Seaweed McTweed
Meet Seaweed McTweed — the ocean’s most charming, quirky sea monster who is lonely for true friendship. With a twinkle in his eye and hope in his heart, Seaweed’s underwater world comes alive in this delightful children’s book filled with purposeful quest, being true to self, and the enduring value of friendship and kindness.
Why Kids (and Parents) Love Seaweed McTweed
- Inspired by the Seaweed McTweed Song as seen on The Art, Song, and Story Palace
- Playful storytelling that makes kids giggle
- Helps kids learn kindness to others
- Helps kids feel hopeful
- Colorful, ocean-themed illustrations
- Teaches gentle lessons about friendship, kindness and confidence
- Sparks kids’ imaginations about life beneath the sea
- Fun read-aloud for families or classrooms
- A perfect gift for lovers of meaningful stories
What Readers Are Saying
“Seaweed McTweed is a charming character who delivers a beautiful message to both children and adults. He reminds us of our incredible unique gifts and our need to love and respect one another for them. A beautiful message in a time when it’s truly needed!”
Casey and her two kids, ages 2 and 8
“Seaweed McTweed is a powerful picture book about the anxiety of not fitting in, and about the power of friendship to save the day.
In Jon Nappa and Jason Hendrickson’s fun picture book Seaweed McTweed, a sea monster wants to make a friend.
Though he wants to be loved, Seaweed McTweed’s sea monster exterior means that he is shunned by nice sea creatures, who only see the monster in him. At the same time, he is denounced by sea monsters for having a big heart and not wanting to destroy ships or hurt anyone. Despite not being understood in the sea, Seaweed remains resolute in his morals. He imagines a time when friendly fish will understand him and befriend him.
Every interaction that Seaweed has with other sea creatures drives home the notion that no one should be judged by their outsides. Seaweed’s misunderstood perspective is centered, and the fact that he’s so empathetic helps to make him memorable. Further, his story is told in a rhyming format, using syllabic symmetry to create a musical rhythm and encouraging compelling read-alouds.
Though much of the text’s language is direct, it includes more nuanced terms and concepts, too. These are often denoted by different colored text, drawing attention to how they interact with the prose around them. For example, when he’s addressing his relationship to other sea creatures, Seaweed muses, “monsters don’t like me, because I act differently. Others don’t like me because I look different.” Here, both “act” and “look” appear in different colors, highlighting the reasons he thinks that he doesn’t fit into specific groups.
The illustrations construct the sea monsters in crude and dark ways, communicating their wicked-seeming atmosphere without becoming scary. In contrast, the book’s crabs, starfish, and other friendly creatures are more detailed, with brighter colors and textured patterns used to make them enticing. In these and other ways, the illustrations tell the complete story on their own, showing other sea creatures swimming away from Seaweed when he tries to talk to them, and depicting Seaweed’s distaste for sea monster mayhem when his fellow monsters rip ships in half. Later, they reveal Seaweed’s new, bright, and happy friend swimming close to him, helping to bring Seaweed closer to his own happiness.
Seaweed McTweed is a powerful picture book about the anxiety of not fitting in, and about the power of friendship to save the day.”
George Hajjar
Why I Created Seaweed McTweed
As a lifelong lover of the underdog, and with great disapproval toward those who bully, I wanted to create a story that joyfully brings the wonder and feelings of loneliness, friendship, and self-esteem to young readers everywhere. Seaweed McTweed is a friendly ocean character who’s part explorer, part storyteller, and all heart. He’s a sea monster, of sorts, and that’s where his story begins. I hope this book brings waves of laughter, hope, encouragement and curiosity to your family’s reading time!
Meet Seaweed for Yourself!
[PLACEHOLDER: Short Excerpt from Seaweed McTweed]
Ready to Dive In?
Coming Soon:
Check out: The Seaweed McTweed Collection!
Get ready for an undersea adventure! The Seaweed McTweed Collection features vibrant, undersea-themed merchandise that kids (and grown-ups) will adore.
- Playful art prints of Seaweed McTweed and his ocean friends
- Bright, kid-sized t-shirts featuring Seaweed and fellow sea creatures
- Whimsical mugs for ocean lovers
- Colorful tote bags for books, beach days, or treasures
- Fun sticker sheets full of undersea characters from the story
We’d love to hear from you
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Thank you for your interest.
