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Float
Dive into FLOAT with Rosie, an impulsive first grader, who bolts into action to retrieve her stolen lunch from an ornery seagull! Rosie Imagined a perfect day at the aquarium, but it quickly turns into an emotional pursuit through every exhibit - and more than one fish tank!
Larry Daley creates an immersive story about anticipation, frustration, and the power of pausing when things get tough.
Recommended reading ages 3-10 years old.
Larry Daley creates an immersive story about anticipation, frustration, and the power of pausing when things get tough.
Recommended reading ages 3-10 years old.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
42 pages, Hardcover
Published February 3, 2026
About the author
Larry Daley
4 books7 followersLarry Daley is an author/illustrator and freelance creative director in children's media development. As an alumnus of Warner Bros. and DC Comics Entertainment, Larry supervised major comic book brands such as Batman and Superman in film, television, video games, toys, comics, licensed promotions, and children's publishing. His illustrative and written work is known for its quirky humor, playful characters, and exaggerated perspectives. Right now, his focus is on creating funny stories that blend chaos with kindness. Larry lives in New Hampshire with his wife and three lovely daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 14, 2025
I received this as an ARC from the publisher and read with my 7 year old. As a fan of the aquarium, this was a hit for him! The story of Rosie was fun and engaging, with a great message about managing frustrations. The illustrations were bright, colorful, and detailed. Each page offers so much to look at with new details to discover with each reading. Easily a favorite for our bookshelf!
July 14, 2025
This super fun and visually rich picture book follows redheaded 1st grader Rosie, who is psyched to be at the aquarium and see the new baby sea turtle-until a seagull steals her lunchbox, resulting in a chase that takes her throughout the aquarium (including into the various tanks). Totally focused on getting her lunchbox back, Rosie doesn't notice the trail of devastation she is leaving behind until it has reached epic proportions! The aquarium manager then teaches her the valuable lesson of just "floating"-taking a pause when things get tough instead of immediately reacting.
I recommend taking some time to really pore over the illustrations! There is a lot to see on each page, including the escapades of Bubbles the octopus, who takes advantage of the chaos to try and escape, and 20 sea turtles that are hidden through the book. They are tiny, so grab your magnifying glass (and don't ignore the endpapers). Patient kids will be rewarded with finding all of the little Easter eggs, and less patient kids can just enjoy Rosie's adventure and be reminded that sometimes you just need to stop and take a breath.
I recommend taking some time to really pore over the illustrations! There is a lot to see on each page, including the escapades of Bubbles the octopus, who takes advantage of the chaos to try and escape, and 20 sea turtles that are hidden through the book. They are tiny, so grab your magnifying glass (and don't ignore the endpapers). Patient kids will be rewarded with finding all of the little Easter eggs, and less patient kids can just enjoy Rosie's adventure and be reminded that sometimes you just need to stop and take a breath.
November 3, 2025
Four Point Two Stars
A delightful story. Rosie has wanted to visit the aquarium and see the baby turtle. But things go out of hand when Rosie’s lunchbox is stolen - by a seagull.
What happens after that?
Cute illustrations and lovely story as through Rosie we get a tour around the aquarium. It is also a nostalgic trip as Rosie tries everything to find her lunchbox that her father packed for her. Fun and enjoyable read.
Thank you for the eARC Netgalley
A delightful story. Rosie has wanted to visit the aquarium and see the baby turtle. But things go out of hand when Rosie’s lunchbox is stolen - by a seagull.
What happens after that?
Cute illustrations and lovely story as through Rosie we get a tour around the aquarium. It is also a nostalgic trip as Rosie tries everything to find her lunchbox that her father packed for her. Fun and enjoyable read.
Thank you for the eARC Netgalley
September 29, 2025
This is a delightful, fun, sweet picture book. The illustrations are amazing, and Rosie is an engaging main character who is easy to root for. I love the story and also appreciate the animal facts at the end. With all the wonderful details in the art, this is a book kids (and adults!) will enjoy again and again.
