Sergio Makes a Splash by Edel Rodriguez

Sergio Makes a Splash by Edel Rodriguez
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (May 1, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0316066168
ISBN-13: 978-0316066167
Source of book: Review copy from publisher



In this adorable picture book, the title character, Sergio, a young penguin has a serious dilemma. He LOVES water--ice, baths, rain, puddles--but he doesn't love the "very deep kind." Why? Because he can't swim. Yep, that's right. Sergio is a penguin who can't swim. When his class goes on a field trip to the ocean, he is naturally frightened. But can a little encouragement from his teacher and classmates plus arm floaties, a snorkel, and life preserver give him the courage to jump in?

Edel Rodriguez's oil-based woodblock ink and digital media illustrations are fun and charming, and children will be drawn in by the bright aqua blue of the ocean that is the background throughout the book. And seriously...who can resist a penguin with arm and ankle floaties, a snorkle, and a polka-dotted life preserver?

This is a very fun book that could help give kids the courage to try something they may be afraid of, including taking that first plunge into the pool.

Wave by Suzy Lee

Wave by Suzy Lee
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 16, 2008)
ISBN-10: 081185924X
ISBN-13: 978-0811859240
Source of book: Review copy from publisher

This gorgeous and wordless picture book tells the story of a little girl's day at the beach. When she first arrives at the ocean, she's a little shy and uncertain as she looks at the daunting wave before her. As she grows more comfortable, she roars at the wave as it recedes into the ocean, and she finally musters up the courage to jump in and splash around. The wave, however, gets the last laugh and drenches her, but she soon forgets as she sees the treasure that washes ashore.

I have to tell you that this wordless book nearly rendered me speechless the first time I flipped through it. It's a universal story that every person who has been to the ocean will be familiar with. You don't NEED words to tell this story. The stunning images open up the senses and evoke emotion. I could smell the ocean, feel the spray on my face, hear the little girl's laughter, and feel her awe and reverence toward this powerful force of nature along with her delight.

Photo courtesy of Chronicle Books

It's the simplicity of the book that makes it truly powerful. The black and white panoramic drawings of the girl, her mother, and the seagulls are accented with splashes of the ocean's brilliant blue. When the wave finally engulfs the little girl at the end and recedes back into the ocean, the pages also become engulfed in blue--the sky, the girl's dress, the sea shells, etc.

This book makes me want to go to the beach. It conjures up my own memories of my childhood, and makes me reminisce about the innocence of childhood and the magic of the ocean. Accessible to children and parents of many cultures and languages and accessible to children who can't yet read or who are struggling with reading, I give Wave my highest recommendation.

Visit Suzy Lee's website to see more illustrations from Wave.


What other bloggers are saying:

Mindy's Book Journal: "A day at the beach has never been as lovely as it is in this book. Pair it with Flotsam or savor Wave on its own for its beautiful simplicity, but don’t pass this by. Perhaps a favorite of the year for me."


Do you have a review of Wave? If so, leave your link in the comments, and I'll include it here.

Sally and Dave, A Slug Story by Felice Arena

Sally and Dave, a Slug Story by Felice Arena

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Pub (March 1, 2008)
ISBN-10: 1933605715
ISBN-13: 978-1933605715

Sally the slug is the kind of girl…er slug…you love to hate. “She’s sensational at sports. She’s sleek, slim, and simply stunning.” You name it, she can do it superbly from shooting soccer goals to performing spectacular snowboard stunts. Oh, and she’s a little obnoxious in my humble opinion.

Her neighbor, Dave on the other hand is a “common fat slug.” His favorite activities include “sleeping sideways in his own slime…[and] “sidewalk sunbathing in summer.” He’s perfectly happy with his life, until one day, Sally makes a snide and insulting remark. It takes a scary situation and a heroic act for Dave to regain his confidence and for Sally to change her tune about this “slimy slacker” who turns out to be pretty darn “special.”

In addition to the engaging and fast-paced storyline, the cartoonish illustrations are hilarious. In one scene, Dave is in the bathtub sulking about Sally’s comments, a frown on his face, his shoulders hunched, and his googly eyes looking down—a pretty sad scene except “she’s a superfreak…superfreak…” is playing on the radio. Another great scene is of Dave sidewalk sunbathing. He’s wearing sunglasses and a colorful Hawaiian shirt and lounging in a chair with his hands behind his head (do slugs have limbs?). He’s even got a bottle of “Slug Screen” to protect his sensitive slimy skin from the scorching sun.

This book would make a great read aloud for younger children, and definitely cheer anyone up who’s had a particularly grumpy day. If you’re looking for a book that will make your child chuckle,Sally and Dave, a Slug Story would make a perfect choice.

What other bloggers are saying:

Book Buds Kidlit Reviews: “Sally and Dave: A Slug Story begs to be read aloud. Toddlers to emergent readers will enjoy hearing the hiss of the words as they stream by.”

Jen Robinson’s Book Page: “…This is a highly entertaining title that is sure to please preschoolers. I think that the fact that the main characters are slugs, with the hero a boy slug, will make this book especially pleasing to young boys, though I'm sure girls will like it, too.”