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Staff Pick
Adventurous little mermaid Oona and her otter friend roam the ocean searching for treasure. One day, they find a perfectly sparkly crown stuck in the sand… but what will it take to pull it free? Hazy, color-saturated illustrations add an underwater dreaminess to Oona and Otto’s funny encounters with sharks, squid, and more. Recommended By Rhianna W., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
This comical and heartfelt picture book is a winning celebration of invention, creativity, and friendship. With gorgeous underwater scenes and a crowd-pleasing tale, this is one little mermaid who is here to make a splash
New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrator Raissa Figueroa would like to introduce Oona — the big wide sea's littlest mischief-maker.
Oona and her best friend Otto love to search for treasure...and often find trouble instead.
Messy trouble.
Tricky trouble.
Even shark-related trouble.
That's never stopped them before, though
After all, no proper treasure hunt is without some adventure. But when the grandest treasure yet is stuck in a deep, dark rift, Oona's not sure if she can dive right in. What might be waiting for her in those unknown waters?
Review
"Useful for social emotional learning, this title celebrates independence, self-confidence, and bravery to try the new even after defeat as Oona becomes aware of the true treasure in her personal effort." School Library Journal (Starred Review)
Review
"[T]he digital illustrations by Figueroa (Sophie and Little Star) are a true wonder of the deep, with compositions worthy of full-length animated features." Publishers Weekly
Review
"[T]he messages of persistence and of valuing the work of one's own creation are strong and effective." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"[Th]e playful humor is, like Oona herself, "sweet... and a little bit salty," bringing together gentleness with just a dash of sass." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
About the Author
Kelly DiPucchio is the New York Times bestselling author of many beloved books for children, including Grace for President, Dragon Was Terrible, and Oona, illustrated by Raissa Figueroa. As a little girl Kelly wanted a pet otter but settled for a pet goat instead. When she's not writing, Kelly loves to search for treasure and mermaids in Michigan's Great Lakes. Land friends can visit her online at www.kellydipucchio.com.
Raissa Figueroa loves walking the beaches in search of tiny treasures of her own. She lives and works in sunny San Diego, CA. She's the illustrator for several children's books, including Oona, written by Kelly DiPucchio. You can visit her at www.rizzyfig.com.