November 27, 2025
*Acquired from Netgalley*
I loved Rosie's sweet illustrations and the brief introductions to the animals at the end of the story. A charming picture book that gently shows how to look on the bright side of mishaps
I loved Rosie's sweet illustrations and the brief introductions to the animals at the end of the story. A charming picture book that gently shows how to look on the bright side of mishaps
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Now, let me pre-face this by saying that this book is super adorable. The art, the story told via the art, and the message is just precious. Definitely a book that a first grader, especially one that loves learning about animals or loves ocean life, would enjoy. I was surprised by how much I laughed while reading this book as we followed Rosie while she tried to get back her lunch box from that pesky seagull, and brought some immense chaos to the aquarium in the process. The artist - who is also the author - does such an excellent job at conveying emotion and story through a visual medium. The colors were vibrant and eye-catching, and there wasn't a place I didn't enjoy looking throughout the pages. Alas, I failed abominably at following Bubbles the Octopus on their escape journey and finding the 20 turtles, but I did love learning the food factoids and the names of fishes at the end of the book.
There was one or two spots though where I had issues, and this is why I bumped my rating from a 5 star to a 4 star. First, there was a scene where something was supposed to be conveyed regarding the Otters. It was easy enough to tell that something was wrong and Rosie was going to help, but what was wrong wasn't adequately expressed through the art that time. I had no idea what they were looking for until Rosie found it and that shouldn't be the case. It made me feel like I missed something so I even flipped back to check except I hadn't. Second, light font colors on white backgrounds or white font colors on light backgrounds should never be done. There were whole parts where I couldn't read the text or had to lean in, and squint, so much that it hurt my eyes. Mind you as well that this was an e-ARC which was mostly going to be read on a tablet or a computer or a phone which makes such text even more difficult to read. Perhaps this isn't an issue for the physical edition, but it should be taken into account for digital releases as it's definitely an issue.
Those two things aside, this was a really cute and enjoyable book.
Now, let me pre-face this by saying that this book is super adorable. The art, the story told via the art, and the message is just precious. Definitely a book that a first grader, especially one that loves learning about animals or loves ocean life, would enjoy. I was surprised by how much I laughed while reading this book as we followed Rosie while she tried to get back her lunch box from that pesky seagull, and brought some immense chaos to the aquarium in the process. The artist - who is also the author - does such an excellent job at conveying emotion and story through a visual medium. The colors were vibrant and eye-catching, and there wasn't a place I didn't enjoy looking throughout the pages. Alas, I failed abominably at following Bubbles the Octopus on their escape journey and finding the 20 turtles, but I did love learning the food factoids and the names of fishes at the end of the book.
There was one or two spots though where I had issues, and this is why I bumped my rating from a 5 star to a 4 star. First, there was a scene where something was supposed to be conveyed regarding the Otters. It was easy enough to tell that something was wrong and Rosie was going to help, but what was wrong wasn't adequately expressed through the art that time. I had no idea what they were looking for until Rosie found it and that shouldn't be the case. It made me feel like I missed something so I even flipped back to check except I hadn't. Second, light font colors on white backgrounds or white font colors on light backgrounds should never be done. There were whole parts where I couldn't read the text or had to lean in, and squint, so much that it hurt my eyes. Mind you as well that this was an e-ARC which was mostly going to be read on a tablet or a computer or a phone which makes such text even more difficult to read. Perhaps this isn't an issue for the physical edition, but it should be taken into account for digital releases as it's definitely an issue.
Those two things aside, this was a really cute and enjoyable book.
November 3, 2025
Float is a fast-paced, delightfully chaotic picture book that shows just how quickly a “perfect day” can go sideways.
Rosie is thrilled for her aquarium visit – she’s imagined an ideal day filled with exhibits, fun, and best of all, a baby sea turtle. But one seagull, with one stolen lunch, is all it takes to flip her whole mood upside down. What follows is pure mayhem. Rosie bolts after the bird, racing from tank to tank in a spiral of impulsive emotions that just keep getting bigger and bigger.
Larry Daley illustrates this escalating chaos brilliantly. Kids will have a blast studying every page – there are so many tiny details to catch, from flying lunch crumbs to startled fish to the increasingly panicked people in the background. It’s the kind of book where kids will want to go back and look again, because each page reveals something new.
