Hide Fish Hide!: Sea Creature Camouflage

by Derick Wilder, Monika Filipina (Illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 15, 2026

About the author

Derick Wilder is the author of The Longest Letsgoboy and the founder of Reading Giraffe, a literacy initiative with the goal of creating lifelong readers by making books come alive. He has been writing for as long as he can remember, and endless hours in the children's section of the library with his daughter sparked his love for picture books. He lives in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Reviews

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Edelweiss/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.


In this adorable picture book we learn all about camouflage. From hiding to something else entirely. Why are the animals in need of camouflage? Well, because there is a big white shark lurking around looking for a fluffy soft snack to chew on. And of course no animal wants to become that snack so we meet all sorts of animals and see what they do to camouflage themselves. From pretending to be a piece of kelp (so not yummy at all) to hiding in the sands to disguises. I really was rooting for these little critters and fish to find a safe spot and not get eaten! And I loved the later pages with the pufferfish (oh heck yes) and what happens when a surprise black and white animal pops by. I loved that through story and rhyme (lots of fun rhyme) we learn about how animals camouflage/make sure they are safe!

And at the end we get even more information on how animals hide! Which I love! Thanks for adding that, I always appreciate extra information.

The illustrations were just fantastic. I loved the amount of details (so many fishes to find) and I loved the colours and how the animals were drawn.

All in all, I had quite a lot of fun with this one! I would recommend it.

Review also posted on https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific non-fiction picture book featuring a variety of ways sea creatures use camouflage to avoid being eaten by a great white shark. Full page illustrations demonstrate the effective adaptations used by octopus, puffer fish, leafy sea dragons and more Lilting rhyme and some repetition describe how each escapes and the text moves along with rhythm that almost works with every line but adults reading to children will have to work at it in a few places. Back matter further elaborating on the types of camouflage extends the age range from only preschool to grade 1 so that even grades 2 and 3 will benefit from this title. (And maybe even other adults will, like me, learn that the mimic octopus actually changes its body shape to look like a sea snake or lionfish!) Monika Filipina’s beautiful illustrations are done using gouache colored pencils and collage.

Highly recommended for libraries serving PK-grade 2.

Thanks for the eARC, Edelweiss and Sleeping Bear Press.

[Kelly Rice Schmitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a clever take on an ocean book! Delightful verse and art convey animal camouflage as they hide from a hungry shark. Kids will delight in the twist ending when they learn the shark may not always be at the top of the food chain. A fantastic read aloud great for home school or library. Back matter includes details on the featured creatures. Fintastic!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute little rhyming story and I love the illustrations. Very engaging and includes a lot of interesting facts about the different mechanisms fish use to hide and camouflage themselves from predators and attacks.