From the witty play on words in the title and the fluorescent-pink endpapers, to the minimal text and quirky sub-plot of a crab looking for a shell to call home, Anna McGregor is proving herself a picture-book creator to watch.
Anemone lives a lonely existence in his little rockpool. He's desperate to make a friend and whenever the tide comes in, he's hopeful it will bring a special buddy. But each time anyone tries to get close to him in the rockpool, he stings them.
This is a simple but fascinating look at life inside a rockpool. Through Anemone's story, we learn some of the different species that live in a rockpool, those that visit when the tide comes in and the beautiful symbiotic relationship between certain species that allows them to work together to survive. A fact page at the back describes the symbiosis that helps Anemone finally find his special friend, along with the hermit crab's search for a discarded sea-snail shell for protection.
What's truly impressive is that the story is set entirely in the little rockpool and yet Mcgregor maintains interest through her vibrant digital illustrations, which capture the expressions of the sea creatures with such humour and detail.
Shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA Early Childhood Book of the Year, this is an unusual and dazzling celebration of the natural world.
Title: Anemone is Not the Enemy
Author/
Illustrator: Anna McGregor
Publisher: Scribble, $24.99
Publication Date:
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781922310118
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book
