PPBF – PARROTFISH HAS A SUPERPOWER

My older granddaughter loves the water and loves fish. So when I saw this Perfect Picture Book, you know what I had to do!

Title: PARROTFISH HAS A SUPERPOWER

Written By: Jill Esbaum

Illustrated By: Bob Shea

Publisher/Date: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House/2024

Suitable for Ages: 4-8

Themes/Topics: parrotfish, sea life, nonfiction, beaches superpowers, reefs, tropical fish

Opening:

HELLO, I’m a parrotfish.

I live in warm, tropical waters.

This reef is my home.

Thousands of other creatures live here, too.

But we parrotfish are the only ones with a crazy-awesome superpower that –

Brief Synopsis: Facts about parrotfish, told by a parrotfish in dialogue with a hammerhead shark.

Links to Resources:

·      Check out the True or False Questions in the back matter to learn more about parrotfish;

·      Discover how sand is made;

·      Draw and learn about a humphead parrotfish;

·      Check out these Educator Resources.

Why I Like this Book:

A colorful protagonist. An interrupting sidekick. And a story that features parrotfish poop. What’s not to love? Especially when kids and adult readers learn about a fish species that is integral to the formation of a place so many of us love: the beach!

As the unnamed parrotfish tries to share its story with readers, a hammerhead shark keeps interrupting it. Kids will love this! These interruptions not only add humor, they add another layer to this story: a large, fearsome-looking shark doubts that a smaller fish could have a superpower. How often do we judge others and doubt their abilities because of how they look? Readers also learn that types of parrotfish differ by color, shape, and size, but they have many things in common, too. Seems they are a lot like people who differ but also share traits and talents.

Whether read at home or in a classroom, Parrotfish Has a Superpower is sure to inform and entertain kids and beach lovers of all ages.

A Note about Craft:

Esbaum uses first-person POV, an all-dialogue format, and humor to bring facts about Parrotfish and beach formation to life in way that kids of any age will enjoy.

This Perfect Picture Book entry is being added to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book list. Check out the other great picture books featured there!