Ruffen: The Sea Serpent Who Couldn't Swim

This was one of my favourite childhood books, and it is just as engaging and touching at 27 as it was at 4. The story is quirky and funny, but also has a serious element and addresses issues most children will face at some stage (fear, being different, bullying). The illustrations are magnificent and the amount of detail keeps you looking and looking. I had this book in Norwegian (it's original language), and it is great to see how close the translation matches the original work. I recommend this book strongly as it will give you as much pleasure as it will give your child.

Ruffen: The Sea Serpent Who Couldn't Swim is a charming children's picturebook about a mythical world very close to our own. Ruffen is a small sea serpent who calls a mysterious, invisible island home, along with his many brethren. At first, Ruffen can't swim, but an octopus friend helps him to learn this valuable skill - which he later uses to save lives aboard a ship, and even travel to America! The distinctive, cartoony black-and-white illustrations with splashes of color to highlight them make this enjoyable children's book stand out. The reading comprehension level of Ruffen: The Sea Serpent Who Couldn't Swim is high enough to be appropriate for young people who are just about ready to tackle chapter books. Highly recommended, especially for coaxing children who are reluctant to learn the potentially lifesaving skill of swimming.