The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster: A Tale of Picky Eating

Author A.W. Flaherty (who is also a neurologist) narrates this iconographic version of her 2007 picture book, illustrated by Scott Magoon. Set in the 1920s, the story follows young Katerina-Elizabeth as she journeys across the big pond on an ocean liner bound for Scotland to visit her grandma. Although Katerina-Elizabeth is a fine little traveler, she is not thrilled with her daily gooey and gray breakfast oatmeal, which she manages to routinely toss out a porthole into the ocean…where it is scarfed up by a sea worm, who follows the ship—growing ever larger thanks to the girl's gruel. Ultimately, worm and lass become friends, a relationship that continues even after the ship arrives and the worm settles along the River Ness (where, fortunately, lots of kids throw their most-hated foods), maintaining a low profile except for rare publicity appearances. DVD extras include the bonus segment “The Science of It All” (in which Flaherty discusses the biology of pickiness) and a separate conversation with the author. Recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)