DADS READ: “Seahorses Are Sold Out” by author Constanze Spengler and illustrator Katja Gehrmann

JER: “Seahorses Are Sold Out” by author Constanze Spengler and illustrator Katja Gehrmann reminds me of “If You Give A Pig A Pancake” with semi-logical, yet unexpected reactions. 

Mika’s Dad needs to finish up an important project, and isn’t available to go to the Lake as planned.  Several interruptions later, and the Dad asks “would you play with [a new pet] very quietly and not bother me until I finish my work?” Mika makes it to the pet store and his Dad tells the owner “sell the kid whatever, and now please let me get on with my work!” 

A mouse is a great pet, but it is too good at hiding.  So the man at the pet store “says dogs have such sensitive noses they can sniff out anything”. The dog found the mouse immediately, but the puppy didn’t understand Mika’s directions on how to use the toilet, and ended up leaving a puddle next to the toilet. 

Mika comes up a creative solution, he “saw a seal in the pet shop . . . She can live in the bathroom and make sure everyone uses the toilet properly”. 

Everyone enjoys splashing in the tub, but the “mouse doesn’t want to.  He can’t swim.  He needs someone to teach him . . . The seahorses are sold out, but there is a little Penguin.  She teaches the mouse to swim.  The penguin ends up “only want[ing] to watch TV” and when they end up having to turn it off. “The penguin sulks in the sink.  The seal and I try to cheer her up, but she turns on the water so she can’t hear us. ‘I think she misses the other birds.” 

The pet store man shows them a beautiful parrot. “He belonged to a sea captain, so he knows the sea and speaks very well.” “The penguin will like that.” 

My girls and I giggled the whole way through.