Fish Are Friends by Jules Howard and Gosia Herba
I loved Fish Are Friends. It is lively, funny and packed with the sort of facts that curious children will want to share with whoever happens to be sitting beside them.
Jules Howard moves beyond simply naming different species and looks at what fish actually do. Some control insect populations, others help keep food chains in balance, while many play an important part in the health of oceans, rivers and reefs.
The information is presented with plenty of humour, making the book easy to enjoy without losing its educational value. There are odd behaviours, surprising details and memorable facts throughout, giving young readers plenty of reasons to stop, ask questions and look more closely.
Gosia Herba’s illustrations add another layer. The pages are colourful, busy and full of personality, with so much happening that children are likely to notice something new each time they return to the book.
This is particularly good for an inquisitive child who enjoys wildlife, the ocean or collecting unusual facts. It also works well as a book to read with a parent, grandparent or caregiver, as almost every spread creates an opportunity for discussion.
At 80 pages, it is more substantial than a standard picture book, but children do not need to read it from beginning to end in one sitting. It is the sort of book they can dip into, revisit and keep discovering.
Fish Are Friends would be an excellent addition to school and public libraries. It could support classroom learning, inspire projects and encourage children to think more carefully about an often-overlooked part of the natural world.
Funny, engaging and genuinely informative, this is a book that respects a child’s curiosity and gives it plenty to work with.
