Crab Cake Book Review

Book Review
Crab Cake: Turning the Tide Together
By Andrea Tsurumi
Published February 5, 2019

Why we chose this book:
We are keenly aware of the necessity of conservation and respect for the environment. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Mom's Review

Crab Cake is partly realistic and partly anthropomorphic. With the exception of the titular crab, each sea creature behaves naturally. Crab, however, bakes cakes. When a boatload of humans dumps a boatload of trash overboard, all creatures in the sea are terrified. Crab, again is the exception. He simply bakes a cake, which brings the other sea creatures together, sparking a discussion of how to address the pollution problem. Working all together, they haul the junk back to land, pile it on a dock, and attach a sign saying, "Come get your junk!" Once again, the sea creatures return to their natural lives. With the exception of Crab, who still bakes cakes.

I particularly like how the animals behave in this book. Over the years, I've moved us away from the animals-as-people books (excepting Richard Scarry, cuz I just love him!), both from taste and research. Crab Cake, however, is one book whose anthropomorphic animals underscore its message. At first, the fish are swimming and doing fishy-things. When the humans dump their trash, disrupting the habitat, however, the natural behaviors are also disrupted. They start talking to each other, working to solve a problem logically, and pairing up with their natural predators. Once the ocean is clean, they return to their realistic selves. These changes drive home the message of just how unnatural and disruptive polluting the ocean is. Furthermore, the creatures' solution is so unrealistic that it cannot but spark conversation about valid options for protecting our oceans. And we see collaboration to solve a problem, always a plus!

All in all, Crab Cake is a fun and effective way to encourage conservation. And if you like oceans, according to T, this book is for you.

Son's Review

"I like this one and this one."

(Age: 4)
Before reading:
Son: I like this one and this one. I like how they both look. This one looks hungry and this one looks afraid. Let's read!

While reading:
Mom: How do they [the sea creatures] look to you?

Son: Scared

Mom: What do you think they're afraid of? Why?

Son: The splash. Because it was loud.

Mom: What would you do if you heard a huge noise in the night?

Son: Well I would dress up like a ninja and I would pretend I wasn't afraid. Let's keep reading.

Mom: How did they all feel? What are they getting ready to do?

Son: Scared...Make an idea.

Mom: What would you do if a bunch of trash were dumped in your home.

Son: Well on each of the trash I would write, "Please don't do this." And I would put it in a box and tape the box shut and send it to IKEA.

Mom: Why IKEA?

Son: Because it's a far away place.

Mom: What do you think of their plan? Why?

Son: I like their plan. Because they save the ocean.

Mom: What do you think would have happened if all that junk had stayed in the ocean? Could the fishies still live?

Son: No.

Mom: What do you think we should learn from this book?

Son: Don't throw trash into the ocean.

After reading:
Mom: What was your favorite part?

Son, flipping to his fav. page: My favorite part was this page. This was my favorite part because they are all in a group. And octopus had an idea.

Mom: How did it make you feel when all the trash got dumped in the ocean?

Son: Kinda sad.

Mom: When is it a good time to read this book?

Son: When I'm interested in oceans.

Mom: Who is this a good book for?

Son: Anyone who likes oceans, I suppose.

working hard to stage our book cover photo