Originally published in 1996, this epistolary children’s book tells us the peculiar summer adventures of a young girl named Venola. Amongst all those summer events, Venola corresponds with the ‘Imperial Magic Sea Monkey Company’ about her frustrating experience trying to hatch Sea-Monkeys, and the eventual disappointment about what they actually are.
This book ended up having a short lifespan in the market, as the usage of the ‘Sea Monkeys’ trademark was not authorized by Educational Insights or Transcience at the time, making its usage of ‘Sea-Monkeys’ in the title a copyright infringement case.
After being pulled from bookshelves that year, the book was re-published in 1997 under the new title ‘Flea Circus Summer’, with a new cover art variation, and with all Sea-Monkey references having been changed to ‘Underwater Fleas’ (Daphnia).
Have a fun and safe summer, everyone!
