Trapper

Serendipity

by Stephen Cosgrove, Robin James (Illustrator)

A tuneless harp seal teaches a selfish monster a lesson in sharing the beauties of nature.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I vaguely remember this one from my childhood reads. It was so cute that he would try his hardest to sing but no one could actually stand to hear him (sounds me) and then start to disappear.

What throws it for a loop is that he seals don't seem to care that they are all disappearing but rather selfish enough to think that it is all the best for them. And then when Trapper is left alone he works to find the mystery while finding out that being alone isn't all fun and games.

Fortunately the way that Trapper saves the day with its own beautiful lesson is also a save for the book.

[Mely · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
We've really enjoyed the books in this series. Great morals to teach and the illustrations are adorable. Only thing I found negative about this particular story, was that they used the words "dumb" and "stupid". For an early reader book, I don't think these words are appropriate.

[Super Piss Baby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book second hand for nostalgia. I use to own a few by this duo as a child. I always loved the pretty art and how the eyes were always so soulful. The book has yet to loose it’s childlike grace and wonder and for that I am thankful.

[Robert Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story.

[Rose | Belletrist Anarchist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, but I do want to note that there were a couple words used that I wasn’t a fan of. “Stupid” and “dumb” just don’t feel appropriate for a children’s book.

Mind you, this book was published in 1981. I just think that in the modern world, we’ve learned to be a little wiser with our word choices, especially when relating to children’s literature.

I mean I reckon the character was a jerk who said these things, but still.

[Shayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a seal named Trapper. He lives on the ice with his fellow seal friends who can sing beautifully, but he usually ruins their pretty music, because he is tone deaf. One day Trapper notices that his fellow seals are disappearing. And he finds out that this monster is stealing his friends because he likes pretty things. So Trapper teaches this monster a lesson, the monster releases Trapper’s friends. And they become best friends.
I like this book because there is text on one side of the page, and there is a detailed picture on the other side of the page. The text and pictures complement one another. There is also a moral to be learned at the end of the story. Which make this book a very worthy read.
I would use this book to teach my children. They would enjoy looking at the pictures, and they would also learn some great life lessons. They would be better kids for reading this book.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basic plot: A seal saves the day.

I think I got my first Serendipity book through a Scholastic book order or book fair. I quickly became obsessed and collected a ton and a half of them as a child. I would spend hours just looking at the pictures because the art is simply gorgeous. The stories were whimsical and fun, and always ended with some sort of life lesson for kids. I kept reading these books long after other picture books had been set aside.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every kid should read this and take it to heart. It's about not taking something just because it is beautiful...a lesson that extends into adulthood during dating (tell me I'm wrong here...but too many guys think they have a right to claim something they want just because it's "pretty"). It teaches kids not to have a sense of entitlement and greed. This also has implications environmentally, claiming forests or other beautiful lands and trying to claim ownership that we aren't entitled to.

[Arwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the Serendipty books. Trapper focuses on a group of singing seals that begin to disappear in ones and twos until only Trapper, the one Seal who can't stay in tune, is left. A creature called Muttsok is taking them because he wants all the beautiful things to himself. Trapper teaches him to appreciate beauty without hoarding it.

[Lauren Salisbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember checking out these books at our elementary school library all the time. All the kindergartners and first graders were obsessed with them for some reason. I don't remember a lot about them really, other than the fact that my parents hated them.

[Cws]

JAR4-Cos

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing for my thoughts and memories of the Serendipity series!

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

read these books in the thrid grade i thought they were the funniest things, alos they halped me learn english while i was still young and did not speak the language

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one I remember reading many times as a child.

[Karl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't remember these being so didactic when I read them as a kid, but TS seemed to enjoy this one. I need to dig up more of these Serendipity titles.

[Alysha DeShaé · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little story.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic. Loved it as a kid and my kids love it now.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating System:
* not worth finishing, ** would not recommend, *** would recommend, **** would highly recommend, ***** have/would read again.