The Library Fish

It seemed like an ordinary day until Mr. Hughes the librarian found a fishbowl on the library steps. Mr. Hughes didn’t hesitate. He welcomed the fish into the children’s room, gave her a home in his world of books and stories, and named her Library Fish. 

Then one morning, when a snowstorm closes the library, the Library Fish decides today is the day she will leave her fishbowl and see the library and its stories up close—at last!

The Library Fish’s title doesn’t capture the imagination and fun that is hidden in the pages of this book. From Library Fish’s point of view, young readers are introduced to children enjoying the library. As Mr. Hughes reads to a group of diverse children, Library Fish imagines herself in the pages of books. The illustrations perfectly capture Library Fish meeting a superhero, going to a distant planet, and having other adventures. One page shows that everyone can find a book since there are books about poetry, meerkats, puppies, graphic novels, and even books in Spanish.  

While Library Fish loves it when the library is full of children, a snowstorm allows her to explore the library on her own. But first, Library Fish needs to find a way out of her fishbowl. After several failed attempts, Library Fish uses a story for inspiration and finally is able to “blast off” like a rocket ship. Readers will cheer when Library Fish can explore the library, but the best part is the magic that happens when Library Fish shares a story with a friend. 

Even though The Library Fish is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it for the first time independently. While some pages have no words, other pages have up to seven sentences. Most of the words appear in blocks of text, but when someone is speaking the text appears in quote boxes. Most of the story focuses on Library Fish, but the illustrations also showcase a diverse cast of people with different skin tones, and one child is in a wheelchair.  

The Library Fish shows readers the magic that is hidden inside books. The book’s theme highlights the importance of books and the vast range of topics that children can read about. The colorful illustrations are beautiful and full of small details that will captivate readers. If you’re looking for a book that will show readers the wonders that can be found in the library, then The Library Fish is the perfect book for you. Add another imaginative book that revolves around the library by also reading Bunny’s Book Club by Annie Silvestro.  

Sexual Content  

• None 

Violence  

• None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• None 

Language  

• None 

Supernatural 

• None 

Spiritual Content  

• None