There Might Be Lobsters

PPreS-Gr 2--Sukie is afraid of the beach. She is only a little dog, and the beach has big whooshy waves and big beachy beach balls--and, worst of all, there might be lobsters. Sukie's beguiling, spot-on puppy anxiety sets the stage for a delightful romp as she lays out her fears in a mounting pile of italic text that begs to be read aloud; each of her internal monologues ends with her fretting about the dreaded lobster ("and she might tumble down on her head,/and then she'd need stitches,/and, besides, there might be lobsters"). Eleanor, Sukie's exuberant young human companion, tries to convince her to explore the beach, to no avail. Only when Sukie's toy monkey Chunka Munka floats off to sea does Sukie dare to brave the waves and the lobsters that may lie beneath them. Sukie's concerns are distinctly doggy--"she might get a shell stuck up her nose"--yet they will resonate with children who have experienced fear of the unknown. In Molk's watercolor and ink illustrations, great swaths of sand and sky set off the humor of Sukie's beleaguered expression and tongue-in-cheek details such as the image of a lobster on a beach bag. VERDICT Charming illustrations combine seamlessly with the text to create a seasonal treat as refreshing as ice cream with sprinkles on a day at the beach. Perfect for one-on-one and small group sharing.--Anna Stover, Poughkeepsie Day School, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

In Crimi's reassuring story, a little black-and-white dog, Sukie, has an ocean-size fear of the beach: the big sandy stairs, the big salty waves and — especially — lobsters...Molk's loose-limbed art in salt-water-taffy hues sets a sunny-day mood perfect for conquering bugaboos.
—The New York Times Book Review

There's ample humor in the watercolor, acrylic, and ink illustrations and heaping doses of compassion, too. Sly inclusions of lobsters in the details, in particular, will provoke readers' laughter as they cheer on Sukie and applaud Eleanor's pluck and patience. Just "beachy."
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

This charming story shows how fear can hold us back, and how love can save the day...The illustrations, done in watercolor, acrylic, and pen-and-ink, beautifully capture the feel of the seaside. Crimi's latest is a warm-hearted lesson in how to overcome paralyzing fears by putting others first.
—Booklist

This might promote some empathy in bold kids who scoff at the timid as well as some reassurance for the uncertain beachgoer, and it could lead to a rousing discussion of overcoming fears.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

In Molk's watercolor and ink illustrations, great swaths of sand and sky set off the humor of Sukie's beleaguered expression and tongue-in-cheek details such as the image of a lobster on a beach bag. Charming illustrations combine seamlessly with the text to create a seasonal treat as refreshing as ice cream with sprinkles on a day at the beach. Perfect for one-on-one and small group sharing.
—School Library Journal

When Chunka Munka is washed out by the tide, however, Sukie puts aside her fears—including the possibility of encountering lobsters in the ocean—to rescue him.
—Literacy Daily

A perfectly rendered story about facing one's fears and the good feelings that ensue in overcoming them, There Might Be Lobsters is a lighthearted look at an important topic.
—Repository (from Kendal Rautzhan's "Books to Borrow")