Seahorses Are Sold Out

A lockdown bestseller and high spirited story about an enterprising only child and a single-father’s juggle to work from home.

Mika’s father works from home and he’s very busy! He can never find time for the promised swimming trip. So Dad allows Mika to choose a pet from the store while he finishes the project—something quiet like a mouse. And so begins a wonderfully turbulent story in which Mika brings home one animal after another… The mouse gets lost so they need a dog to find it. The dog is followed by a seal, the seal a penguin. One pet for Mika leads to another and another. How many animals can come to stay before a harassed father notices?

A relatable, cheerful and wild picture book for families during lockdown, with a single-parent juggling working from home and childcare. Celebrating Mika’s initiative and creativity, this is a fun and absurd story ideal for 5-7 year olds to read independently or together. Featuring a single dad working from home and gender neutral child, Mika, this picture book allows young readers of all ages to identify with diverse characters.

"I love the way Mika is independent, makes their own fun, and handles any difficulties that arise.  The illustrations, which look to be paint and crayon, are colorful and full of motion and detail. Mika’s dad, while utterly immersed in work, is also kind and is drawn with love and warmth."

Starred review

"Lively, colorful illustrations drawn in loose black outlines track this incredible saga of a bored kid, an opportunistic pet-shop owner, and a clueless father in comic double-page spreads chronicling Mika’s wild, unsupervised activities, culminating in a surprising climax. Absolutely hilarious."

Constanze Spengler is an author and illustrator living in Hamburg, Germany.

Katja Gehrmann writes and illustrates children’s books. She studied illustration in Mexico, Spain and Hamburg, Germany, where she now lives.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.