Oh, man. This is one of those times when you pick up a book, see the author, see the cover illustration, and you just know...you just know...it's going to be a good one.
Open to the first page and the deal is sealed. Left page holds a delightfully friendly looking pink fish. Right page holds a pebble on a stump of some kind. "Fish was looking at his pebble collection," is the text.
Let me remind you that there is only one pebble there - but for fish, it is his collection. Totally catches you off guard - totally unexpected and so delightfully innocent that it just tickles you in your most ticklish spot.
Sergio Ruzzier obviously respects the ability of children to go beyond what we think of as what they know and understand about the world. All through this book his respect just beams.
Back to the story, Fish decides to enlarge his collection of pebbles and swims off. He goes here and he goes there and alas, no pebbles. Until, he proudly and with great satisfaction, finds a second pebble.
Part two of our story begins here.
Prepare to enjoy. Prepare to be so glad you opened this one.
Recommended: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
Also in this series: Fish and Wave; Fish and Worm
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Let’s read comics! I Can Read Comics is an early reader line that familiarizes children with the world of graphic novel storytelling and encourages visual literacy in emerging readers.
Fish loves his pebble collection, but he wishes for more so he goes on a journey to find some. What he doesn’t expect is to make a new friend along the way!
Fish and Clam is a Level One I Can Read Comic, perfect for shared reading with young readers new to graphic novel storytelling.---from the publisher
48 pages 978-0063290372 Ages 4-8
Keywords: graphic novel, independent reader, fish, humor, fun, friendship, dealing with feelings, marine life, part of a series, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old
A Geisel Honor
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
Junior Library Guild Selections
Five starred reviews (from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and The Horn Book)
