Because my school’s only vendor is Scholastic, I sometimes miss out on quieter picture books that don’t come with big buzz. Every once in a while, though, a title stands out immediately — and Ursula Upside Down by Corey R. Tabor was one of those books I’m especially glad I didn’t miss.
At first glance, it feels like a simple, charming picture book. But as I read, it quickly revealed itself as a thoughtful story with big ideas — one that works beautifully for classrooms, libraries, and SEL lessons.
The story follows Ursula, a catfish who lives her life happily in what she believes is a perfectly normal world. She swims, eats, and goes about her day without question. There’s just one thing readers notice right away: Ursula’s world is upside down.
Everything feels right to Ursula… until one day, another fish points out that she’s upside down. Suddenly, something that never bothered her before becomes impossible to ignore. Ursula begins questioning herself, her world, and whether something is “wrong” with her.
Just as doubt starts to creep in, Ursula meets a friendly bat — who, of course, also lives upside down. Through this unexpected friendship, Ursula begins to see things differently and realizes that being upside down isn’t a flaw at all. It’s simply who she is.
The Good
This book is a fantastic SEL read-aloud with a clear but gentle message about self-acceptance, confidence, and perspective. The text is accessible and engaging, and the illustrations perfectly reinforce the idea that there’s more than one way to see the world.
It’s the kind of book that naturally invites discussion. Students want to talk about how Ursula feels, why her confidence wavers, and how perspective can change understanding.
The Not-So-Good (From a School Librarian Lens)
There’s very little to flag here. Some students may strongly relate to Ursula’s moment of self-doubt, so it’s helpful to pause and talk through those feelings as a class. That emotional moment, however, is exactly what makes this book such an effective teaching tool.
One small thing to note is that the book occasionally requires readers to turn the book around to follow Ursula’s perspective, which may momentarily confuse some younger readers. That said, this is easily explained during a read-aloud and can actually become part of the conversation about perspective — reinforcing the book’s central message in a very literal way.
About the Author
Corey R. Tabor is well known for creating thoughtful picture books that blend humor, heart, and big ideas. Many teachers and librarians will recognize his Caldecott Honor–winning book Mel Fell, as well as other beloved titles like Snail Crossing and Simon and the Better Bone.
In Ursula Upside Down, Tabor once again demonstrates his talent for taking a simple concept — in this case, being upside down — and turning it into a meaningful story about identity, confidence, and perspective.
Classroom Extension Ideas
This book is incredibly easy to extend beyond an SEL lesson and into science instruction, making it a great cross-curricular choice.
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Introduce students to the real upside-down catfish that lives in the Congo River
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Discuss why this adaptation is helpful for survival
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Compare Ursula to other animals with unique adaptations (bats, owls, chameleons, etc.)
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Ask students: How does being different help animals survive?
These conversations help students see that being “different” often serves a purpose — both in nature and in ourselves.
Overall
Ursula Upside Down is a thoughtful, engaging picture book that reflects everything Corey R. Tabor does best. Like Mel Fell, it uses perspective in a clever way to explore deeper ideas, and it’s no surprise given his award-winning track record.
This is a book I would confidently recommend for classrooms, libraries, and SEL collections — one that sparks meaningful discussion while still feeling light, accessible, and kid-friendly.
Recommended Grade Levels
PreK–2
(With strong discussion potential for older elementary students as well.)
Why Your Students Will Love It
Students will connect immediately to Ursula’s curiosity and confusion. The upside-down world feels playful and surprising, and the friendship with the bat adds warmth and reassurance. Most importantly, kids walk away with a powerful message: there’s nothing wrong with being yourself — even if your world looks a little different from everyone else’s.