And in the middle of all the laughter and silliness, Float carries a meaningful lesson too. Rosie eventually sees how her actions affected everyone around her. She feels the embarrassment that comes after reacting without thinking. Fortunately, with the calm guidance of Mr. Gilley – the aquarium director who gently restores order – Rosie learns that when things go wrong, staying calm makes all the difference.
Kids will find this story hilarious and exciting, but they’ll also recognize the feeling of big emotions taking over. And Float offers a relatable, memorable reminder: even in the most chaotic moment, you can take a breath, pause, and choose a better response.
Rosie is thrilled for her aquarium visit – she’s imagined an ideal day filled with exhibits, fun, and best of all, a baby sea turtle. But one seagull, with one stolen lunch, is all it takes to flip her whole mood upside down. What follows is pure mayhem. Rosie bolts after the bird, racing from tank to tank in a spiral of impulsive emotions that just keep getting bigger and bigger.
Larry Daley illustrates this escalating chaos brilliantly. Kids will have a blast studying every page – there are so many tiny details to catch, from flying lunch crumbs to startled fish to the increasingly panicked people in the background. It’s the kind of book where kids will want to go back and look again, because each page reveals something new.
And in the middle of all the laughter and silliness, Float carries a meaningful lesson too. Rosie eventually sees how her actions affected everyone around her. She feels the embarrassment that comes after reacting without thinking. Fortunately, with the calm guidance of Mr. Gilley – the aquarium director who gently restores order – Rosie learns that when things go wrong, staying calm makes all the difference.
Kids will find this story hilarious and exciting, but they’ll also recognize the feeling of big emotions taking over. And Float offers a relatable, memorable reminder: even in the most chaotic moment, you can take a breath, pause, and choose a better response.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Float is a bright and engaging picture book that immediately grabs kids’ attention with its colorful illustrations and playful aquarium setting. The story follows a little girl who learns an important lesson about listening to directions and taking responsibility when things do not go as planned. The message comes through clearly without feeling preachy, making it easy for young kids to understand and relate to.
After reading, I asked my four year old what she liked most about the book, and she was very excited about the aquarium animals. She loved pointing out the different sea creatures and talking about which ones she would want to see in real life. The idea of helping clean up after making a mistake also stood out to her, even if the animals were clearly the main attraction. Honestly, she would probably be a Rosie herself.
On a more personal note, I really appreciated that the story mentions the girl’s dad. I know it seems like a small detail, but as a single dad, we read so many books where moms are the default parent. Seeing a dad included in such a natural way genuinely pulled at my heartstrings.
The nonfiction information about the animals at the end of the book was a nice bonus and added an educational layer that made the story feel more complete. Overall, Float is a fun, colorful book with a meaningful message, lovable characters, and thoughtful details that make it especially nice for families like ours.
After reading, I asked my four year old what she liked most about the book, and she was very excited about the aquarium animals. She loved pointing out the different sea creatures and talking about which ones she would want to see in real life. The idea of helping clean up after making a mistake also stood out to her, even if the animals were clearly the main attraction. Honestly, she would probably be a Rosie herself.
On a more personal note, I really appreciated that the story mentions the girl’s dad. I know it seems like a small detail, but as a single dad, we read so many books where moms are the default parent. Seeing a dad included in such a natural way genuinely pulled at my heartstrings.
The nonfiction information about the animals at the end of the book was a nice bonus and added an educational layer that made the story feel more complete. Overall, Float is a fun, colorful book with a meaningful message, lovable characters, and thoughtful details that make it especially nice for families like ours.
November 29, 2025
I'm gonna be honest, I really didn't like this book. I mean, on the one hand you can say it has a decent-ish message about keeping calm in tough situations, but outside of that there was a lot that I just didn't care for with the main plot. And it's not that I expect all children's books to be realistic or anything like that, but a story following a little girl chasing a rogue seagull who stole her lunch through a very busy aquarium, somehow managing to jump into various tanks and enclosures was stretching it a bit too much for me.
This is also very much a read to your kid sort of book, because the age range that it's for is definitely not going to be able to read it. This is not a good book for emerging readers; the complexity of language is too high and they're not gonna be able to decode all of those syllables unless they're reading above grade level.
