Cover Reveal: I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures that Look Like Food by Jenna Grodzicki

By Lisa Amstutz

Today, we're thrilled to welcome Jenna Grodzicki to the Six Pens blog to share about her new book, I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures That Look Like Food (Oct. 2019, Millbrook Press). I had the privilege of critiquing Jenna's manuscript along the way, and can't wait to see it in print. It's both fun and educational, and I know kids will love it!

So without further ado, here's the cover, which features an edible-looking egg yolk jellyfish!

Jenna, what inspired you to write I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures that Look Like Food?

I stumbled upon this topic completely by accident. In early 2016, I was doing research on lemon sharks for a different manuscript (Finn Finds a Friend, Clear Fork Publishing 2017). I came across an article online called “Fish food: 15 marine animals named by hungry biologists.” The article featured some sea creatures that actually looked like foods we eat, such as the lettuce sea slug and the egg yolk jellyfish. I had never heard of these animals, and I was completely fascinated by them.

I never planned to write nonfiction, but I couldn’t stop thinking about these creatures. They’re so unique, and I was sure kids would be interested in learning about them. So, I started researching and never looked back!

What’s your favorite thing about writing for kids?

I love so many things about being a children’s author. I’ve become passionate about nonfiction, and I love finding quirky topics to research and write about. I also love interacting with young readers. Between school visits, book signings, and library events, I cherish every moment I spend with children. I was a classroom teacher and library media specialist for over a decade and talking with children who are excited about MY books is truly a magical feeling.


What advice do you have for aspiring nonfiction PB writers?

You don’t have to already be an expert in a topic to write about it. You just have to be willing to put in the research. I don’t have a background in science or marine biology. But I used what I knew about conducting research to become an expert on these sea animals. If you find a topic you’re excited about, just go for it!
 
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Publisher's blurb:

Meet some of the wackiest creatures under the sea―creatures that look like food―through eye-catching photos and engaging text. This funny, informative book introduces readers to the egg yolk jellyfish, the lettuce sea slug, the chocolate chip sea star, and many more! Accessible text and engaging photos make this a very fun read. 


Places to Pre-Order I See Sea Food:

https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781541554634

https://www.amazon.com/See-Sea-Food-Creatures-That/dp/1541554639/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-see-sea-food-jenna-grodzicki/1130294141?ean=9781541554634


Connect with Jenna online:

 www.jennagrodzicki.com

Twitter - @jennawritesPB

Instagram - @jennawritespb

Facebook - @jennawritesPB