BE A HERO WITH SKIPPER THE SEAL

Admiral William H. McRaven’s adaption of his bestselling adult title The Hero Code (2021) with his daughter, Kelly Marie McRaven.

Wearing a military uniform and having “completed his training,” Skipper’s assigned a mission by the president (a bald eagle clad in suit and tie): “to find the greatest heroes of all.” Heading back to base, Skipper encounters his cat friend bravely defending a frog against a bullying shark. Here’s Skipper’s first hero! As the day proceeds, he finds more heroes, including the Giving Gorilla, a firefighter; the Caring Cow, a doctor; and the Persevering Penguin, who serves food at a homeless shelter. All offer solid words of wisdom, but Skipper needs one more hero: the little frog who was bullied by the shark. The Forgiving Frog accepts the shark’s apology, and Skipper the Seal declares, “There’s no greater hero than those who forgive.” The team members work together to rescue passengers from a sinking ship. Skipper introduces them to the president, who awards each a medal. Skipper leaves readers with a few final words: “Be a hero in all that you do!” Written in serviceable verse, this upbeat, slightly didactic story featuring a personable protagonist should encourage children to be heroic any way they can; the numerous examples—from the Funny Fox, who helps out by making his friends laugh, to the Humble Horse, a hockey player who knows the value of cooperating—prove that heroism isn’t about size or strength. The rousing, cartoony digital illustrations are appealing.

Don’t skip this lively, feel-good story.