The art is really what saved this book a little bit for me, but only a little. The characters and animals were bright and colorful. And it was really cool to have the animal facts at the end. I'm still, overall, pretty disappointed with the book as a whole, though.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is also very much a read to your kid sort of book, because the age range that it's for is definitely not going to be able to read it. This is not a good book for emerging readers; the complexity of language is too high and they're not gonna be able to decode all of those syllables unless they're reading above grade level.
The art is really what saved this book a little bit for me, but only a little. The characters and animals were bright and colorful. And it was really cool to have the animal facts at the end. I'm still, overall, pretty disappointed with the book as a whole, though.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2026
Recently, FLOAT, a debut picture book by author-editor Larry Daley, dropped into our world. This fun, engaging read includes hidden, buried surprises to entice readers trapped in the winter doldrums along with a subtle message on how to calm oneself when things don’t work out the way we'd like. What to do? You know . . .FLOAT!
Excitable, spunky main character Rosie knows her trip to the aquarium will be perfect. After all, she’s waited exactly twenty-three days, nine hours, eleven minutes, and nineteen seconds to see the baby sea turtle. But when a pesky seagull nabs her lunch, she’s frantic to retrieve it. In pursuit, she tangles with otters, penguins, seahorses, and even piranhas as they munch on her Slappy Sour Loopty Froots, lightly salted Corn Crackles, and even her fudge-covered Cookie Toes! (Such fun language in this book!)
When her madcap chase with the seagull leaves a trail of devastation throughout the aquarium Rosie is frustrated with herself and the mess she made. But the patient aquarium manager teaches Rosie to “float” and take a pause when the water gets rough.
FLOAT makes for a great read aloud with the humorous, kid-friendly language, and educators and librarians will appreciate the backmatter on what sea creatures really eat at snack time.
Excitable, spunky main character Rosie knows her trip to the aquarium will be perfect. After all, she’s waited exactly twenty-three days, nine hours, eleven minutes, and nineteen seconds to see the baby sea turtle. But when a pesky seagull nabs her lunch, she’s frantic to retrieve it. In pursuit, she tangles with otters, penguins, seahorses, and even piranhas as they munch on her Slappy Sour Loopty Froots, lightly salted Corn Crackles, and even her fudge-covered Cookie Toes! (Such fun language in this book!)
When her madcap chase with the seagull leaves a trail of devastation throughout the aquarium Rosie is frustrated with herself and the mess she made. But the patient aquarium manager teaches Rosie to “float” and take a pause when the water gets rough.
FLOAT makes for a great read aloud with the humorous, kid-friendly language, and educators and librarians will appreciate the backmatter on what sea creatures really eat at snack time.
March 1, 2026
To be honest my son and I didn't like this book much. For me, it was chaotically messy, not in exciting chaotic messy but more to annoying one. I might come as a strict mean mother but I don't like when my son not behave well, especially in public. And Rosie, the main character in this book rubbed me the wrong way. She was not behaving right. Well ok, she was only a kid, but still it was rude for her to jumped all over the places in public space, aquarium in this case. And I know this is children fiction but the way the story hold, as if it was ok to behave like Rosie did as long as you help cleaning the mess, was not on my line. I tried hard to straighten the story to my son so he could get the value out of the chaotic behavior Rosie had.
As for my son, he didn't like much of the story because he thought Rosie was reckless. He said what if the other animals got sick from human germs because of she jumped all over the aquarium. He also said she could be drowning from the way she swam.
Despite our opinions about the storylines, my son and I loved the illustrations. They were so colorful, full of details, and looked real. Definitely point plus for the illustrations.
Thank you to Larry Daley, Bookling Media, and NetGalley for the ARC.
As for my son, he didn't like much of the story because he thought Rosie was reckless. He said what if the other animals got sick from human germs because of she jumped all over the aquarium. He also said she could be drowning from the way she swam.
Despite our opinions about the storylines, my son and I loved the illustrations. They were so colorful, full of details, and looked real. Definitely point plus for the illustrations.
Thank you to Larry Daley, Bookling Media, and NetGalley for the ARC.
