I Am a Big Fish!
(Ready-To-Read: Level One)

PreS-Gr 1--A small yellow fish proudly declares, "I am a big fish!"--until a shrimp swims by and claims to be bigger. Soon, an octopus joins the boasting, each sea creature eager to outdo the others. But when a hungry shark appears looking for a "big fish" to eat, the tiny protagonist's confidence takes an unexpected turn. With a quick puff, the little fish transforms into a large, spiky puffer fish, surprising everyone. Told entirely through speech bubbles, the text relies on snappy dialogue and playful ocean puns to carry the story. The bold, simply rendered illustrations use bright colors and plenty of open space, making this a natural pick for storytime. Themes of relative size, confidence, and not judging by appearances are conveyed with humor and heart. VERDICT A humorous and engaging read-aloud with wide appeal; a strong choice for storytime and preschool collections.--Kirsten Caldwell

Copyright 2025 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Newly independent readers will dive into a silly ocean tale positively swimming with puns. . . . Much like with Elephant & Piggie, simple cartoon illustrations fill the book's pages and the text is restricted to speech bubbles. . . [Readers'] attention will be captured by the story's humor, wordplay, and fast-moving plot. A fin-tastic addition to beginning reader collections."

"Excellent early reader. . . Terrific use of composition and layout [and] a supremely satisfying twist. . . A wholly gratifying tale of a small fish in a huge pond that nevertheless proves its mettle."