There are Fish Everywhere

There are Fish Everywhere is not just an information book on fish (wild rather than ornamental or farmed), but an artistically arranged collection of images in Britta Teckentrup's distinctive style which, although two dimensional, manage to convey depth and texture, tone and variation.

As you might expect from the title, it covers the amazing diversity within this order of creatures - from ghostly snailfish and moray eel of the deep to devil's pupfish of the desert, from whale shark to tuna and leafy sea dragon. However, it also covers the evolution of these aquatic life forms, their anatomy, habitats, feeding and parenting habits, survival techniques, and their interactions with humans, including some notes on conservation. There's also the added bonus of a few teasers to test readers' power of observation.

This is not a book which will languish on a shelf, but one which is a joy to read from cover to cover, thanks to the winning combination of art and science. It's one that will be pored over and shared, both in primary classes and at home. The only minor quibble I might have is that coral reefs are described as a phenomenon of warm, tropical waters with no mention of cold water reefs and that freshwater fish, including those UK children might be familiar with, get little mention. That said, this excellent book is still one I shall be warmly recommending.

Picture book / Reviewed by Jane Rew, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 7+