I’m a Manatee

Review By JACQUELINE BODNAR

John Lithgow takes a different approach in writing this story about a young boy who dreams he is a manatee and believes that somewhere a manatee is dreaming that he is the boy. This is a fun and unique storybook, with kids enjoying the illustrations just as much as the story!

The boy has fun imagining himself living the life of this other animal and the animal doing the same with him. All the while, the story plugs along in a silly rhyming sort of way. The text of the book is also offered as a song in the back, which kids love.

The boy and manatee are shown enjoying plant-based foods, and he admires the many sea creatures he comes across during his dream. There is one illustration of a man on a boat with a fishing pole but, at the end of the pole, he has caught only bottles and cans. There is also a fish tank illustration where the boy has a sort of fish/hamster-type of pet.

Overall, this is a fun book that provides a rare glimpse at the amazing vegetarian manatee and a boy who admires its life.

Ages 4-8.