This is a very pretty book. The illustrations are wondrous and imaginative. An old man and his pet sea gull seem to pass messages to a young boy who lives in a city with his pet cat. The old man draws a picture of a fantastical boat which he puts in a bottle and then out to sea. Somehow the letter arrives at the door of the boy. He loves the picture of the boat and draws himself and the cat on the deck. He then tapes the picture above his bed when he goes to sleep. In his dream, he goes to the shore where the old man lives. They are very excited to see each other. The boy gives the old man the altered picture of the boat. The boy flies away and wakes up. The old man tapes the picture above his bed that night. Just like a dream, you're not quite sure exactly what happened once the book was over. Was the old man communicating with himself as a boy through his dreams? Was that his grandson? Who knows? 
 This would be better as a one-on-one read, especially since there are no words. That way you can pay more attention to the intricate details of the illustrations.