Title: Salty Seas and His Heroic Friends
Author: Lynda Wurster Deniger
Illustrator: Paulette Ferguson
Publisher: His Publishing Company, 2011
Ages: 3-5
Themes: shrimping, sea dangers, teamwork, friendship, Louisiana
Opening Lines:
Way down at the very, very very bottom of Louisiana, where the Gulf of Mexico kisses Grand Isle, lived a little shrimp boat named Salty Seas.
Synopsis:
It’s shrimp season and after the big Blessing of the Fleet ceremony and a huge Cajun meal with dancing, Salty Seas, Captain Charley and their friends Patti Pelican, Dottie Dolphin and Sammy Seagull set out to fish. Captain Charley flings out his nets, while the animal friends follow, play and eat. Soon Captain Charley signals that it’s time to pull in the nets. Salty is anxious to see what the day’s catch looks like when a wave hits the boat and Captain Charley is knocked overboard. Dottie, Patti and Sammy swiftly take action. Dottie swims toward Captain Charley to protect him from sharks as Patti and Sammy fly after Salty. Salty is, however, set on autopilot, so how can he return to pick Charley out of the dangerous waters?
Why I like this book:
I think an important aspect of multicultural books is stories about different regions/states in each nation, not just different ethnicities. This is a super story from Louisiana – a fun look into some Cajun culture and I enjoyed the scenes of the shrimping ceremony and festivities. There are also some details about shrimping, a very important industry for so many in this region. Finally, children will enjoy the commitment and courage of Captain Charley’s friends, when he is in danger.
The muted tones and realism of the illustrations bring this southern fishing community to life.
Activities/Resources:
The book includes an audio CD narration and Salty Seas’ own song.
Check out this video of author, presenting this book to some kids.
Games and Activities for kids about Louisiana
Fun Facts about Louisiana for kids. Did you know it was called the Pelican State?
http://www.saltyseasandfriends.com/
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
This book has been provided to me free of charge by the author in exchange for an honest review of the work.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
I love the sound of this, you do find really interesting ones. Thanks, Joanna!
I’m interested to see how the book handles the blend of realism and fantasy (the “thinking” boat). Now I’ve got Forrest Gump in my head.
It does have a lot of anthropomorphism, Wendy, but the fantasy doesn’t jar with the realism at all.
Sounds wonderful, Joanna. Thanks again for broadening our world view!
I will be checking this out on your good recommendation, but can I say something? The cover font gives me the heebie-jeebies (is that how that’s spelled?).
I love stories about Louisiana and the Cajan culture. Sounds like an entertaining and educational book. Like your links. And know I didn’t know it was called the Pelican State. The culture is so different, I think that’s why I love to read novels set in Louisiana.
This is my first PB about Louisiana, so I learnt a lot, Pat, and makes me want to visit the state even more.
What a beautiful book, and what a fantastic way to learn about different parts of the country. Thanks, Joanna!
This one sounds great! Informational, adventurous, character-driven, and yet regional in scope. I love when flavors of a certain time or place are wrapped up in a great story, rather than just being about a subject. That’s what kids look for—a great story! Thanks for sharing this one, Joanna.
This is great book! 😀 Did you read Ms. Deniger’s other book – “Patti Pelican and the Gulf Oil Spill”? I think you’d like that one too! Great pick!
I have, Erik, and I am reviewing it in April to coincided with the anniversary of the oil spill.
This sounds like an intriguing book. I’m going to check it out, too. Thanks!
Very interesting-sounding book. Yipes — the part about Salty being set on auto-pilot makes me wonder how they can ever save Captain Charley!