October 30, 2025
** ARC Review **
Larry Daley's Float is a dazzling picture book that perfectly captures the humorous chaos of a child's imagination. This delightful tale of Rosie, a spirited first-grader, and her relentless pursuit of a cheeky, snack-stealing seagull is a treat for both kids and the adults reading along. Daley's clever storytelling and vibrant illustrations bring the aquarium to life in a way that is both exciting and immersive.
What makes Float so special is its blend of madcap action and heartfelt lessons. While following Rosie's frantic chase through the exhibits—where she encounters hidden sea turtles and Bubbles the mischievous octopus—young readers also learn about managing frustration and pausing to appreciate the unexpected moments in life. It's a journey filled with giggles and discovery, and Daley's background in children's media shines through in every playful detail.
This book is more than just an adventure; it's an educational and emotional experience rolled into a single, beautifully illustrated package. With its quirky humor and ultimately kind message, Float is destined to become a beloved and often-revisited favorite on any family's bookshelf.
Larry Daley's Float is a dazzling picture book that perfectly captures the humorous chaos of a child's imagination. This delightful tale of Rosie, a spirited first-grader, and her relentless pursuit of a cheeky, snack-stealing seagull is a treat for both kids and the adults reading along. Daley's clever storytelling and vibrant illustrations bring the aquarium to life in a way that is both exciting and immersive.
What makes Float so special is its blend of madcap action and heartfelt lessons. While following Rosie's frantic chase through the exhibits—where she encounters hidden sea turtles and Bubbles the mischievous octopus—young readers also learn about managing frustration and pausing to appreciate the unexpected moments in life. It's a journey filled with giggles and discovery, and Daley's background in children's media shines through in every playful detail.
This book is more than just an adventure; it's an educational and emotional experience rolled into a single, beautifully illustrated package. With its quirky humor and ultimately kind message, Float is destined to become a beloved and often-revisited favorite on any family's bookshelf.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
All Rosie wants to do is have the perfect day at the aquarium and see her favorite animal, the baby turtles. Sadly, a seagull has other ideas, and when presented with flight or fight, Rosie chooses fight. She chases that seagull through the aquarium, going on her own unexpected adventure to get her lunch back.
As the readers, we get to experience Rosie's anger and frustration with each turn of the page. It is a story of emotions and growth. We even get a message to leave the story with, one that could be extremely useful when it comes to navigating emotions and upsets in life.
It's the message we can leave this story with is why I would recommend this for the classroom. It would be a great chance to have a conversation with your class (or your own littles) about what Rosie experienced and how she navigated it. While it might not have been perfect, some of the reactions did feel dramatic and over the top for a comedic effect, it was still a fun story I can see little ones enjoying.
Thank you NetGalley and Booking Media for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As the readers, we get to experience Rosie's anger and frustration with each turn of the page. It is a story of emotions and growth. We even get a message to leave the story with, one that could be extremely useful when it comes to navigating emotions and upsets in life.
It's the message we can leave this story with is why I would recommend this for the classroom. It would be a great chance to have a conversation with your class (or your own littles) about what Rosie experienced and how she navigated it. While it might not have been perfect, some of the reactions did feel dramatic and over the top for a comedic effect, it was still a fun story I can see little ones enjoying.
Thank you NetGalley and Booking Media for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I think this is a great way to teach the concept of staying calm and dealing with a situation that didn't go how you thought it would. When Rosie got to the aquarium, she thought she was going to have an amazing day, but things took a turn. With the help of Mr. Gilley, she realized her whole day wasn't ruined. She just needed to slow down and come up with a plan, which she did. She was even able to help Mr. Gilley with an important task! I had really hoped she would circle back around and visit the baby sea turtle one more time. I think that would of made the book feel a bit more "complete." The nonfiction section at the back had some great information about some different sea animals. There's even a cute little blurb about the author and his lunchbox. Overall, I think this is a wonderful story with a great lesson that all children should learn. If your child loves the ocean and learning about sea creatures, this might be the book for them. I would say this book would be appropriate for ages 3+.
Thank you Larry Daley and Bookling Media for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book via NetGalley! This review was written voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
Thank you Larry Daley and Bookling Media for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book via NetGalley! This review was written voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
March 3, 2026
I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookling Media for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I really wanted to like this book because I love turtles and aquariums (with a focus on preservation of wildlife and studying it) and pretty much all animals, but while I appreciated the message of the book overall (just float) I can't say I was "floating" with it.
