Seagull & Sea Dragon

PreS-Gr 2-Flying high in the sky, Seagull wonders "What it's like down beneath the water?" Similarly, swimming deep underwater, Sea Dragon asks, "What's it like up there in the sky?" Spare, first-person text relays the strangers' two different points of view and the unanswered questions they both have. Seagull is fascinated and intrigued by "sea lanterns" (jellyfish), and Sea Dragon is mesmerized by floating, "giant bubbles" (hot air balloons). Gregg's digital illustrations offer a variety of immersive scenes, from an aerial, seagull's-eye view of the fish swishing below the shimmering surface of the water to the shafts of light shining down into the coral-lined bottom of the sea. The creatures acknowledgement of the unknown can sometimes make them "feel ... SCARED." When they unexpectedly bump into each other, they converse and leave with a newfound understanding and appreciation. VERDICT A lovely tale about how friendships can flourish by taking the time to chat. A good read-aloud choice for storytime.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ont.