When entering a bookstore you may be inundated with new releases. This may only keep you to certain parts of the bookstore or your favorite e-book site. Instead venture out to the picture book section. You may just find a buried treasure. That said, marine life is fascinating. Different types of fish all living together is a true example of the circle of life. Large fish eat small fish, they poop and apparently a particular crab bakes.Created, written and illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi ‘Crab Cake’ is a delightful, realistic look at what happens under the sea.
This picture book by Tsurumi has well-drawn illustrations of lobsters, octopi, sharks, and of course a special crab. Each page is rich with vivid, movable imagery. It’s as if you can feel the fluidity of the ocean. This oceanic microcosm is brimming with life until darkness falls. Everything in the ocean becomes afraid because of a threat to their way of life. They run and hide, all except Crab who continues to do his normal routine and bake. Crab’s cakes are of the sweet king. This isn’t a tale about cannibalism. Rather, this type of baking brings everyone together to save the ocean. Of course the fish prevail, but that’s not the main theme of the story. The coming together and saving each other, that’s what’s most important. By not talking down to them Tsurumi makes a point where children will understand how the ocean works. The narrative is straight-forward and the artwork is spot on. Puffer fish, sea turtles, even the seaweed is illustrated properly. As a parent reading a picture book may seem tedious. A child will continually want them read several times over. Take heart, with each reading there is a large amount to take in. The variety of the fish alone will help familiarizewhoever is reading or if a child is being read to, will continually find something new to discover.
Children who have a curiosity of how oceans work will enjoy this book. The possibilities of what happens after a child is done reading may also help them understand the importance of keeping the environment clean. Imagine looking up everything about crabs, how they move, and their necessity to the ocean. It may help make sense as to why Crab is the hero of this narrative. Having children become conscious at an early age about environment conservation is also vital. At the end of the book is a list of kid-friendly websites which, most likely have children show a healthy respect for how their actions impact not only themselves but the world around them. Overall, making Andrea Tsurumi’s ‘Crab Cake’ necessary reading. Still, don’t mistake required reading as boring. Tsurumi is quick and fun.
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