Hooked on Books

April 15, 2023
Pearl the anglerfish lives in the twilight zone--no, not THAT one, the real one...the one that lies far beneath the sea. Pearl loves to read, using the glowing lure atop her head as a night light. But she can't seem to get away from pelagic pests. Everyone wants to take a peek at her book (a scallop shell), but Pearl doesn't want to share her long-awaited story about a kraken's "quest for happiness" with anyone. To what depths must she go in order to get some peace and quiet? It helps that she has her own light source--especially since she's trying to find the deepest, darkest spot in all the ocean. Eels, jellyfish, and mollusks all want to get in on the fun. And the yeti crabs mistake Pearl's lure for a nifty disco ball! Aghhhh! Finally, she ditches the determined but unwanted denizens of the midnight zone and finds herself in the tranquil darkness of the abyss. But wait--when did blissful silence become just plain lonely? "She ached for someone--anyone--to bug her about her book." Returning home, Pearl realizes that sharing doesn't have to be annoying--well, not all the time. Litten's whimsical illustrations, made up of adorably anthropomorphic undersea creatures, make wonderful use of light and dark. Coupled with Greanias' adept storytelling, they capture the perfect balance between frustration and friendly compromise. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Bookworms--whether on land or in the sea--will feel seen. (Picture book. 4-8)

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June 23, 2023

PreS-Gr 3-Pearl the angler fish really wants to read her book, but everyone in the ocean wants to talk to her or distract her in some way and she is getting really impatient. She dives deeper and deeper, introducing readers to some of the amazing creatures that live in the darkest parts of the ocean. Pearl eventually finishes her story and realizes that it would be even more fun to share the book with others. The illustrations of the sea inhabitants are dazzling-most have an intensely dark background to reflect the part of the ocean where the sunlight doesn't penetrate. The vividly colored creatures nearly leap off the pages. Readers will enjoy the humorous way Pearl tries to find her own space as well as the variety of other animals she encounters. VERDICT This fun and vividly illustrated book is a strong choice for libraries seeking books about sea creatures, respecting each others' personal space, or the joy of sharing reading with others.-Debbie Tanner

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