[A] wonder-inspiring tribute to these aquatic animals and their “otherworldly light.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
A necessary purchase, this glorious collaboration between author and illustrator brings the world of jellyfish to unforgettable life.
—School Library Journal (starred review)
The seamless integration of varied artistic approaches—from naturalistic painting to technical illustration—makes each spread feel distinct yet cohesive; this thought-provoking marriage of art and science celebrates both knowledge and mystery. An imaginative triumph that will mesmerize readers as thoroughly as the creatures it portrays.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
With typical virtuosity, Ibatoulline gives each poem’s illustration a different look, ranging from melodramatic pop art to dreamy surrealism, from isolated specimens drawn in clinical detail to a tumultuous Japanese woodblock–style fantasy. Young audiences will be as captivated by the visual dialogue as by the poet’s informative, whimsical, wondering reflections.
—Booklist (starred review)
Weatherford turns her poetic gaze upon the pulsing, glowing, stinging members of the subphylum Medusozoa, offering readers a kaleidoscopic view of many of the “nearly four thousand jellyfish species” that exist. . . . Ibatoulline is an impressively versatile illustrator, and he demonstrates his talents here, styling each spread individually. . . . [A] dazzling collaboration.
—The Horn Book (starred review)
A treasure chest of wonders, just waiting to be opened by curious young readers. It showcases the ingenious wordsmithing of the award-winning, prolific Carole Boston Weatherford, and the creative versatility of Bagram Ibatoulline, illustrator of over 30 books. . . . The sheer inventiveness of this book is mesmerizing; each spread a surprise. Fourteen Ways of Looking at Jellyfish is an absolute delight, as well as a testament to the powers of careful observation, research, knowledge and creativity.
—BookPage (starred review)
[The] overall effect is one of awed wonder. . . .
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Wowza! Fourteen Ways of Looking at Jellyfish is freakin’ brilliant. One of the best nonfiction books of all time 2026. Heck, one of the BEST BOOKS OF 2026!!!
—Colby Sharp, 5th Grade Teacher
Extraordinarily beautiful and more than a little wise. . . . Ibatoulline’s style is probably best described as “dreamlike realism”. . . . The fact of the matter is that Weatherford smashed poetry and science together and Ibatoulline then put his back into making it all writhe and undulate on the page. This. Book. Is. Fun. And quite frankly, we could use a little more fun with our nonfiction verse. . . .
—Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production
