Something Fishy

by Barry Louis Polisar, David Clark (Illustrator)

This collaboration between Barry Louis Polisar and illustrator David Clark is a long awaited sequel to Barry’s three earlier collections of poems, Peculiar Zoo, Curious Creatures and Insect Soup. This time the poems are about creatures that live in–or by–the water and many of the poems work on multiple levels. Polisar writes about everything from the Pot Bellied Sea Horse to the Sweetlips Fish; the poems are smart and fun. The book ends with a delightful homage to one of Gerard Manley Hopkins poems and the artwork by David Clark is done in vivid colors that seem to jump right off the page. Through The Looking Glass Children’s Book Review said these “well-crafted poems and illustrations make this book a must” and Pen Pals & Picture Books wrote “the poems are clever and delightful, the illustrations are expressive and hilarious.”

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fishy book filled with short poem like entries about fish that are funny and an afterward with nonfiction favts about fish. Preschool and up

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book my grandson, Jakey, really enjoyed.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique and fun approach to verse and rhyme, these witty and lively poems will have you smiling and learning about many special sea creatures such as the crab, puffer fish and killer whale. If you know the way of a jellyfish, children will enjoy silly descriptions like yuck and gelatinous muck. The author is exceptionally creative with the poem, The Smallest Fish along with a myriad of exciting illustrations that adults will enjoy, too. Don't be surprised when you hear your Dad chuckle aloud while reading the Pot-Bellied Seahorse. Baited is another nice poem woven with a hint of wisdom in letting go. The book ends with a wonderful explosion of symphonic praise for all sea life with educational end notes in the back of the book. This is a delightful book that one will enjoy reading again and again.

5/5 stars. Highly recommend.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every picture would be a cartoon worth framing: a dancing octopus in top hat and tails, a crabby crab, a couch potato seahorse, and fishing through the eyes of the worm. Oh yeah, there are funny poems too, but man, those pictures!

[ANg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really wonderfulo book, all about sea creatures. Somewhat a little disjointed in the poetry but anyone who wants their children to learn about sea creatures this is a great little book, the art is vibrant and eyecatching.

[Melanie Swider Wenz · Rating 3 out of 5]

possible mentor text for writing informational poems

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poems are really well done.

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some pretty funny rhymes and pictures. Also facts about sea animals in the back of the book.