Book Birthday: SEA MONSTER'S FIRST DAY by Kate Messner & Andy Rash

A couple years ago now, a friendly sea monster splashed his way onto my desk. He was nice enough, and funny, but to be honest, he had some problems. He was seeing a shrink and telling her all his secrets in his first incarnation CONFESSIONS OF A SEA MONSTER. I said that it read a bit like a New Yorker cartoon, rather than a children's book.

Brilliant author Kate Messner could have been discouraged. But instead she dug around till she found the 'kid-friendliest' root of the story. And the book turned into ERNEST McSEAMONSTER WANTS TO GO HOME, about the anxiety of a first day at school. This is the version Kate's editor bought.

But then together, they turned the main character into a bit less of a scaredy-monster. In the version you'll see in bookstores starting this week, Ernest is lively and adventurous (and still has that quirky personality!) as he encounters life in his new school (of fish). And look at what a difference a year or two makes. SEA MONSTER'S FIRST DAY is absolutely gorgeous, thanks to the lively artwork of Andy Rash.

SEA MONSTER'S FIRST DAY is a great book for the new kindergartener or entering first grader in your life. Here's a bit more about the book.

You can buy the book from your local bookstore, or from Kate's.

Congrats, Kate! <3