Something's Fishy

by Jean Gourounas

This ice fishing mystery features a grumpy penguin, a troupe of curious onlookers, and a surprise ending! An ice fishing penguin grows increasingly aggravated as his line fails to attract fish, but his activity attracts a cast of curiously chatty polar characters. Hilariously expressive animals and their repetitive questions dramatically accumulate until finally, in the climactic finale, the penguin hears something under the water, and everyone silences for the big reveal. A fast-paced and entertaining read-aloud that provides ample opportunity for character voices and multiple punchlines. Children will wager predictions throughout, and crack up at the clever and comical ending! Ages 3-5

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Humor, Childrens, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 16, 2017

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! There aren't a lot of words and there are so many great characters. I found this very funny! Facial expressions are everything.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another humorous and slightly quirky picture book by French graphic designer Jean Gourounas but with a mix of Arctic and Antarctic themes. The tension and excitement builds as a variety of animals quiz a little penguin as she stands at an ice hole with her fishing pole. Readers are exposed to a variety of Arctic animals - hare, walrus, seal, musk ox, polar bear and human who ask variations of the question, “Are the fish biting?”. Meanwhile the penguin keeps fishing, not changing her expression. The animals are in turn, confused, baffled, perplexed and flummoxed!. Illustrated in a minimalist fashion in a palette of white, blue and shades of brown the simplistic expressions on the animal’s faces will delight readers. The ending is highly anticipated and a lovely surprise.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penguin is fishing, but the fish aren't biting. Much to her annoyance, a parade of arctic animals as well as an indigenous person stare over her shoulder and comment about her lack of success. The situation climaxes with the revelation that Peguin baited her hook with cake, and who wouldn't want to take a bite of cake?! Then the point of view suddenly cuts to below the ice where the fish reveal surprise of their own.

The text is simple, and the illustrations are clean, bold, and stylized. This would be a good book to share with a child who can't resist backseat driving or commenting from the peanut gallery since it's obvious to the reader that all the commentary from non-participants is only getting on her nerves and does nothing to help the situation.

[Kat Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cue the cuteness. SOMETHING'S FISHY is the first book in English from French author-illustrator Jean Gourounas and aren't we so lucky! Immediately, one is drawn to its simplistic charm and the textured feel of the pages. The plot is relatively straightforward--a penguin is fishing and fellow animals want to see what she is doing (though it's pretty obvious, which is part of the fun). What Gourounas succeeds at here is the deadpan delivery of the dialogue + the sweet, below-the-surface twist at the end. I can see this book being requested at bedtime again and again, accompanied by some LOLs from readers young and old.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snow Rabbit is the first one to come across Penguin who is obviously fishing, but still asks him "what are you doing?" To which Penguin replies "Shhh." Several other animals show up to ask the same silly question and to have the other animals make assumptions about whether the fish are biting or not. Finally someone asks Penguin what he's using for bait. Penguin responds with "cake."

Finally readers are able to see under the water to see what is happening to Penguin's fishing line. Yes, he does indeed have cake on his fishing line. There is a school of fish wising one fish a happy birthday.

Hilarious and will be a popular storytime favorite.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gourounas, Jean Something’s Fishy. PICTURE BOOK. Phaidon, 2017. $17. 9780714875316

Penguin is trying to fish in peace, but more and more Artic dwellers come to watch and add in their two cents. Everyone is mystified as to why the fish aren’t buying, until their hear a voice from below.

OH MY! This is the author/illustrator’s first book in English and I NEED to find some of his French picture books, because I am in LOVE with these illustrations!

Pre-K – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Spike's Place · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preschoolers will love the repetition in this story. They will anticipate it before it is even asked. The surprise twist at the end will have them laughing. And the adults reading to young audiences will love the tongue-in-cheek humor of the incessant chattering while trying to catch fish!
Click here to place a hold on this book in the library catalog.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give this to families who love Steve Antony's Mr. Panda books. Penguin is fishing, but nothing is biting. With the same dour, terse demeanor as Mr. Panda, Penguin endures the endless chatter of the other animals who come to investigate.

The fish aren't biting for a good reason! The unexpected explanation below the water line is a ticklishly funny inversion of the story building above it.

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did like the penguin's stoic look as he gets surrounded by uninvited guests.

Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this short book to my 5 year old and immediately thought of Curious George! I had to read the (much longer) picture book, "Curious George Flies a Kite" as well. After all, how many characters use the same bait when they go fishing?! I feel like Rey's story must have inspired Gourounas here...

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very funny story! Loved the illustrations! I was anticipating a completely different ending to this tale! Lol! Too, too funny! But I just know some special child is going to enjoy this story!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that the penguin, let's call her Side-Eye Sally, has such an "I don't give a shit" attitude with everyone who crosses her path. My introvert self screamed with delight at this character's persona. 5 stars! So misunderstood. So annoyed. I can relate.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are first rate in this frozen world of ice fishing and nosy arctic friends.

Short simple sentences with opportunities for expanding the readers/listeners vocabulary. A fun ending!

[Joan Arbogast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tongue-in-cheek humor to anyone who goes fishing.

Side note: Upon feeling the texture of the pages of this book, I knew it was a publisher that appreciates quality paper for book-making and art. Then I looked for the publisher and found it was Phaidon. No surprise there.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

One penguin is fishing and more animals come to see how goes it. It's fishy. It's funny. The surprise bait at the end of the book is cute.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Theme Ideas: Fishing, Winter, Birthdays

[Connie T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little penguin is ice fishing and getting grumpy as other animals begin to gather and question her activities. Everything is set up to lure the reader into thinking the fish aren't biting because of the noise and commotion. Using cake as bait? Surely they're mistaken. A fun, hilarious ending.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm convinced there is a whole new genre of picture books really intended for adults. This is one of them.

I mean, what was that ending? Whatever, still hilarious.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

that was hilarious

[Jessi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is the "something fishy" the fact that there's a penguin hanging out in the Arctic? Because I would find that extremely suspicious. You don't belong here, penguin.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the winter friends gather around to try to figure out why the fish aren't biting.

[Anna Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I may have laughed at this more than I should have.

[Maureen Agnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me giggle outloud.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids and letters will crack up at the end of this book that begs to be read aloud.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable illustrations, and an unexpected, hilarious ending.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great vocabulary!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penguin is fishing, but not catching anything. Everyone around Penguin is asking why he isn't catching anything. Very, very cute. Sparse on the words, but big on the concept.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny little cumulative book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha. Very cute!

[Casandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A penguin is ice fishing but something doesn't add up, at least not to all the other animals who come pester her...