THE MAGIC COIN

Under the sea, there’s a sucker born every minute.

When a sly, grinning whale named Al Caponefish steals a shiny quarter from a display at Oyster’s shop, it isn’t long before he’s overwhelmed by the fear of discovery. Desperate to be rid of the accursed coin, Al sells it to Gentleman Johnny, the sea turtle, with flowery promises of its lucky powers. After reflection, Johnny then sells it to Man Ray for even more money, making even more ludicrous claims about the coin’s capabilities. Each time the coin passes hands (or fins), its value increases and its purported abilities verge on the outlandish. At last, Nellie Narwhal sells it to Goldfish, who kindly gives it to Oyster, getting a much-appreciated lollipop in return. Remmerts de Vries eschews any obvious messaging, allowing young readers the chance to ponder if Goldfish is truly the winner in this equation or “the biggest sucker in the ocean,” as Nellie says. The standout feature of this Dutch import, however, is the risographed photography of the Spanish Pyrenees. A blue filter has been placed over the multitude of mountains and abandoned villages that the sea creatures swim in and about. The result renders the book dreamlike, even as the sometimes-cartoonish characters pop against it.

Grift and goodness bookend this clever examination of what it is we value.