Ursula Upside Down by Corey R. Tabor (review)

Reviewed by: Ursula Upside Down by Corey R. Tabor Kate Quealy-Gainer, Editor Tabor, Corey R. Ursula Upside Down; written and illus. by Corey R. Tabor. Balzer + Bray, 2024 40p Trade ed. ISBN 9780063275560 19. 99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780063393882 12. 99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 4-7 yrs Ursula is quite a contented catfish, happily swimming along while weeds sway above her in the water and the sun shines from below. She's thrown for a loop, then, when another fish informs her that she's actually been swimming upside down and her perspective quite literally flips (along with the book). The "right" way doesn't feel right, especially with her smile turning into a frown, and a discombobulated Ursula ends up jumping right out of the water onto the shore. Fortunately, she gets some help from Vern the bat, who not only returns her to the water but changes her perspective again, asking who gets to decide which way is right. Viewers are sure to giggle from the first page as a duck glides below Ursula on the surface of the water. Tabor guarantees audience engagement by utilizing the physical format of the book, asking the reader to flip it upside down (or is it right side up? ) along with Ursula's changing perspective. The dappled textured and light smudginess of the watercolor art is well suited to the aquatic setting, and Ursula herself is softly rounded with jaunty whiskers and a cheerful smile (even her frown is rather charming). A closing spread shows Ursula in good company, as a snake, monkey, snail, and iguana all hang from the branches over the water, and an author's note gives further detail about upside-down catfish and bats. Copyright © 2024 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois