Publisher's Hardcover ©2023 | -- |
Crabs. Juvenile fiction.
Fishes. Juvenile fiction.
Worry. Juvenile fiction.
Best friends. Juvenile fiction.
Humorous stories.
Crabs. Fiction.
Fishes. Fiction.
Bedtime. Fiction.
Worry. Fiction.
Best friends. Fiction.
Friendship. Fiction.
Humorous stories.
As the inhabitants of a peaceful home aquarium turn in for the night, Fish and Crab climb into their beds. Ready for some shut-eye, Crab clicks off the lamp, casting the room's cheerful colors into grays, and falls right to sleep. Fish, on the other hand, still has their eyes wide open, anxious thoughts racing through their mind. "Crab?' Fish ventures, Are you sleeping?'" They keep asking until Crab finally gets up to let Fish vent their worries. A hilarious flood of what-ifs touching on alien abduction, raining frogs, black holes, and more ensues before Fish finally falls asleep. Unfortunately, a few of Fish's concerns get under Crab's shell, this time leaving the crustacean wide-eyed as the lights go out. Coppo's comedic take on runaway worries will put anxious children at ease with its simple yet expressive artwork, absurdity, and relatability. Those who connect with Elephant and Piggie books will find this a similar reading experience whose lessons on friendship, listening, and managing emotions go down swimmingly.
Kirkus ReviewsFish's fretting keeps roommate Crab up at night.Crab and Fish live together in their cozy aquarium home. Crab is happy to sleep, turning off the light (resulting in a desaturated overlay) only for Fish, unable to sleep because of worries, to pipe up. Fish's concerns range from the relatable (strange noises, unexpected animals, and contagious illness) to the outlandish (alien abduction, oversleeping into the future, and winding up in a parallel universe); the book even takes a dip into metafiction with the characters staring at readers as Fish asks, "WHAT IF WE ARE CHARACTERS IN A BOOK?" Finally, having voiced their anxieties, Fish relaxes and falls asleep, though these worries now keep Crab awake. This tale is told through minimalistic text, primarily dialogue. Things said by anyone other than the titular characters (including the narrator) are in italics, things said by Fish are in a regular font, and words spoken by Crab are in bold. While the story, especially the twist at the end, isn't terribly unexpected, the predictability that will inhibit rereadability for some will reassure others. The art is lineless, with colorful (excepting the lights-off pages) shapes, as simple as the clean, sans-serif font, resulting in a cohesive feel (though some stark-white backgrounds undermine the nighttime premise). (This book was reviewed digitally.) Silly what-if questions arranged into a light but visually appealing bedtime story. (Picture book. 4-7)
ALA Booklist (Tue Feb 28 00:00:00 CST 2023)
Kirkus Reviews
A humorous and clever picture book about the importance of sharing big feelings with someone you trust.
Fish and Crab are best friends, always there for each other. When it's time for bed, Crab is ready to go to sleep, but Fish is still wide awake, wondering: What is that noise—that ooh, ooh? What if aliens abduct us as we sleep? What if it rains frogs? What if . . . so many things?!
From Marianna Coppo, the critically acclaimed author of Petra, Such a Good Boy, and A Brave Cat, comes an unforgettable picture book about the friendship between two very different aquarium inhabitants. At once relatable and reassuring, Fish and Crab shows the youngest of readers that it is okay to embrace the full spectrum of our feelings—not just at bedtime, but anytime. And that even the biggest worries and "what ifs" are easier to cope with—and move on from—when someone you love and trust is there to listen.
DIVE INTO AQUARIUM LIFE AND BIG FEELINGS: So many fascinating creatures live underwater, just like Fish and Crab. But these creatures may be more like kids than anyone imagined: Fish is worried about a few things, and it's only when he opens up to his best friend, Crab, that he feels so much better. This reassuring picture book affirms the power of friendship and communication, all while presenting a humorous view of aquarium life.
A REASSURING BEDTIME BOOK: Many kids grapple with fear and anxiety, especially when it comes to bedtime. This helpful picture book assures young readers that it’s okay to share uncomfortable feelings and to reach out to a loved one for support.
HILARIOUS READ-ALOUD: Kids will delight in the fast-paced, humorous dialogue between Fish and Crab. Expect requests to read this book again and again (and again)!
MUST-HAVE GIFT: From the stand-out cover to the colorful illustrations to the relatable (and enduring) themes, this meaningful book for kids is an exceptional gift for any occasion.
Perfect for:
- Kids who are learning to process fear and big feelings
- A humorous bedtime or story time book
- Parents, teachers, and educators looking for books about feelings and friendship
- Parents, grandparents, and caregivers of kids who love animals or have an aquarium pet
- Gift for birthday, holiday, summer reading, or any occasion that calls for a beautifully illustrated picture book
- Fans of Elephant & Piggie, Mercy Watson, and Inside Out