Born on the Crest of a Wave

MWSA Review

Born on the Crest of a Wave is a children’s book illustrated by Jonathan Kehoe, a 2001 graduate of the United State Naval Academy and subsequent surface warfare officer and EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) officer. Seeking a way to bring awareness and funding to the EOD Warrior Foundation, Kehoe illustrated this book and donates a portion of the proceeds.

The poem on which the illustrations are based is included in the Navy Institute Press’s publication Reef Points, a small booklet of quotes, poems, and facts that all midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy are expected to memorize before graduation. This required knowledge is known at the academy as the “rates” and the book is based on the Navy rate: How long have you been in the Navy.

Each page illustrates a line of the poem. The drawings, which are colorful, childlike, and highly detailed, will hold a young person’s interest, in part because most pages contain a hidden crab under the sea or topside. Definitions of nautical terms appear on most pages as well.

Born on the Crest of a Wave provides those who have served in the Navy or Marine Corps an opportunity to share a part of their world with their children or grandchildren. There is a space in the beginning of the book for writing a little about your own personal history and sharing what the Navy rate means to you. Younger children especially will be delighted to hear the poem in your best pirate voice.

Reviewed by: Betsy Beard (2015)

Author's Summary

I took the Navy rate, "How long have you been in the Navy?" and illustrated the rate/poem. I wrote in the book, "Born on the Crest of a Wave" what the rate meant to me as both a father and a sailor and wanted an educational way that I could connect with my children and all children of the Navy and Marine Corp family, I did this by presenting the rate with colorful illustrations and definitions of meanings making it both educational and fun. The author of the rate is unknown (I am not the author of the rate nor am I claiming to be! I only authored the "Illustrator's Note" portion in the book of what the rate means to me...) additionally, I received permission from the Naval Institute Press to publish my book. Thank you for time and consideration.