Peter and the Seal

PreS-Gr 2—In this continuation of Peter and the Winter Sleepers (NorthSouth, 2011), Grandma suggests that Peter and his dog, Leo, take the submarine out into the water where it is cooler. The child enjoys looking at the underwater wonders so much that he does not watch where he is going and gets stuck on a sandbar. He tries to push it free, but with no luck. There is nothing he can do except wait until the morning when the tide will come in. During the night, when Peter and Leo are just falling asleep, something tips over the sub. Fearfully, the boy looks out of the hatch, but all he finds is a baby seal. He invites it to stay with him until morning when they all return home. The text is straightforward and simple, but the story is primarily told through the cartoon illustrations. Painted with luminous watercolors, the artwork is uncluttered and child friendly. De Haas has a good sense of color and composition, and each spread is visually balanced and satisfying. Full of wonder and fun, this gentle adventure could become a small child's favorite.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT