Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Sea Serpent and Me
Illustrator: Catia Chien
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 7
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2008 ISBN: 978-0618723942
One day a little girl is just about to have a bath in the bathtub when a very small sea serpent drops out of the faucet and into the tub. Soon the girl and the little sea serpent are having the time of their life playing together in the water. After their bath is over, the little girl puts the sea serpent into an aquarium and he tells her how he came to end up in her bath. He also tells her that he misses the sea and she promises to take him back.
For the next few days it rains, and the little girl puts off taking the sea serpent to the beach. She enjoys his company so much, though she does notice that he is growing at a remarkable rate. In fact, in no time at all he is too big for the aquarium and has to be kept in the bathtub. It soon becomes clear that the little girl can no longer keep her friend in her house. He has to go back to the sea where he belongs.
This charming picture book tells the story of a friendship that crosses great boundaries and that becomes very strong in just a short period of time. Readers will be touched when they see how the two young ones struggle to let go, and how the little girl finally finds the courage to do what needs to be done.
With delightfully playful illustrations and two delightful main characters, this is a picture book that is a celebration of true friendship.
