring an unflappable attitude to travel with their three young boys. From calming crying babies on long flights to getting kids to roll with bad smells and strange foods, Kate has an answer for all. If you can't travel now, this is a great armchair read.