  | Ellie has a secret Author: Bothe, Amelia | |
| Price: $23.98 | ||
Summary:
Ellie would never dream of taking something from her classroom without asking her teacher first. But the shell she finds during recess is particularly peculiar, and has a mysterious critter living inside it! Surprising even herself, she pops it in her pocket as a little secret when no one is looking. It's not long before the creature outgrows the shell and starts to weigh Ellie down. Does Ellie have a Secret or does the Secret have her?
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (06/15/25)
Booklist (+) (12/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 05/19/2025 The indoor sandbox in Ellie’s classroom holds an item that calls to her: a smooth seashell, dappled and glossy, "with a ridge along the opening that she ran her thumb across," writes Bothe in this artful picture book debut. In an impulsive moment, the pale-skinned child drops it into her pocket. At lunch, a creature emerges from the shell, hissing "in a voice that sounded like dripping water, ‘I am your Secret.’ " Green and unsettlingly sinuous, the Secret looks like an ancient sea monster. And it keeps growing: digital illustrations, which have the burnished colors and atmospheric lighting of classical art, show Ellie dragging the now-enormous being home through the rain, then getting edged out of bed. Summoning her courage, Ellie finally tells her mother the truth, resolves to return the shell, and watches as the Secret shrinks away. The story unfolds as a striking metaphor for how secrets can become overwhelming burdens, while promising that coming clean may represent not just relief but also a personal and empowering choice. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4-8. (Aug.) - Copyright 2025
Booklist - 08/01/2025 *Starred Review* A young girl grapples with guilt over secretly taking something that isn’t hers. Sifting through the classroom sandbox, Ellie is transfixed by a glossy seashell and impulsively drops the “beautiful little thing” in her pocket. Sitting away from her friends at the lunch table, she surreptitiously admires her precious new treasure. While gazing at the object of her fascination, a malleable, dragon-like entity writhes out of the shell and, in a voice that sounds like “dripping water,” hisses an introduction: “I am your Secret.” Ellie happily carries the Secret with her wherever she goes, thrilled that it is “hers and hers alone.” Although mischievously endearing at first, the glinty-eyed creature quickly grows larger and starts to weigh Ellie down. Like a classic fable, Bothe’s metaphoric story superbly explores the toll of keeping a secret. Cinematic digital artwork, with slightly ominous, surreal details, shows the freckle-faced little girl struggling to hold her gigantic beast of burden on the school bus. At home, Ellie can’t enjoy admiring her shell and hides it under her bed. Harboring the Secret prevents the child from eating or sleeping, but finally confessing her transgression to her parents brings welcome relief. An arresting picture-book debut. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
