Spencer and Vincent, the Jellyfish Brothers

December 15, 2018
Two siblings must brave the open ocean to reconnect.In this debut collaboration between Johnston and Dove, these Californian artists devise a dramatic tale of family separation. Jellyfish brothers Spencer and Vincent have only each other as the story opens, but both are so content in their companionship that they concoct a little "ditty" to sing to one another as they "[blob] along over the foaming ocean waves": "My brother, my brother, he's sweet, not smelly. / I love him from down in my jelly belly." All is well until one stormy day, when "a wave of superior magnitude" washes Vincent "into the distant distance." Try as he may, Spencer, "a bobber of seas," quickly realizes he must enlist help in order to have any hope of finding Vincent. Dove's digitally manipulated watercolors gracefully capture the great variety of aqua-toned wildlife and ocean flora that pink, gumdrop-shaped Spencer summons to his aid, not the least of whom is his whale friend Horace, himself "of superior magnitude," who gently nudges Spencer along on his mission to save Vincent from the perils of being washed ashore. Throughout this adventure, Johnston's playful narrative employs repetition as well as highfalutin vocabulary, adding a lyrical swell to the collective rescue efforts of creatures great and small.A sweet tale of filial devotion among inveterate invertebrates, offering important lessons in knowing and testing one's limits. (author's note) (Picture book. 3-8)

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February 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 2-Spencer and Vincent are jellyfish brothers, looking out for each other with no parents to care for them. One morning, a "wave of superior magnitude" sweeps Vincent away. With some help from a whale named Horace, a mermaid, a seahorse, a sea star, and a passing pelican-along with a bit of personal courage and determination-the two are reunited. An author's note elaborates further on how jellyfish are not really fish at all (they are zooplankton), where they live, and several nicknames given to them. The text itself never alludes to any of these facts, focusing almost exclusively on "the whimsical ocean of imagination," with the inclusion of a mermaid and a caring whale who nudges the jelly along toward safety. The rather lengthy narrative is by turns wry and sophisticated, silly and repetitious. Children may appreciate the inclusion of so many sea creatures, along with the perky illustrations, but will need to be reminded that mermaids are fictional by comparison. VERDICT A popular subject that is better served elsewhere. Alternative picture books about jellies and sea life, such as Joy the Jellyfish by Kristen Collier and Peanut Butter and Jellyfish by Jarrett J. Krosoczka may appeal even more.-Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2018
Grades K-2 Sibling jellyfish Spencer and Vincent are the best of friends and even have written a funny song that they share: "My brother, my brother, he's sweet, not smelly. I love him from down in my jelly belly." Their happy existence is threatened when a storm generates an enormous wave that sweeps Vincent away. Although the story contains many fantasy elements, the way jellyfish move is presented more factually, described as floating, bobbing, and pulsing. Spencer desperately wants to save Vincent but knows he cannot travel quickly on his own. He enlists the assistance of his friend Horace the whale, who pushes Spencer in the right direction. Other creatures try to help, but no one is sure how to retrieve unconscious Vincent safely, until Spencer comes up with a sweet, smart plan. Poetic, unusual vocabulary, with phrases such as "superior magnitude," "tenderness of tentacles," and "spark of verve," make the text fun to read aloud. Digital and watercolor illustrations by a certified California naturalist create an appealing undersea world, and an author's note supplies jellyfish facts.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)