A children's book with a nautical theme is now available in Bermuda. Sidney the Sailboat is illustrated by Bermudian Patricia DeCosta, and written by Mark Booth, from South-End-On-Sea, England, who has lived on the island for 10 years.

DeCosta has done a truly commendable job. All of her water colour illustrations reflect not only the personality of the characters but the Bermudian environment in which they live.

The book is also designed by Bermudian Daron Lowe.

Mr. Booth first told the story to his daughter at bed-time. Eventually he committed it to paper and had it published by the Bermuda Publishing Company Limited, which has published 5,000 copies.

The book follows in the grand tradition of children's books about little engines and tugboats that pulled and chugged in spite of their handicaps.

In the book, Sidney The Sailboat, the hero, experiences humiliation at the hands, or masts, of the local bully Razor.

"All you'll ever be is drift-wood,'' says the evil Razor the racing boat. If Sidney is a metaphor for anything it is a neglected and abused child. Sidney reaches his full potential and eventual triumph over Razor when he is adopted by Captain Haggard a grisly but lovable old sea-captain. Under the love and attention of Captain Haggard, Sidney transforms into the perfect sailing craft, although essentially he just looks as if he's had a new paint job.

This book about a boat manages to convey most of the major human emotions, such as jealousy, loneliness, anger and joy. And of course the book ends with Rebecca, the beautiful bigger sailboat, eying Sidney with interest; Razor the bully looks on in fury and Sidney looks away, oblivious to it all, smug in his new make over.

The book, priced at $9.95, can be found in local stores.