Flo is a daredevil salmon while her brother Ebbie is a more cautious fish, but during their journey down river to the sea, they come to appreciate the differences in their personalities.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
A first for the author as well as the first in this publisher's new children's imprint, this work playfully combines information about the salmon life cycle with a fictional adventure story. Inseparable since they were adjacent eggs in a rocky stream, two salmon siblings are opposites: "Flo was daring. She nibbled the worm at the end of a fishing hook. Ebbie fainted." But when Ebbie needs to be brave to save his sister from a killer whale, he comes through. Although Ebbie's rescue mission doesn't concern itself with scientific accuracy (he deflects the whale's attention by calling it a big, blubbery bully), elsewhere the author does slip in a lesson or two about nature (e.g., the fish travel downriver "for a whole year," until they reach the estuary, "where the fresh river water meets the salty sea"). Kelly's pastels offset deep marine-blue water with generous splashes of other colors, so that the iridescent salmon and underwater rocks seem to shimmer. If this is not exactly a whale of a tale, the humorously expressive fish and vivid illustrations add up to a thoroughly enjoyable fish story. Young scientists hungry for more details will be satiated with a concluding page of fish facts. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2AThis book forms a trial marriage between purely scientific exposition and charming picture-book story, resulting in a somewhat confusing dichotomy. Two Atlantic salmon, ebullient, daring, pink-bellied Flo and timid, fainthearted, yellow-bellied Ebbie, hatch after their parents lay eggs (and fertilize them, though the process is not mentioned). As the two increase in size, Flo grows in bravado and Ebbie in anxiety as they migrate to the ocean. There the intrepid Flo encounters a seriously hungry killer whale, and Ebbie finds an untapped source of courage, rushing to her rescue. Subsequently, the two set out to return to their natal stream. The impressionistic illustrations are bright, colorful, and suitably bubbly. The whole works as a story, but the interspersions of actual salmon life-cycle data, the usage of the term "...true scientific adventure..." on the jacket flap, and an informative page of Atlantic salmon "Fish Facts" cause a blurring of purpose that can lead to misconceptions. Effervescent, but unfocused.APatricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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More About the Author
Irene Kelly is an author and illustrator. Her books have received numerous awards, including two John Burroughs awards and a Children's Choice award. Her nature books for children have been sited as "proof that science nonfiction can be accurate, factual and completely engrossing" (Kirkus). Reviewers have called her work exquisite, informative, entertaining, delightful, and intriguing. Learn more about Irene by visiting her website: www.irenekellybooks.com.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful story with unusually lovely art work!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Ebbie and Flo (Hardcover)
As a parent of three avid readers ages, 5-11, I want to say what a wonderful book Ebbe and Flo is for kids of all ages! The art work in this story is unusually lovely and is not drawn "down " to kids, but rather lets children experience designs and colors usually reserved for adults - and yet the characters are warmly drawn with alot of humorous attributes as well. The story is totally engaging -my kids have read it repetitively!! The dialogue is fast and funny. The tension between the adventurous and fearless Flo (and how refreshing that these characteristics belong to the girl!!) and her brother, the timid Ebbe, is part of what gives the story it's momentum.My kids got very interested in salmon and their life cycles largely because the book is so great and the Fish Facts at the back were a great follow up. But perhaps most important in this story is the message that it is possible to find the courage and spirit to enjoy the sometimes perilous journey of life. I highly recommend this book !
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