Truth be told the storytelling is a little bit all over the place - it tries to be funny in that silly way that will make the little ones laugh once or twice but won't make them pick up the book a lot, it's funny in a forced way and it feels.
And then we come to the part I'm usually most looking for when it comes to picture books: the art, which was a letdown. It doesn't really flow, nor does it match together well when it's a full page illustration. It's simple and it feels like a beginner did it, which is not bad art, it's just that I want something else when it comes to picture books.
I really wanted to like this book because I love turtles and aquariums (with a focus on preservation of wildlife and studying it) and pretty much all animals, but while I appreciated the message of the book overall (just float) I can't say I was "floating" with it.
Truth be told the storytelling is a little bit all over the place - it tries to be funny in that silly way that will make the little ones laugh once or twice but won't make them pick up the book a lot, it's funny in a forced way and it feels.
And then we come to the part I'm usually most looking for when it comes to picture books: the art, which was a letdown. It doesn't really flow, nor does it match together well when it's a full page illustration. It's simple and it feels like a beginner did it, which is not bad art, it's just that I want something else when it comes to picture books.
November 2, 2025
Float is an absolute delight, and I think kids are going to love it just as much as I do. It feels like a virtual field trip to an aquarium—full of wonder, whimsy, and just the right touch of chaos. Beneath all the fun, there's a valuable lesson woven in about patience and resisting impulsivity—two traits that are great to start nurturing in young readers.
One of my favorite things about this book is how visually engaging it is. Each page is saturated with color and packed with little details just waiting to be discovered. There are hidden elements throughout, which will have kids eagerly searching and staying engaged, making it a truly interactive experience. The artwork is super cute, and the whole book just exudes joy.
This one definitely deserves a spot on your Christmas list. It's a wonderful mix of fun, learning, and visual magic—perfect for curious kids and the adults reading along with them.
One of my favorite things about this book is how visually engaging it is. Each page is saturated with color and packed with little details just waiting to be discovered. There are hidden elements throughout, which will have kids eagerly searching and staying engaged, making it a truly interactive experience. The artwork is super cute, and the whole book just exudes joy.
This one definitely deserves a spot on your Christmas list. It's a wonderful mix of fun, learning, and visual magic—perfect for curious kids and the adults reading along with them.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Pandemonium at the aquarium as a seagull snatches the whole lunchbox of an eager visitor – who then launches on a mission to get it back. Well, it was the best selection she'd ever seen, and she was so keen to wolf it all down and get to the baby turtles. It's a touch awkward we have to rely on the back cover to tell us what we're here for – the sealife spotting amongst the illustrations, at least. But even if we're ignorant of how we're supposed to track the escaping octopus, the pages aren't too bad – they're lively, and exuberant, and even if they don't really close with the girl getting what she wanted they do have a kind of "hakuna matata", don't-panic-just-chillax message. Which was probably vital, as if the aquarium didn't live by that philosophy the lass would be in deep water, considering the trespass and risk and damage she caused. Not a classic by any means, but not too bad for the fan of all things oceanic – three and a half starfish from me.
August 24, 2025
FLOAT definitely floated to the surface as one of my favorite picture book reads of the summer. After a visit to the beach this summer resulted in my daughter's dinner being snatched from her hand by a tenacious seagull, I have renewed appreciation for Rosie's plight.
With Larry Daley's bright, bold illustrations and a captivating storyline, this will be a great read aloud for multiple age groups. I am already dreaming up a myriad of ways to use this as for various storytimes: Seek -and- find, community-building, counting, SEL, prediction, problem-solving, map making, sequencing, ... I can't wait to introduce my patrons to FLOAT.
~Mollie Mulligan
Youth Services, Portsmouth (NH) Public Library
I received an ARC digital copy from the publisher, and am eagerly awaiting my hard copy to arrive.
With Larry Daley's bright, bold illustrations and a captivating storyline, this will be a great read aloud for multiple age groups. I am already dreaming up a myriad of ways to use this as for various storytimes: Seek -and- find, community-building, counting, SEL, prediction, problem-solving, map making, sequencing, ... I can't wait to introduce my patrons to FLOAT.
