A Mouthful of Minnows
by John Hare (Author) John Hare (Illustrator)
A fishing story like no other! Alphonso the alligator snapping turtle can't wait for breakfast. But what if his breakfast is too likable and friendly to eat? A Mouthful of Minnows is a humorous picture book about patience, generosity, friendship, and empathy (as well as the awesome mysteries of nature!) that will lure in fans of Ryan T. Higgins's We Don't Eat Our Classmates and Peter Brown's You Will Be My Friend!
At the bottom of the pond, Alphonso the snapping turtle opens his mouth wide, wiggles his worm-like tongue, and waits patiently for breakfast. He barely notices a measly minnow, but he's thrilled when the entire school shows up. Alphonso's perseverance has paid off! But when a whole family of minnows arrives to celebrate together, Alphonso's true character emerges, and he has second thoughts about the breakfast he's been waiting for.
Acclaimed author-artist John Hare's artwork is textured, playful, educational, and energetic, bringing the depths of the underwater setting to life. A Mouthful of Minnows is a surprising and heartwarming picture book that is a great choice for story time and bedtime. Includes information about alligator snapping turtles.
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Publishers Weekly
Alphonso is an alligator snapping turtle, a species with a wormlike tongue that attracts unsuspecting fish. He's not a baddie (an opening scene establishes that he has plenty of turtle pals), just hungry--and as per usual, he parks at the bottom of the pond with mouth open wide and tongue wriggling, waiting for breakfast to swim in. But when a school of minnows decides that the "worm" would make a perfect birthday present for their friend Big Betty, and she shows up with all her children and grandchildren ("This is the very best birthday I could ask for!"), Alphonso is so overcome that he not only loses his appetite, he also saves Big Betty from getting caught on a worm-clad fishing hook. Hare's (the Field Trip Adventures series) spot-on characterizations are matched by the beauty of the book's digitally finished acrylic settings, which show multiple perspectives of the pond's emerald green waters streaked with rays of sunlight from above. While it's not clear whether Alphonso has sworn off minnows entirely, at the very least he's discovered that a little delayed gratification can mean a great fishing story. Back matter offers more detail on Alphonso's species. Ages 4-8. (May)
Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV002100 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Fishes
JUV002240 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Turtles
Picture books
Turtles
Animal fiction
Snapping turtles
