I need to change my worst book read this year. It is actually, Seemore the Seagull by Ralph Tufo.
And while my dislike does not come from the fact that I think I could do better (I am not an illustrator, or even a serious writer), it is coming from the fact the book has some major flaws for my personal tastes.
At first, the rhyming of the text was fun, if not a bit on the cliché side. But it then felt forced quickly as the subject of being kind and sharing comes into play. This “sharing and caring” idea has been done before. It has been done better, and less “in your face.” This (while nothing wrong with vanity printing/press) is a vanity printing. Tufo had a story, and they then self-publish. At least, if it is not self-published, it has the feeling of being self-published. It is unfinished, needing of an editor and was heavy in text and length.
The illustrations are simple, even simplistic (and not necessarily in a good way), with off colors and details. Nothing is cozy to the eye. It looks like something someone who can draw creates but has not been professionally taught.
Overall, this story is lacking in more ways than it has positive. I do try to find something to like in all books as I know maybe it is not for me but will be for someone else. But this time I am at a loss for finding something positive outside of at first, I liked the poetic rhyming scheme. And yet, even that quickly became a negative as well.