~Mollie Mulligan
Youth Services, Portsmouth (NH) Public Library
I received an ARC digital copy from the publisher, and am eagerly awaiting my hard copy to arrive.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I liked the information at the end of the book on various sea animals, but sadly, the rest of the book was just so-so. The art style wasn't to my personal liking, and if I think back to me as a child, I would have liked there to be more Things Happening and less Runs After The Seagull, especially considering this book is recommended for kids up to age 10.
The text itself also isn't very accessible to young readers, as it is frequently in the middle of the page, in a small font, surrounded by lots of pictures and difficult to find. I am an adult with a university education (and glasses) and struggled with finding all of it sometimes, I really do not think a 6 year old who still struggles with sounding out their words would be able to easily find the text.
I liked the information at the end of the book on various sea animals, but sadly, the rest of the book was just so-so. The art style wasn't to my personal liking, and if I think back to me as a child, I would have liked there to be more Things Happening and less Runs After The Seagull, especially considering this book is recommended for kids up to age 10.
The text itself also isn't very accessible to young readers, as it is frequently in the middle of the page, in a small font, surrounded by lots of pictures and difficult to find. I am an adult with a university education (and glasses) and struggled with finding all of it sometimes, I really do not think a 6 year old who still struggles with sounding out their words would be able to easily find the text.
February 14, 2026
I thought that this was a good story with a well developed plot.
The book focusses on a girl called Rosie who goes on a trip to Port City Aquarium to see a baby sea turtle. It is all going well until a Seagull steals her lunch and chaos ensues. We know she wanted to get her lunch back and she was angry but she was a bit naughty going in to the different animal enclosures so it was good to see tips to stay calm.
The saying at the Aquarium - "When the water gets rough just float" is a positive message and we did have a chat at home about what my daughter would have done if it was her lunch that was stolen too..
The illustrations suited the story and I liked the sheets at the end which gave some additional information on the animals in the story - a nice touch.
It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!
The book focusses on a girl called Rosie who goes on a trip to Port City Aquarium to see a baby sea turtle. It is all going well until a Seagull steals her lunch and chaos ensues. We know she wanted to get her lunch back and she was angry but she was a bit naughty going in to the different animal enclosures so it was good to see tips to stay calm.
The saying at the Aquarium - "When the water gets rough just float" is a positive message and we did have a chat at home about what my daughter would have done if it was her lunch that was stolen too..
The illustrations suited the story and I liked the sheets at the end which gave some additional information on the animals in the story - a nice touch.
It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!
August 26, 2025
Float is a lovely picture book that captures the ups and downs of one young girl's day with heart and humor. Rosie is eager to visit the baby sea turtles at the aquarium, but she finds her day derailed when a mischievous seagull steals her lunchbox. As Rosie navigates her big feelings—from excitement to frustration to calm—young readers will recognize themselves in her journey. The illustrations are stunning, bringing both the chaos and the quiet moments to life. Float would be a perfect addition to classrooms, libraries, and family bookshelves. I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and I am so glad I did!
March 7, 2026
Rosie is SUPER excited to see the baby sea turtle when her first grade class goes on a field trip to the aquarium. But an incident involving a seagull and a stolen lunch threaten to ruin the trip for her. The illustrations of Rosie's excitement and the havoc she causes is fun. But the best part of the book is when an understanding aquarium director helps Rosie recover from her storm of unhappy feelings and teaches her about the aquarium's motto the aquarium to "just float."
While the mayhem Rosie and the seagull cause wouldn't happen in real life, the feelings expressed through the illustrations are extremely relatable for impetuous young people (and their parents).
While the mayhem Rosie and the seagull cause wouldn't happen in real life, the feelings expressed through the illustrations are extremely relatable for impetuous young people (and their parents).
July 17, 2025
Solid debut picture book. I appreciated the color, mindfulness (particularly the relatable frustration and emotional processes), and whimsical adventure in this book. The misadventures of the story made me ponder "oh no, what else could go wrong..." and the memories of personal calamity days rushed into my mind. Fun for both emerging readers and adults alike. Creative hidden details of the book make it a fun re-readable story. The Animal Facts at the end are enlightening and appreciated. Dive right into this book.
