Tropical Terry - Children's Book Review and Giveaway

Age Range: 2 - 5 years
Grade Level: Preschool - Kindergarten
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Candlewick (May 14, 2019)

Coral Reef City is home to the most brilliant tropical fish in the ocean. Sparkling and multicolored, they swim around and around, showing off. And then there’s Terry. Small, blue, and ordinary, Terry spends his days playing hiding games with his friends and wishing the tropical fish would play with him, too. So with the help of his friends, Terry fashions a flashy, dazzling costume and transforms into Tropical Terry. But life as the center of attention isn’t quite everything Terry dreamed it would be — especially once Eddie the Eel shows up, hungry for dinner. In a bright, cheerful story, Jarvis uses his vibrant art and heartwarming wit to prove that sometimes the things you thought made you unremarkable are actually the most special qualities of all.

My Review:

Terry is just an ordinary fish, pretty content with playing games with his friends, a snail and a crab.  But Terry doesn't want to be any ordinary fish.  He wants to be like the tropical fish that swim by but don't play with him.  With some creative work, Terry uses scraps to design a costume that resembles a flashy tropical fish.  He then gets accepted into the cool crowd.  It's all fine and dandy until Eddie the Eel decides he wants some lunch, which so happens to be tropical fish.  Eddie dodges the disaster by relying on a game he played with his former friends.  In the end, Terry becomes friends with the tropical fish and goes back to being friends with his original pals.

Packed full of bright colored illustrations  among a blue background reminiscent of the sea, this book comes across with many great points.  For one, Terry learns that being popular doesn't (and shouldn't) require changing one's self.  Terry is able to fend off Eddie the Eel by using a simple game technique he learned from his true friends.  Terry shows readers that you can be small and original, but mighty and powerful at the same time.  It also goes to show that bullies (like Eddie the Eel) don't always get their way in the end.  I like that this book is fun, and enforces character and true friendship.

Win It!

One person will win a Tropical Terry hardcover children's book.

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA.*

I received book for review from Candlewick Press.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.
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