RUFFEN

A small sea serpent becomes a big hero in this mildly offbeat Norwegian import. Having missed the boat when the swimming lessons were being handed out, Ruffen is mocked by his fellow monsters—until he helps an octopus named 1492 (in honor of Columbus’s first voyage, don’t you know), secretly receives lessons in return and then, during a massive storm, rescues a beleaguered ocean liner. In contrast to the text’s matter-of-fact tone, the comical black-and-white illustrations—which include highlights in, mostly, monochrome yellow and yellowish-green—feature a large clan of sea serpents resembling oversized, heavily scaled tadpoles with soulful eyes and tangles of distinctly spaghetti-like hair. Having towed the short yet uncommonly tall ship into New York Harbor, Ruffen returns in triumph to his family, sporting a huge gold medal and singing a merry ditty (musical arrangement provided) about a fierce dragon who flew “with help / from a twisted rubber band.” Ruffen’s not quite another Little Toot, but younger readers will be pleased to see his fortitude properly recognized. (Picture book. 7-8)