August 27, 2025
I received an arc of Larry Daley's FLOAT, which grabs us on the first page and carries us along with Rosie as what should have been a "perfect" day trip to the aquarium goes steadily sideways As our pint-sized protagonist's troubles mount, Rosie must reach for a new perspective to salvage her day. Daley's dynamically detailed illustrations bring this tale of everything going so wrong, it's right, to vibrant life. It's a valuable message for the intended audience and a worthwhile reminder for adults who might be reading this to their favorite young ones.
October 28, 2025
at the end, the little facts about different fishes and sea creatures is interesting.
as for the content of the book, the point of the story is alright, but the process was rather boring. it was just chaotic in a super cliche manner.
and the art kinda sucks, i’m sorry…like, as a kid i wouldn’t have been interested in this art style for a book that’s mostly pictures.
like, aside from the anatomy and stuff, the characters look unappealing, and not in a fun or interesting way, but the details and colours make up for it. the book cover looks cool.
as for the content of the book, the point of the story is alright, but the process was rather boring. it was just chaotic in a super cliche manner.
and the art kinda sucks, i’m sorry…like, as a kid i wouldn’t have been interested in this art style for a book that’s mostly pictures.
like, aside from the anatomy and stuff, the characters look unappealing, and not in a fun or interesting way, but the details and colours make up for it. the book cover looks cool.
October 29, 2025
“Float” by Larry Daley was a unique book conveying many emotions common among younger elementary age kids. I loved the overall theme of overcoming a chaotic situation. This book made me laugh too. There were small details that made it extra fun, such as, an otter eating one of the protagonist’s peanut butter cookies. This is the kind of book that will give you something new to discover every time you read it. I highly recommend this for educators and parents of 5-8 year old children.
Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.
Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.
November 5, 2025
Float is an absolute delight and had me searching every piece of artwork within. Full of wonder, whimsy, and the same amount of chaos you can expect from a child at the Aquarium, this book captivated my interest and immediately had me reading more. It featured an amazing lesson for children about remaining calm when something doesn’t go their way.
Perfect for curious kids (and the adults reading to them)!
As a seagull stealing Rosie’s lunch started this ordeal, I loved how the ending featured facts about what various aquarium critters snacked on.
Perfect for curious kids (and the adults reading to them)!
As a seagull stealing Rosie’s lunch started this ordeal, I loved how the ending featured facts about what various aquarium critters snacked on.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a cute book about a girl’s visit to the aquarium. I think most kids will enjoy this, but as a mom I was not a fan of the girls’ interactions with the animals and jumping in tanks. Although there was a discussion about the mess she made and her volunteering to help clean up, there was nothing about safety or the impact of her actions on the animals. The primary font was small making it difficult to read. The overall message was good and kids will like looking for the octopus sneaking through the pages. The hidden sea turtles were impossible to locate and will frustrate little ones,
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When the water gets rough, just float
The day has finally come... the long-awaited aquarium visit. Rosie is super excited because she wants to meet the baby sea turtle. She believes today will be the perfect day, and that nothing will go wrong.
But sadly, it doesn’t turn out that way. How will she fix the mess she created? Will her day get better?
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I love the storyline, the graphics, and the sea creature information included at the end. I think it’s informative and fun at the same time.
Recommended for children aged 5 and above.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book and therefor I am giving this 5 stars.
Not only was the story super cute and so true that seagulls love to steal peoples food whenever they get a chance but it also teaches real life lessons and how to just FLOAT. When having a bad day or something isn't going the way its planned out to go instead of just go with the float JUST FLOAT.
The end of the book has educational information on what sea creatures like to eat for snacks and it list a lot of fish and labels the different kinds.
Its super cute!
Thank you #NetGalley for the early read.
#LarryDaley #Float
Not only was the story super cute and so true that seagulls love to steal peoples food whenever they get a chance but it also teaches real life lessons and how to just FLOAT. When having a bad day or something isn't going the way its planned out to go instead of just go with the float JUST FLOAT.
The end of the book has educational information on what sea creatures like to eat for snacks and it list a lot of fish and labels the different kinds.
Its super cute!
Thank you #NetGalley for the early read.
#LarryDaley #Float
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