Anemone is not the Enemy

Anemone is not the Enemy is a charming and insightful picture book by Anna McGregor, blending humour and marine science in a thoughtful tale of friendship and self-awareness. Anemone lives alone in a rock pool, dreaming of companionship but stinging every creature that gets too close. With minimal yet expressive text and vibrant illustrations, this story highlights the natural behaviours of sea creatures and subtly introduces biological concepts such as symbiosis. When Clownfish arrives, there is hope for friendship without harm. Shortlisted for the 2021 Children's Book Council Awards, this story is ideal for sparking curiosity about marine life and fostering empathy in young readers.

Educational Benefits:

• Introduces early biology and animal behaviour in an accessible way.
• Develops emotional literacy through themes of loneliness and acceptance.
• Encourages inferencing and prediction skills with visual storytelling.
• Inspires curiosity about ocean ecosystems and science.

Classroom Ideas:

• Create a rock pool mural to reinforce learning about sea life.
• Use the book as a starting point for discussing emotions and personal boundaries.
• Explore the concept of symbiotic relationships in science lessons.
• Encourage students to write or draw their own stories about underwater creatures.

Safety & Information:

• Ages: 4+ years
• Format: Hardback
• Pages: 32 pages
• Dimensions: 227 x 296 mm