Little White Fish under the ocean by Guido Van Genechten

cover image

Catch a Star, 2020. ISBN: 9781922326102.
(Age: 2-5) Recommended. Little Fish is curious. 'How deep is the ocean?' he asks the jellyfish, who tell him to stay away as it is too dangerous to go down to the depths of the sea. But he really wants to know and even though Little Goldfish tells him to be careful, he continues his journey through the really dark water. Despite more warnings from the Turtle and Octopus his curiosity gets the better of him and he swims on past the coral and seaweed to where the water is pitch black and ice cold. Fortunately, he gets help from the anglerfish who turns on her little lamp and guides him back to his friends. He is glad to be home!
Set against a black background the vivid sea life and bodies of the fish stand out beautifully and will intrigue young readers as they get to name much of the underwater life. Each little bit of marine life has a smiling face and happy eyes and it is fun to follow little White Fish's quest to discover how deep the ocean is. Little White Fish is very curious and is prepared to take risks to uncover what it is like deep down in the sea, but he has good friends who counsel him about the dangers and one fish who helps him home.
A message of needing to have good friends, the joy of taking risks and the happiness of coming home are ones that children will enjoy.
Pat Pledger

booktopia