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Spencer and Vincent, The Jellyfish Brothers

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Spencer and Vincent, The Jellyfish Brothers 
Written by Tony Johnston
Illustrated by Emily Dove
Simon and Schuster, 2019. Picture Book.

Spencer and Vincent are best friends, who just happen to be brothers. They like to swim around, drifting on the current, singing a fun song with each other. Unfortunately, one day they get separated, and in an effort to find each other again, they must enlist the help of all the other creatures in the sea. Peril and danger ensue, but the brothers use their love for each other to solve the problem.

The undersea pictures in this book are bright, fun, and swirly like the waves they’re inspired by, and the different animals are unique and exciting to look at. The turquoise of the water and the coral and pink of the brothers makes for a sweet color contrast that elevates the mood of the story into something that is carefree, like a tropical island or a bright coral reef, without distracting from its heartfelt message. The journey the brothers go on is a scary one, but their unfailing optimism keeps the book lighthearted. Spencer and Vincent are jellyfish who don’t give up on each other.
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