A Mouthful of Minnows

by John Hare, John Hare (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

John Hare, creator of the Field Trip series takes us on a hilarious and educational fishing adventure. Hare's expressive art in Mouthful of Minnows is delightful as we follow Alphonso the snapping turtle as he negotiates with himself over whether or not his breakfast is too likeable to eat. The surprise ending makes this a perfect Storytime read-aloud. Great for fans of We Don't Eat Our Classmates and Grumpy Monkey.

A fishing story like no other! 

Alphonso the alligator snapping turtle can’t wait for breakfast. But what if his breakfast is too likable and friendly to eat? A Mouthful of Minnows is a humorous picture book about patience, generosity, friendship, and empathy (as well as the awesome mysteries of nature!) that will lure in fans of Ryan T. Higgins’s We Don’t Eat Our Classmates and Peter Brown’s You Will Be My Friend!

At the bottom of the pond, Alphonso the snapping turtle opens his mouth wide, wiggles his worm-like tongue, and waits patiently for breakfast. He barely notices a measly minnow, but he’s thrilled when the entire school shows up. Alphonso’s perseverance has paid off! But when a whole family of minnows arrives to celebrate together, Alphonso’s true character emerges, and he has second thoughts about the breakfast he’s been waiting for. 

Acclaimed author-artist John Hare’s artwork is textured, playful, educational, and energetic, bringing the depths of the underwater setting to life. A Mouthful of Minnows is a surprising and heartwarming picture book that is a great choice for story time and bedtime.

Includes information about alligator snapping turtles.  

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063093225
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/10/2022
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	267,923
Product dimensions:	9.60(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

John Hare worked as a production artist, graphic designer, and art director before realizing that he wanted nothing more than to bring stories to life for young readers. His acclaimed debut picture book, Field Trip to the Moon, was called a “close encounter of the best kind” by Kirkus Reviews and was named to numerous best-of-the-year lists. He is also the author-illustrator of the acclaimed A Mouthful of Minnows. John Hare spent much of his youth drawing comics, writing silly stories, and exploring the countryside of Southeast Kansas. The artist now lives in Missouri with his wife, two sons, and dog. 

John Hare worked as a production artist, graphic designer, and art director before realizing that he wanted nothing more than to bring stories to life for young readers. His acclaimed debut picture book, Field Trip to the Moon, was called a “close encounter of the best kind” by Kirkus Reviews and was named to numerous best-of-the-year lists. He is also the author-illustrator of the acclaimed A Mouthful of Minnows. John Hare spent much of his youth drawing comics, writing silly stories, and exploring the countryside of Southeast Kansas. The artist now lives in Missouri with his wife, two sons, and dog. 

Editorial Reviews

03/21/2022

Alphonso is an alligator snapping turtle, a species with a wormlike tongue that attracts unsuspecting fish. He’s not a baddie (an opening scene establishes that he has plenty of turtle pals), just hungry—and as per usual, he parks at the bottom of the pond with mouth open wide and tongue wriggling, waiting for breakfast to swim in. But when a school of minnows decides that the “worm” would make a perfect birthday present for their friend Big Betty, and she shows up with all her children and grandchildren (“This is the very best birthday I could ask for!”), Alphonso is so overcome that he not only loses his appetite, he also saves Big Betty from getting caught on a worm-clad fishing hook. Hare’s (the Field Trip Adventures series) spot-on characterizations are matched by the beauty of the book’s digitally finished acrylic settings, which show multiple perspectives of the pond’s emerald green waters streaked with rays of sunlight from above. While it’s not clear whether Alphonso has sworn off minnows entirely, at the very least he’s discovered that a little delayed gratification can mean a great fishing story. Back matter offers more detail on Alphonso’s species. Ages 4–8. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Alphonso is an alligator snapping turtle, a species with a wormlike tongue that attracts unsuspecting fish. . . . He parks at the bottom of the pond with mouth open wide and tongue wriggling, waiting for breakfast to swim in. But when a school of minnows decides that the “worm” would make a perfect birthday present . . . Alphonso is so overcome that he not only loses his appetite, he also saves [them] . . . Hare’s spot-on characterizations are matched by the beauty of the book’s digitally finished acrylic settings.” — Publishers Weekly

“Alphonso, a snapping alligator turtle with a pink, worm-like tongue that baits unsuspecting prey, plunges to the bottom of the pond, opens his mouth wide, and waits for breakfast to appear. Soon one minnow arrives, then several more . . . Hare's digitally enhanced acrylic-on-hardboard paintings are richly hued . . . [and] an appended note offers additional facts about this Ankylosaurusesque species, including suitable real-world cautions.” — Booklist

From the Publisher