When a tiny sea serpent tumbles from the bathtub faucet, a little girl finds an unexpected friend. As rainy day after rainy day passes, the two sin...
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Oct 05, 2010
Abigail
rated it: 
"On Tuesday, as I was about to climb into the bath, a sea serpent dropped out of the faucet and into the tub," begins this magically matter-of-fact story which, when paired with Catia Chien's charming watercolor artwork, makes for a delightful picture-book that deserves to be better known. Dashka Slater demonstrates considerable skill in crafting her narrative, with hardly a word out of place in a brief text that still manages to evoke the strong sense of love that develops between gir
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Jan 04, 2011
An Abundance of Books
rated it: 
On Tuesday a tiny sea serpent drops into a little girl's bathtub. He was tiny, and beautiful, they played together, and at night he slept in the fish tank next to her bed. A tornado had swept the tiny creature into the clouds, where he floated over "green jungles and silvery cities" to finally fall with the rain into a lake in which there was a pipe that "whooshed him along and splashed him down into my tub." The little girl knows her new friend misses the sea because that is
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Aug 22, 2009
Sue
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Title: The Sea Serpent and Me
Author: Dashka Slater (illiustrated by Catia Chien)
Genre: Children’s
Challenges: PB & J Challenge, 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, A to Z Reading Challenge, 2009 Support Your Local Library, 20 Books in 2009, Read Your Name Challenge 2009, Pages Read Challenge, Young Reader's Challenge 2009, Read a Book a Month Challenge, Summer Vacation Reading Challenge 2009
Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: 40
Published: 2008
From the ins More...
Author: Dashka Slater (illiustrated by Catia Chien)
Genre: Children’s
Challenges: PB & J Challenge, 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, A to Z Reading Challenge, 2009 Support Your Local Library, 20 Books in 2009, Read Your Name Challenge 2009, Pages Read Challenge, Young Reader's Challenge 2009, Read a Book a Month Challenge, Summer Vacation Reading Challenge 2009
Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: 40
Published: 2008
From the ins More...
Nov 01, 2009
Elizabeth
rated it:
This book was fantastic for a few reasons:
1.) illustration—the images were unlike any other book I've seen; the ocean creatures were especially well-done in a very artistic way without being strange or scary. I loved the color palette, too.
2.) story—it had a very imaginative, unique feel to it. I didn't feel at any point that it fit into some sort of prescribed formula. The story is very strange, but without being told in a strange way. If that makes any sense.
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1.) illustration—the images were unlike any other book I've seen; the ocean creatures were especially well-done in a very artistic way without being strange or scary. I loved the color palette, too.
2.) story—it had a very imaginative, unique feel to it. I didn't feel at any point that it fit into some sort of prescribed formula. The story is very strange, but without being told in a strange way. If that makes any sense.
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Nov 08, 2010
Kathryn
rated it:
Loved this imaginative, sweet story about a young girl who finds a baby sea serpent in her bathtub. As the sea serpent grows, their friendship develops; as does the obviousness that the sea serpent cannot stay in the girl's bathroom forever. This has one of those bittersweet endings where I felt like cheering and crying at the same time as it shows the enduring bond of friendship and the selflessness true friends show for one another. The illustrations are charming and magical. A winner!
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Apr 22, 2009
Dashka
rated it:
Of course I love it -- I wrote it! And I'm delighted that it was a finalist for a Cybil award as well as being a Junior Library Guild Selection. It is also on the Librarians' Choices list of the 100 best books for children and young adults for 2008. You can find whole lot of terrific reviews plus a free teacher's guide, and suggestions of sea serpent crafts and activities on my website: www.dashkaslater.com. I'll be hosting a Q&A soon -- watch for it!
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Apr 21, 2009
Natalie
rated it:
I've read way too many books about "letting go" today. This one was probably the most fantastic of them all but hit home in a real way. Those are often the best.
The emotional aside, it's such a fun story! A little sea monster comes out the water drain while a girl is taking a bath. Early on, they decide that the monster must go back to live in the sea, but it gets bigger and bigger each day as the little girl puts off parting with her new friend.
The emotional aside, it's such a fun story! A little sea monster comes out the water drain while a girl is taking a bath. Early on, they decide that the monster must go back to live in the sea, but it gets bigger and bigger each day as the little girl puts off parting with her new friend.
Jan 03, 2009
Tara
rated it:
A story of friendship beautifully told and illustrated. The little girl and sea serpent become close friends and confidants, but they both know that their time together is limited, as, "people need towels, and dry clothes, and dinner, and sea serpents belong in the sea". A lovely story about the sacrifices friends sometimes need to make. And really, who hasn't dreamed of having a sea serpent for a pet?
