Common Sense Media Review
By Susan Faust
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
The enigmatic eel inspires a splendid tribute to curiosity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The child reader, is invited to become a slimy, sleek eel in the opening spread of A RIDDLE OF EELS. That way, the narrative suggests, "You could somehow pass along word of what it is like." Then the author could "put it in a picture book." What follows is a comparison of what is known about otters, the albatross, and blue whales (lots) and what's known about eels (not so much). It seems the more we study eels, the less we know. The book goes on to examine why the eel is so enigmatic, having prompted conjecture from scientists, naturalists, and philosophers from classical times to the present. For example, over a century ago, Johannes Schmidt set out to answer the Eel Question about where eels come from. The Sargasso Sea figures in, but even Schmidt could never fully unravel secrets of eel migration or reproduction. A riddle is raised: "If a book about eels doesn't tell you about eels, then what does it tell you about?" This one tells about "the vast, wondrous world that's still unknown to us." An afterword sums up what is still mysterious about eels, including the precipitous decline of their population world-wide. There is also a list of sources.
Is It Any Good?
This splendid nonfiction picture book bolsters knowledge, raises questions, and inspires curiosity. With accuracy and artistry, A Riddle of Eels models exemplary nonfiction. It explores the fact that sometimes more is unknown to us than is known about an animal, and the enigmatic eel is a case in point. We still do not understand its migration and reproduction, and the historic Eel Question remains unanswered. With perfectly modulated layouts, the watery multi-media illustrations add information, context, humor, and a sense of wonder. With small fins and cute smiles, hundreds of eels swarm across the pages of this surprisingly cross-disciplinary work. The use of language is noteworthy. It is inviting and informative, playful and poetic as needed. (Intriguing definitions even slip in with assistance from Winston Churchill.) Some scientists, naturalists, and philosophers get cameos, having generated different eel theories over time. Sleek, slimy eels remind us that, despite a world awash in information, "sometimes there's a crack in our wall of knowledge." This book is about continuing to fill that crack with awareness and awe, knowledge and understanding. A Riddle of Eels is simply a nonfiction picture book at its very best.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can discuss what is known and not known about eels as covered in A Riddle of Eels. What else would you like to know about them?
What did you know about eels before reading this book? Can you name three facts that you learned from the book?
Have you ever seen an eel in nature? Have you ever seen an eel at an aquarium? What do you think about what you saw? Did seeing an eel make you more curious?
This book uses a pun with eels: :"That's a real eel of a problem." What is a pun? Do you ever use puns yourself?
Johannes Schmidt was an eel researcher in the last century. He was curious and persevering. What are you curious about? Are you ever persevering the face of a challenge?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Corey R. Tabor
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Perseverance
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Studio
- Publication date : September 8, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 48
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 28, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate