Review by Booklist Review
Eddy the fish lives alone in his glass bowl and longs for a friend. One day, a yellow fish appears, and it brings a buddy. Together, they play hide-and-seek and tag and they dance and laugh until Eddy's glass bowl fills with bubbles from all the giggling. But when Eddy finally decides to leap out of his bowl to join the friends, he realizes that the two yellow fish are actually the eyes of a cat! This story is a very clever example of how minimalist storytelling can be wonderfully supported and enhanced with skillful artwork. The images, a richly textured combination of watercolor and digital collage, are absolutely eye-catching and will lend themselves to enthusiastic vocal participation from children. Told in a world of midnight blues and black with mere splashes of bright color, this is a Hitchcockian suspense tale for preschoolers, and young readers will relish the buildup, the reveal, and the high-tension ending with its satisfying and gentle release.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
Eddy the fish lives by himself in a little glass bowl. He wants a friend. "Someone who could swim and blow bubbles. Someone like him. Eddy peered out, wondering if such a friend would pass by." Meanwhile, a pair of black, feline-shaped ears in the frame indicates that he is less alone than he realizes. This tension builds through digitally collaged watercolor illustrations and smart page design, but the text uses our protagonist's limited, naive perspective to tell the story. Bright-orange Eddy pops on the rich cerulean background, while the black cat recedes into it with the exception of the two yellow eyes that are about the shape and size of the fish himself. He first mistakes one eye for a potential fishy playmate and then the second eye for another. "It was the little yellow fish again, and this time he had brought along a friend!" Eddy and his two new "friends" have a terrific time dancing and playing hide-and-seek, until Eddy propels himself right out of the protective glass bowl and onto the table in an effort to join them. It is in that precarious position that he finally sees the bigger picture (including many sharp teeth) that likely will have been troubling readers all along. Mercifully this dramatic, visually appealing friendship tale takes a surprise final turn, avoiding the anticipated grim conclusion. New friends are sometimes not who we imagine them to be; they can even be better. Julie RoachMarch/April 2024 p.65 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A lonely goldfish wants a friend, but there are complications. One day Eddy hears tapping on his bowl and spots something bright yellow--another goldfish? He asks it if it wants to play, and it nods, and a game of tag begins. The next day, two yellow fish are ready to join the fun. More than anything, Eddy wants to be outside his bowl with his friends. He gathers his courage, swims in ever faster circles, and launches himself out of his bowl. After a moment of joy, he lands with a thud, unable to breathe, swim, or blow bubbles. Will his new friends rescue him from disaster? This is the tale set forth in the text, but the visuals tell a deeper, more subtle story that depends on readers' sharp eyes and understanding. The simple setting depicts a table and a bowl against a shining blue background, but children will notice that beyond Eddy's bowl is a black shape that appears to be the top of a cat's head, soon followed by the cat's face. Those "fish" are actually the black cat's bright yellow eyes. Will that mean doom for Eddy, or will his sweet innocence and joy in his friendship lead to a hoped-for happy conclusion? This clever and inspired story will hold readers' attention and have little ones begging for rereads. A tender tale of an unusual friendship, with just a touch of mystery. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
