You and Me, Anemone - by Rachel Vail (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

"Don't boop this book away! Embrace this lively, creative look at asserting one's boundaries." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"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)

"A lyrical lesson on personal boundaries with illustrations guaranteed to help enhance young readers' vocabularies and imaginations." --School Library Journal (starred review)

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. Includes back matter.

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. Back matter includes an author's note and facts about the incredible sea anemone.

Review Quotes

"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)