Sonderbooks Book Review of Mister Seahorse

Reviewed September 12, 2004.
Philomel Books, New York, 2004. 28 pages.
Available at Sembach Library (E CAR).
Sonderbooks Stand-out 2004, #8, Picture Books

Mister Seahorse is another beautiful collage-illustrated book by Eric Carle. In this book, Eric Carle highlights ocean fathers who care for their young.

The book begins when Mrs. Seahorse lays her eggs.

“‘Can I help?’ asked Mr. Seahorse.

“‘Oh, yes. Thank you!’ said Mrs. Seahorse
and she laid her eggs into a pouch on Mr. Seahorse’s belly.

“‘I’ll take good care of our eggs,’ said Mr. Seahorse, ‘I promise.’”

Mr. Seahorse swims on through the sea. He passes some sea creatures hidden by camouflage demonstrated with a design on a transparent page. But he also passes other sea fathers caring for their young in bizarre ways.

I like what Mr. Kurtus says to Mr. Seahorse’s greeting. “Mrs. Kurtus laid her eggs and I have stuck them on my head. Now I am taking good care of them until they hatch.”

The strange ways fish take care of their young are all presented very matter-of-factly. The bright colors make the book beautiful and pleasing to the eye. This book can be enjoyed by kids from toddlers all the way up to grade school. Even adults will be enchanted by the off-the-wall facts it presents. This book fully deserves its bestseller status.

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Book Reviews by Sondra Eklund

*****Mister Seahorse*

by Eric Carle