Bestselling author Rachel Vail and multiple Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka shine a spotlight on the importance of personal space in this SEL standout that also celebrates the ocean and sea life.
Don’t want to be booped? No problem! A sea anemone in the ocean confidently sets itself some personal boundaries, encouraging young readers on land to do the same.
You and Me, Anemone is a nuanced, thoughtful, playful picture book for young children about the delicate challenge of boundaries—having them, maintaining them, and respecting them in others. The playful, rhythmic, interactive text by award-winning author Rachel Vail pairs the science of sea life with social-emotional learning for terrific classroom potential. Two-time Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka’s illustrations—created by painting and stitching on burlap—are a visual and emotional showstopper with a ton of kid appeal.
“Vail’s rhythmic, rhyming text has a playfulness to it that will propel readers forward, making it an ideal candidate for a vibrant, educational read-aloud. Raschka’s clever art uses paint and embroidery on burlap to create an expressive world full of textures and colors. . . . Don’t boop this book away! Embrace this lively, creative look at asserting one’s boundaries.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“In this standout social-emotional book, Vail’s assonant, songlike rhymes skillfully use a sea anemone to talk about personal space in a way that’s at once empowering and playful. . . . The clever art is an ideal partner to highly readable, percussive text that emphasizes the harmony that can arise from respecting others’ spaces and needs.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“In this nautical tongue-twister, readers follow the humble invertebrate’s example to advocate for personal boundaries and consent in hopes of a more harmonious world. . . . Vail supplies melodious rhymes crafted with strong vocabulary. . . . Caldecott winner Raschka stuns with a tapestry that has no shortage of eye-catching spreads perfect for large groups. . . . A lyrical lesson on personal boundaries with illustrations guaranteed to help enhance young readers’ vocabularies and imaginations. A must-buy for story hour shelves.” — School Library Journal (starred review)