Sapphy and her older brother Conner are irresistibly drawn to the sea--just like their father the night he took his boat out onto the ocean and never returned. After meeting a merboy her own age and following him into the magical underwater world of Ingo, Sapphy finds herself embarking on an exciting adventure to uncover the mystery of what it is the sea wants from her family. It was nice, for once, to read a story with a sister and brother that not only got along but made a great team as well. I also loved Dunmore's fantastic descriptions of the sea which made it seem like a living creature. Both sinister and alluring at the same time, it fascinated me as much as it did Sapphy. Questions still unanswered at the end of the book will leave the reader excited for future installments in this series.
Umami By Jacob Grant New York: Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2024. Picture Book. Umami is a little penguin who is sick of eating the same thing everyday, cold fish --ugh! She becomes determined to find new foods and flavors, so Umami begins a journey across the sea in search of something different to eat. She reaches a place with a plethora of delicious options, and tries bitter, sweet, sour, and foods with umami (just like her name!) among others. Umami decides to bring all these delicious new flavors back for the other penguins to try in a feast. But, will the other penguins enjoy this new experience? Filled with charm and humor, Umami is a diverse romp through a universal experience --am I willing to try something new? What will it be like? The idea of trying new foods and flavors make it especially relatable, and the appealing illustrations will have many readers ready to hop out on a culinary adventure. A humorous and sweet ending, caps off this delig...
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