Skip to main content

Mossy the Manatee by Nika Tomljenovic

With a nickname like “The Sunshine State,” it’s no wonder that Florida is a top destination for vacationers. That sun-soaked peninsula lives up to the hype with its legendary beaches of white sand and salty ocean spray. But to one inhabitant of Florida, that’s not the paradise he’s looking for. He dreams of a far-off land up in the north, where the winds bite with a chill and snow drifts down from an overcast sky. That utopian location? Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Meet the protagonist of Mossy the Manatee, written by Nika Tomljenovic and illustrated by Melissa Salvarani. This charming children’s book tells the story of “a unique manatee, who looks a little different because he’s covered in algae. His name is Mossy and has a special keepsake — a snow globe that shaped his lifelong dream, to feel a snowflake.”

That snow globe of a Cape Cod lighthouse is Mossy’s prize possession, and it’s what inspired his big dream to swim up to New England and catch his first glimpse of snow. There’s just one problem — Florida manatees are meant to stay in the warm waters of the Gulf Coast, and their bodies can’t handle the cold of a Massachusetts winter. When a school show-and-tell goes horribly wrong and his classmates make fun of his far-out dream, Mossy is more than a little discouraged. But with some support, he comes to realize that his aspirations are a part of what makes him special, and that no dream is too big for even the littlest manatee.

GROWING SELF-CONFIDENCE AND ALGAE ALIKE

Aimed at children ages 5-8, Mossy the Manatee uses lovable characters and playful rhymes to tell a story of perseverance and triumph against the judgment of others. From the beginning of the book, it’s clear that Mossy doesn’t only feel embarrassed about his dream to see snow — he’s also self-conscious about the algae that grows on him. These two factors come together to chip away at Mossy’s confidence until he believes that he isn’t worthy of his great ambitions. But with some encouragement from his mother and his friend Thomas, Mossy realizes that it’s his uniqueness that will enable him to make the trek to Cape Cod. Using his signature mossy cover as a thick coat, he’s able to brave the cold waters and finally see snow with his own eyes.

The story’s prose blend with Salvarani’s delicate, painterly illustrations, oftentimes overlaying the image to become a part of the art. The tender illustrations perfectly encapsulate the gentle tone of the story, where the love the characters share for Mossy can be felt through the page. The narrative shows that with the right support system and encouragement, children have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. It’s a moral not only for young readers, but for those around them as well — from classmates who may point out the differences in their peers, to parents unsure of how best to help a child who’s struggling with self-confidence. Moving and sweet, Mossy the Manatee is an inspiring tale that helps readers recognize that no matter what others may think, every child has the potential for greatness within them.

 

About Nika Tomljenovic:

Nika Tomljenovic is an author, playwright, scriptwriter and video game writer. She received her MA in Creative Writing from City, University of London. Her plays, Medicine and Spectacular, have been produced in New York City and throughout Canada. Her screenwriting credits include the short film, No More No Less, which was part of the London-based, Pinewood Studio’s Lift-Off Sessions. More recently, Nika has been adapting her writing to video games in the crypto space and children’s literature.

 

About Melissa Salvarani:

Melissa Salvarani has been involved in creativity for over 20 years. She deals with editorial illustration, graphics (including coordinated images for companies, logos, catalogs, packaging), fashion and technological accessories design. In 2009 she created the BonbonsLab brand, recovering recover vintage objects and create original furnishing accessories.

Mossy the Manatee by Nika Tomljenovic
Author: Nika Tomljenovic
Cameron Kimball

Cameron Kimball is an illustrator, graphic artist and writer. She graduated from Pratt Institute with a degree in Communications Design and a minor in Art History. She’s a member of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators and the Society of Illustrators. Cameron lives in Connecticut and when she’s not writing or drawing, she can be found in a café drinking tea and listening to Celtic folk music. For more of her work, visit her website at https://cameronkimball.myportfolio.com/

Leave a Reply