Jun 23, 2011
Raegan
rated it:
Nice picture book about finding a friend the flourishing of that friendship and then needing to say goodbye! Nice bright pictures! Will use as one of books I read for Summer Programs as it compliments program theme and overal Summer Reading Club Theme: Splash, Celebrate Summer!
May 21, 2009
Beth
rated it: 
Lovely, original story about a girl who makes friends with the tiny sea serpent that comes through her bath faucet...and grows and grows.
Pretty watercolor-style illustrations, lyrical text, and a warm relationship between the girl and sea serpent make this an enjoyable story.
Pretty watercolor-style illustrations, lyrical text, and a warm relationship between the girl and sea serpent make this an enjoyable story.
Jan 30, 2012
Clarissa
rated it:
So, I don't usually include the picture books that I pick up from the library on my good reads list. However, I just read this one to my two little boys and had the darnedest time not breaking down as I finished reading. So, so sweet. LOVED it.
Apr 11, 2010
Kathee
rated it:
This is a sweet book for youngsters who need to learn the bitter sweet lesson of letting go for the good of someone (here a sea serepent) that you love. Maybe it's parents who will learn the lesson while reading the book aloud.
Dec 09, 2011
Bill
rated it:
This has been a favorite of my girls for some time now. It's a sweet story of love and letting go. The illustrations are beautiful too.
Be careful though: Amy & I both tear up nearly every time we read it!
Be careful though: Amy & I both tear up nearly every time we read it!
Jan 20, 2009
Cindi
rated it:
Great watercolors.
I watched my daughters eyes brighten in amazement when the sea serpent came out of the faucet. My son pointed out some nice similes.
Just a soothing, nice story!
I watched my daughters eyes brighten in amazement when the sea serpent came out of the faucet. My son pointed out some nice similes.
Just a soothing, nice story!
Apr 15, 2009
Samantha
rated it:
Another one I reviewed for the collection and really enjoyed. A beautiful story about growing up and letting go. Nominated for the Maine Chickadee Award 2009-2010
Nov 29, 2008
Phuong
rated it:
Such a sweet and fun book. Parents will note that the plot is one big metaphor about parenting.
Apr 09, 2011
Emily
rated it:
Such a cute book! Really beautifully written and such a sweet simple story for little ones.
Apr 08, 2010
Ariel
rated it:
Very cute children's book, I love the illustrations, and the story itself reminds me of parenthood.
Jan 02, 2009
Laura
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I loved this book the first time I read it and I'm THRILLED that the Cybils honored it!
Sep 11, 2010
Inspired Kathy
rated it:
4 Stars because I love the illustrations in this book. Some of my favorite colors.
Dec 31, 2009
Relyn
rated it:
This book was fun with great illustrations. Nothing breathtaking. Just nice.
Sep 11, 2008
Tricia
rated it: 
would it not totally freak out children that a snake falls into the bathtub from the sea?!?!!? this is a book with deep meaning that adults would grasp (true friendship) but is lost on children, who will see the sea serpent growing from worm-sized to whale-sized and gain only a hint of the relationship aspect of the tale, methinks. i'm surprised it didn't illicit nightmares from the girls like bambi. on a positive note, if i must have one, the book's illustrations are surreal and peaceful.
Sep 23, 2008
Marie
rated it:
A tale like they are rarely told these days. The relationship between the girl and the sea serpent is beautifully and richly developed with just a scant few phrases. The language is poetic. The girl shows a great maturity in helping the sea serpent to return to his home, though she will miss him terribly. The story echoes that of a parent raising a child, then encouraging the young adult to set out on his/her own. A gem of a book.
Aug 08, 2008
Denise
rated it:
This a tad too long for preschool storytime, but would work for K-3. It's a story of friendship between a child and a sea serpent. Although a very unlikely pairing, the illustrations are beautiful and the story is touching. The child learns to let go and do what's right for the serpent.
Jul 21, 2008
Rachel
rated it:
Nice story about a girl who befriends a quickly growing sea serpent. The illustrations are beautiful with strong colors and movement that convey lots of imagination. The stories theme however is a obvious and seems more of a message for adults than for children
Sep 03, 2008
Susan
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I love this book. Not the rollicking fun of Kellogg's The Mysterious Tadpole, but it has its own special magic. I like anything Loch Ness monsterishy, and I love a children's story with that anything and everything might happen magical sensibility.
Oct 09, 2008
Kris
rated it:
What a gentle, whimsical, lovely story! The art is flowing and fun, and the author doesn't write down to her audience. Just right!
Sep 30, 2008
Joelle
rated it:
I was so enchanted by this book! The watercolor illustrations are just gorgeous and match the wonderful text beautifully.
Sep 09, 2008
Laura
rated it:
A story about growing up and letting go. Makes me a little misty when I read it. Yeah, I'm a sap like that.
