Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent

by Bill Peet

A shark accuses Cyrus of cowardice because he won't sink any ships. The kindly sea serpent almost succumbs to peer pressure, but learns at last to be himself.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy, Kids, Animals, Dragons

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Bill Peet was an American children's book illustrator and a story writer for Disney Studios. He joined Disney in 1937 and worked on The Jungle Book, Song of the South, Cinderella, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone, Goliath II, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, Pinocchio, Fantasia, The Three Caballeros, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and other stories.

After successes developing short stories for Disney, Peet had his first book published, Hubert's Hair Raising Adventure.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Peet is back in top form here. This is a good one. We meet Cyrus, a happy go lucky sea serpent. One day he is looking for something to do and he meets a nasty shark who tells him to sink a ship for fun. Cyrus doesn’t want to and the shark calls him a sissy. Cyrus decides he’ll do it. So he goes to land and finds a ship to sink. But he hears all these poor people on the boat looking for a better future and an old man on the shore curses the boat on the way out saying they’ll find dolldrums and storms, and pirates too and never make it. Cyrus decides to help these people out. He watches over them. They get across the sea thanks to him.

It’s a wonderful tale and it really would make a great Disney short. I wish they would make it into one. It is simply begging to be a cartoon. Bill was a Disney animator, not one of the 9, but a respected artist in the company. So this is like a script for a cartoon. Cyrus has a heart of gold.

The nephew adored this. He loved Cyrus and the fact that he destroyed the pirate ship. Cyrus was a real hero. He loved the serpent Cyrus was. The nephew gave this 5 stars himself. He wants to read this story again.

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent” is an adventurous book from Bill Peet about how a friendly sea serpent who at first wanted to wreck a ship to have fun, ends up trying to protect a ship full of passengers looking for a new land. “Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent” may be tough for smaller children to read but older children would most likely enjoy the adventurous scenes contained in this book.

Bill Peet’s writing is extremely inventive and exciting as he writes the story about a sea serpent that is willing to risk his life to protect the people on a voyage for a new life. Bill Peet is extremely inventive whenever he uses various words such as “doldrums” and “bedraggled” to make the story more clever and dramatic. Also, the idea that Cyrus is more like a friendly sea serpent rather than a vicious one makes the story more creative as people usually believe that sea monsters are meant to be scary. Bill Peet’s illustrations are beautiful and colorful, especially of the scenes where he illustrates the sea as a calm ocean for the water is beautifully blue and during the storm scenes, he makes the sky dark and the ocean smashing viciously at the Primrose.



Parents should know that there are many advanced words in this book and that this book may be a bit too long for younger children to handle. Some of the advanced words mentioned are “pilings,” “doldrums,” and “bedraggled” and young children may not understand what those words mean. Parents should write down the advanced words down on a piece of paper and define them so that the younger children would understand what the word means and therefore, it would make it easier for them to read this book. Also, the length of this book is a bit too long than any normal children’s book and that may be a bit too tiresome for some small children to handle, so parents should read at least a few pages a day so that children would not get too tired of this book.

“Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent” is a wonderful story about the power of friendship and how it is better to help people rather than be cruel towards them and children would easily enjoy this book for ages. I would recommend this book to children ages seven and up since the advanced words and the length of the book may be a bit too challenging for smaller children.

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

[Cecelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there’s probably no one quite as wonderful at drawing ‘beasties’ as Bill Peet. The man was genius. I first fell in love with his drawings without even knowing who he was. How’s that? You know those little monster sidekicks in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty who get it wrong, and face the wrath of Maleficent? They’re all Bill Peet. I can still hear that one who ignorantly reports that they looked in “all the cradles.”

Yeah, he’s the same man who was a fully credited animator on the majority of films during Walt Disney’s animation heyday, and also the author of over thirty children’s books. One, his autobiography, was Caldecott Honor book in 1990. But what does that mean in real terms? Well…my brothers LOVED Bill Peet. Whereas my sister and I would beg for just one more chapter of a Narnia book, my brothers would beg my mother to reread a Peet classic like Merle the High Flying Squirrel or The Whingdingdilly.

Another favorite was Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent, which is as awesome as its title makes it sound. The story is pretty simple – sea serpent wants something cool and different in life, but doesn’t want to take part in the usual sea serpent-y activities, like terrorizing ships and ruling the seas. So he becomes involved with the fate of one particular boat, and many adventures and calamities ensue.

