It Could Be Worse

Written & illustrated by Einat Tsarfati

Two shipwrecked sailors face absurd challenges, but can optimism prevail over disaster?

3.8/5 Goodreads · 173 ratings

40 pages

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Stranded at sea, Albertini and George face bizarre challenges: sickly flying fish, earworm-singing mermaids, and a ghost ship of pirates. While Albertini despairs, George's harmonica and optimism suggest things could be worse. As they encounter a whale with tuna breath, can friendship turn their luck around? Dive into this whimsical tale of survival and perspective.

From the publisher

Could it get any worse? Two shipwrecked sailors have different views of an absurd series of dilemmas in a wry, visually lavish tale for pessimists and optimists alike. As a pair of shipwrecked sailors float on what’s left of their ship, Albertini is none too happy. The rain, he observes, is unfair enough. Then the flying fish appear overhead–the ones with the sick stomachs. And the singing mermaids, leaving infernal earworms in their wake. There’s the ghost ship full of pirates and the ark teeming with ravenous beasts. But no matter how bad the situation seems, George, cheerfully playing his harmonica, reminds his friend it could always be worse. Ahhhh! But hang on . . . is that a giant whale with an overpowering case of tuna breath? Delightfully detailed illustrations add visual comedy to a meditation on tough times that shows that even the worst days can turn around–especially with friends.

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