Peanut Butter and Jellyfish

Author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka uses brilliant acrylic colors to depict underwater neon sea creatures and plants in this fun animated tale—based on the 2014 picture book—that follows frolicking best buddies Peanut Butter the seahorse and Jellyfish (the jellyfish). Grouchy neighborhood bully Crabby is usually on hand to make smart remarks to the titular duo, charging them with crimes such as swimming “like humans,” smelling “like rotten barnacles,” and basically being “bubbleheads.” Reasoning that “driftwood and seastones may break our bones,” but taunting doesn't really hurt, PB and J do the right thing when they hear Crabby crying after being stuck in a lobster trap. Also featuring a “making-of” segment with Krosoczka, and a read-along option, this friendship-themed story is backed by the music of Scotty Huff and buoyant narration by Krosoczka himself (who adds a funny East Coast gruffness to illustrate Crabby's bad attitude). Recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)