Cyrus is basically a picture book, so I can’t say much else without spoiling it. But know that the illustrations are charming, entertaining and silly/fun. The story is quirky and unexpected and perfect. I’d recommend this book for any kid, big kid, or kid at heart. And per my family’s experience: great for energetic young ones who have a hard time sitting still. Meet and love Bill Peet and Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent!

[J. Boo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through what amounts to contrariness, a bored sea serpent decides to watch over a Mayflower-like ship heading across the ocean, keeping it safe from pirates, storms, and the doldrums.

Yes, the doldrums - Peet doesn't dumb down the vocabulary of his children's books; generally the words are going to be fairly clear from context, though.

"Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent" was very popular among my dinosaur-and-monster-loving DS2(5) and DD2(3), who were both annoyed at its being returned to the library and hence not available for even more re-reads. (I should have kept it another week.)

I hadn't heard of Bill Peet before, but a whole shelf of his books are still at our local library branch, unusual for any works older than yesterday. I suspect Peet survives purging not only on quality, but because of his long association with classic Walt Disney films. He worked there for nearly thirty years, a time period covering from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" through "The Jungle Book".

Jul 2022 update - it's still captivating. Read it twice in one day to DD2 (4), with DS2(7) listening in the second time, then one more time the following day to the both of them.

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cyrus is a bit bored with his life as a sea serpent, so he takes a dare from a shark to attack a passenger ship about to leave the dock. Will he go through with his plans? Or will he wind up helping the sea?

While Cyrus’s reasons for being near the ship aren’t good, the end result is great. There is a very subtle lesson in peer pressure vs. doing the right thing near the beginning. Adults will pick up on the outline early, but everyone will enjoy watching Cyrus in action. Bill Peet’s illustrations add some great humor to an enjoyable story.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cyrus is another memorable and lovable character created by the brilliant writer and artist, Bill Peet. This is a fun adventure story and I loved the illustrations: Cyrus is a hoot and very endearing. The last line in the story is particularly funny. I think that this story will entertain children of all ages. After How Droofus the Dragon Lost His Head, this might be my next favorite book by this author/illustrator.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny story, positive messages, cute illustrations -- pretty much an all-around winner.
Peet was quite prolific and many of his books were in print when I was little, so I'm surprised I didn't read him as a child.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've recently discovered Bill Peet's books and have been steadily borrowing them from our local library as we find them. We borrowed this book as part of a kit with a paperback book with ISBN 0395313899 / ISBN13 6450395313893 and an audiocassette with narration by Don Wesson.

We enjoyed this fantastic story, although it did seem to be a bit long. I liked listening to the book narrated on audiocassette and we really enjoyed the music and sound effects, but there seemed to be some rather long pauses in the story (perhaps it was just the tape.) The illustrations depict an older time, giving this story a bit of a folklore kind of feel to it.

Overall, it was an entertaining tale and we will certainly look for more books by Bill Peet soon.

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabe's favorite! This is a story about an unlikely hero who faithfully makes kind choices to help those in danger (instead of destroying things just to prove he can).

Note: an antagonistic shark calls Cyrus a sissy. Cyrus decides to give in to the shark's taunting and prove he's not a sissy by wrecking a ship. An old man shouts foreboding predictions at the people on the ship. The captain shouts, "The devil take you!" at the pirates. Cyrus calls the pirates "scurvy sea dogs." One ship gets blasted and another destroyed (nobody is mentioned as having died). The captain remarks, "After all, if he hadn't wrecked the pirate ship the devils would have slit our gullets."

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join Cyrus on an unforgettable adventure as he helps a ship full of travelers on their perilous journey.



Another wonderful, classic tale by Peet. His artwork always makes me want to break out the colored pencils and go to town!

[Sarah Lancaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew such a small book could hold so much information? The character Cyrus reminds me of many people and students trying to find what they are meant to be or meant to do, or just being bored turning into an adventure. Man i love Bill Peet!

[Tiffany Lynn Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another childhood favorite.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3* art
3* story

Bill Peet never fails to create an unusual main character or odd plot-line. We will read everything of his we can get our hands on because of this.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Peet has always been a favorite children's book writer of mine, and it felt so good to come back and read this classic so many years later! I would recommend it to everybody- all ages!

