Boogy & Tee and Twinkle & Hew

Written by Kathy Stinson

Illustrated by Mark Hoffman

Groundwood Books

978-1-77946-036-3

40 pp.

Ages 3–6

September 2026 

 

 

"Stop saying that we are all in the same boat.

We're all in the same storm.

But we're not all in the same boat."

— Greta Thunberg

 

 

Are we all in the same boat? People often say, "We're all in the same boat" as a way to show shared experience and empathy for a shared difficulty. But how often is this true? Kathy Stinson's latest offering, Boogy & Tee and Twinkle & Hew, challenges the notion of equal experience, as did Greta Thunberg in her quote.

 

In rhyming verse reminiscent of Edward Lear's The Owl and the Pussycat, Kathy Stinson begins her story with two pairs heading out onto the sea in good weather. Boogy and Tee set out on their luxury yacht for a cruise, while siblings Twinkle and Hew leave their shack to fish for food. But when a storm hits, the seagoers experience difference circumstances.

Illustration by Mark Hoffman from Boogy & Tee and Twinkle & Hew, written by Kathy Stinson

Twinkle and Hew's old fishing boat falls apart and the two worry they will never see shore again. Boogy and Tee can see no reason to fret about the storm. Though Twinkle and Hew are still in dire straits after the storm passes, a clear sky of brilliant stars appears, and reactions of all seagoers are very separate.

 

But, when the yacht hits a rock, Boogy laments the loss of his things. On the other hand, Tee notices Twinkle and Hew and aims to help them. By helping them, Tee finds a way to save the two siblings and herself and Boogy.

Illustration by Mark Hoffman from Boogy & Tee and Twinkle & Hew, written by Kathy Stinson

While Kathy Stinson's story may be taken as one of cooperation and compassion—important virtues to convey—it is an allegory of how our world is operating. Too often there is a separation of the haves and the have-nots. How they perceive the world, both its marvels and its menaces, can be embedded in the inequality. Boogy and Tee are wealthy, travel the sea by luxury yacht, and barely notice the storm. Even when the storm passes and they witness the glory of a star-filled sky, Boogy imagines owning all of the stars. On the other hand, Twinkle and Hew have to go out on their not-so-fine fine boat to fish for  food. Even when clinging to their wrecked boat, the siblings think about what they mean to each other.

Hew's boat fell apart, breaking more than one heart.

     The two wept like never before.

They held each other, said, "Love you, my brother."

     Would they every get back to shore,

          To shore?

Would they every get back to shore? (pg. 16) 

How Kathy Stinson ends her story is one of positive expectation. She shows us that the inequality that drives so much of our contemporary world can be eclipsed with kindness and cooperation. We've seen it with challenges like the COVID pandemic and major power outages, but whether it lasts only as long as the metaphorical storm will only become evident in real time. 

Illustration by Mark Hoffman from Boogy & Tee and Twinkle & Hew, written by Kathy Stinson

New Hampshire illustrator Mark Hoffman uses collaged painted paper and coloured pencil to create both metaphorical and literal clashes, both between people and of the sea waves. The angularity of cut paper creates a tension that is part of both the sea and the seagoers. And with colour, Mark Hoffman gives us atmosphere, both strained and coordinated.

 

Here's hoping that we can all work towards a world in which we all weather the inevitable storms on safe and strong boats and in partnership with others.