Fish Fish Fish

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Here preschoolers and early readers meet underwater denizens at their most exuberant and frolicsome. In her first book, Willgoss's ebullient torn paper collages illuminate the bold stripes, exotic spots and intriguing shapes inhabiting rivers, lakes, streams and seas. While adults and younger aquarium aficionados will recognize blowfish, skates, sharks and more in the illustrations, Adams's elementary, sometimes rhythmic text appropriately refrains from naming species--focusing instead on generic aspects of color, shape, gills, fins and scales. In addition to teaching color words and recognition of attributes, the book effectively introduces opposite qualities (``fierce'' and ``gentle,'' ``bold'' and ``shy,'' ``alone'' and ``together'') in ways preschoolers will grasp and remember. Ages 3-7. (Mar.)

School Library Journal

PreS-- A straightfoward text introduces fish in broad, general terms. Adams mentions both salt and freshwater varieties, but no specific species are identified, although some, such as sharks and angelfish, will be obvious to adults. The text mainly provides captions for the torn-paper collage illustrations. The art and design are effective; the rough edges convey an undulating effect--much like water--and the simple fish, seaweed, and rock shapes set against the deep blue and green backgrounds are striking. Preschoolers and perhaps primary-level art classes will appreciate this one. --Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library

Janice Del Negro

Using torn-paper collages reminiscent of Leo Lionni's, Willgoss boldy illustrates Adams' brief, rhythmic text, which describes the colors, shapes, and behaviors of various saltwater and freshwater fish in simple but eloquent language: "Look in the oceans, look in the seas. What will you find? Fish, fish, fish! Look in rivers and lakes and streams. What will you find? Fish, fish, fish!" Willgoss relies heavily on primary colors, using shades of blue and green in the background. A helpful title for introducing natural science to the very young, with a format that will work as well in large groups as it will one-on-one.