Ella and Monkey at Sea

Leaving home and traveling to a whole new place is overwhelming, so it’s good to have a beloved toy who can help express how you feel.

Ella’s best friend, Monkey, doesn’t like good-bye hugs. He doesn’t want to say good-bye to Oma. And he doesn’t want to move away forever. Neither does Ella. But Papa is waiting for them in New York. So Ella and Monkey must board the ship with Mama and leave their old home in Holland for their new home in America. Along the way, there is fish for dinner (Monkey hates fish), a playroom full of new kids (Monkey doesn’t like strangers), and stormy seas that leave everyone feeling sick.

Can Ella and Monkey find a way to weather the storm? Will they ever feel at home again? This sweetly illustrated picture book will appeal to anyone who has left home behind — and to children who find creative ways to share their emotions.

Book features :

• A fresh take on the classic immigrant story, inspired by the author's own experience emigrating from Holland to America as a 5-year-old.
• A terrific read for kids struggling to express their emotions.
• An ode to the power of art to bring people happiness.

About the Author

Emilie Boon was born in the Netherlands and spent her childhood in California and Mexico. She is the illustrator or author-illustrator of more than twenty books. She says Ella and Monkey at Sea was inspired by her own childhood experience sailing to America, when there really was a hurricane, and she really did draw a picture of the sun during the storm. Emilie Boon lives in the Boston area.