[Missy LeBlanc Ivey · Rating 4 out of 5]

2023 - 1970’s Immersion Reading Challenge

Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent by Bill Peet (1975) 46 pages.

AR POINTS: 0.5 READING LEVEL 4.6

What kid wouldn’t enjoy a sweet little sea serpent adventure story?

After being called a sissy by a shark, Cyrus decides to prove him wrong and makes plans to sink a ship and have a little fun with the passengers. But, when a ship full of poor people seeking their fortune come upon a few troubles at sea, Cyrus takes heart and decides to save them and even helps to fulfill their journey.

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may have just bounced up into one of my top favorite children’s books!

[Spencer Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, delightful, and full of fun-to-say and informative, nautical vocabulary words for kids and adults.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute story about Cyrus and a ship of passengers. The passengers aren't sure what to think of Cyrus. He's a sea serpent. Does that mean he is their friend or an enemy? Find out in this high sea adventure.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

It as been too long ago since I started reading and so unfortunately I cannot say whether it was Cyrus or Serendipity who was my first sea serpent. Something has me leaning towards Cyrus indirectly due to the autobiography that I read but then again it was Serendipity who I have read again in my restart of book counting so I guess I can honor either serpent.

The one reason that I mention both sea serpents is that both are great stories that have beautiful lessons but as much as they may have in common there are noticeable differences. Serendipity is smooth, brightly colorful, innocence and gentle while Cyrus is more ragged made, slightly less colorful and in the best of pictures he seems like he may have a rock or two under his skin with his sourish looks. One is definitely older than the other and both are completely different in looks but it would be fun to see if someone was able to do some type of fan art with both together but I am totally digressing now.

Cyrus is an interesting story since you don't get the age of him but there is a feeling that he is older than we can imagine since what some of us would love to do is something that he is tired with. And just like anyone needing a change in life Cyrus starts off to find it while getting talked around into doing what he knows is against his morals but just to save pride agrees abstractedly that he will prove the world wrong.

Fortunately for the people another old crank helps to change his mind and the little sea serpent finds many lessons that keep him on the right and narrow. Although some of the lessons may not make sense to children right at the moment, adults will most definitely be able to agree with the events as they happen.

All in all it was wonderful to be able to read about Cyrus again and to remember just how much one can attempt to change and not be able to hide their real colors and that what makes others sometimes see us as deserving may be our actual talents come to light.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable sea serpent, fun story about a kind sea serpent who is peer-pressured by a shark to doom a ship. When he's about to do it, an old man on the pier "curses" the ship - telling the captain that the ship will go down, by storm, or pirates, or the doldrums (lack of wind). Cyrus decides to prove the old man wrong and accompanies the ship on its journey (from Europe to the New World) to protect it. And he does.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun introduction to sea-faring in days gone by. The sea serpent has a kind heart and is quick to spot trouble and offer assistance.

Instead of a ship named the 'Mayflower,' this one is named the 'Primrose.' The captain, crew, and passengers waved goodbye to Cyrus while standing on a large rock. Plymouth rock, of course. No reference to religion, just to finding a better life.

[Anne Nydam · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was in third grade, I wrote a letter to the author telling him this was my favorite book. He responded with a very nice hand-written note and some autographed sketches. Now my children love this book, too.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

After seeing Cyrus in giant Lego form, I was told that it was shocking/appalling/indecent/just plain crazy that I had never read this book before. So I read it! Fun, exciting story, great pictures. I only wish I had known about it before I saw the giant sea serpent in Florida!

[Jeanelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book as a kid. I swear, I must've read it at least twenty times back then. Such a cute little story. I'll have to hunt down a copy for my children someday. Hopefully they'll like Cyrus as much as I did.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cyrus the sea serpent saves the ship from the doldrums, the storm, and the pirates as it makes its voyage to a new land. Rather than destroy ships, he showed how much he cared for others.
Illustrations are not as well done as other Peet books but the story comes through.

[Mikecorban · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Children book authors who was previously a Disney Artist.

[Tamischall]

A fav.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable. Talked with Kate about how to respond when friends/acquaintances taunt us into doing something that we shouldn't.

[Maki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book about helping others...

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pilgrims had a sea serpent to thank for their safe passage across the ocean.