Sean E Avery, Mr Clownfish, Miss Anemone and the Hermit Crab, Walker Books, October 2023, 32 pp., RRP $25.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760654344
We meet Mr. Clownfish and Miss Anemone on the first two pages. We know about the power of their friendship immediately. Miss Anemone (being an anemone) is stuck on a rock whilst Mr Clownfish can swim freely and bring delicious sea morsels for them to share. Miss Anemone uses her stinging tentacles to save Mr Clownfish from big fish and Mr Clownfish becomes ferocious when an anemone eating fish comes close. They are each other’s heroes. Sometimes, Mr Clownfish has to swim far to find food and Miss Anemone gets lonely. Whilst Mr Clownfish is away one day searching for food, something happens that will test the strength of their friendship. Can their friendship survive when a Hermit Crab enters the equation?
There are many children’s books that teach us about the environment but few can masterfully weave difficult concepts like symbiosis in a child friendly way through a story about friendship that children can relate to. Whilst the written story is engaging, informative and loads of fun, the illustrations also help tell a story about the depths of the ocean. Using digital collage techniques and scanned folded/painted papers, Sean E Avery shows us the beauty and dangers of the ocean and how creatures need each other in order to survive. Children are sure to enjoy, appreciate and learn many useful lessons from this stunning picture book.
This book will appeal to 4+ years and whilst it can be appreciated as a story on its own right, it will also complement many science units as a formative lesson.
Reviewed by H I Cosar
