Thank you to James A. Cox for your review of Laddie, the Lobster, Meets New Friends by Summer Belle and Tatum Grace and illustrated by Janelle Metzgus.
Children's Bookwatch: April 2024
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575
The Social Issues Shelf
Laddie, the Lobster, Meets New Friends
Summer Belle, author
Tatum Grace, author
Janelle Metzgus, illustrator
Robert D. Reed Publishers
9798873894475, $14.95, PB, 36pp
Synopsis: Laddie, the Lobster, Meets New Friends was co-authored by Summer Belle and her eight-year-old granddaughter, Tatum Grace. Artist/illustrator Janelle Metzgus has exquisitely captured each sea creature and the plot in such a charming way.
With bullying as such a problem in our day and age, this delightful picture book is about sea creatures who act in loving ways, never making fun of a disability but bonding as friends instead. Sarah, the Seahorse, has part of one of her fins missing, as does Sammy, the Shark.
Young children (and their parents, teachers, and caregivers) will enjoy Laddie, the Lobster, Meets New Friends and its message – especially anyone with a disability or who is bullied for any reason. Children who are do not have a disability will benefit by becoming more altruistic and understanding after reading Laddie, the Lobster, Meets New Friends.
Critique: At the heart of the story is that Laddie, the Lobster is missing part of one of his claws. He is so happy he has lots of friends, and no one is perfect, and that is okay. That is what makes Laddie, the Lobster, Meets New Friends such an important 'life lesson' and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4–8. It should be noted that Laddie, the Lobster, Meets New Friends is also available in a digital book format (Lerner, $5.99).
This review will also appear in the Cengage Learning, Gale interactive CD-ROM series "Book Review Index" which is published four times yearly for academic, corporate, and public library systems.
Additionally, this review will be archived on our Midwest Book Review website for the next five years at www.midwestbookreview.com