The Story of Fish & Snail

Freedman (Blue Chicken) continues to explore the idea of books as worlds unto themselves, playing with representing three-dimensional objects on two-dimensional pages. The timid snail of the title waits in a goldfish bowl that, readers will quickly see, is actually a spread in a picture book. Snail's friend Fish returns from his daily outing with an invitation: "Ahoy, Snail! Guess what? I found a new book!" Snail's not interested: "I don't want to go into other books," he says. "I like this book." Despite the offer of a secret treasure and a pirate ship, Snail won't budge, and the two part ways angrily: "Fine, Snail. Good-bye. The end." Snail crawls to the edge of his book to see the new book far below, opened to a watery page. "Fish?" he calls uncertainly--and then boldly leaps himself, in a moment of uncharacteristic bravery. The theme of books as doorways into rich new adventures couldn't be more vividly conveyed, and the resolution of the conflict between two sweet friends provides encouragement for other "snails" to try new things. Ages 3-5. (June)

Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

K-Gr 2--Fish and Snail live in a book. Fish ventures forth to other books daily and brings back stories. When Fish urges a reluctant Snail to come out and experience the adventures firsthand, they have a fight that threatens their friendship, but bravery and fun ultimately prevail. The story is told almost entirely in dialogue, emphasizing emotions. The illustrations, though gently rounded and softly colored, are highly expressive and full of cinematic angles. Especially effective is the page by page "zooming in" as the conflict between Fish and Snail builds. The imaginative power of books is implied, but the concept of self-aware characters that visit other books might be too abstract to be appreciated by some children. This is an odd, sweet little story, appropriate for large collections or where friendship stories are in high demand. Refreshingly, readers never learn the gender of either character, and the book will be especially useful where non-gendered stories are desired.--Heidi Estrin, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Praise for Deborah's first book, BLUE CHICKEN

"Breathtakingly beautiful meta-illustrations will draw many eyes to this tale of a curious chicken who spills some paint... Delicate and durable, visually sophisticated yet friendly: simply exquisite." —Kirkus, starred review

"Full of surprise and emotion... The book has much to pore over on every page, and children will want to experience the action over and over again." —School Library Journal, starred review

"The spare, poetic text allows the images to shine... this delightful treat emphasizes the joy of breaking free of conventional boundaries and turning accidents into art." —Booklist, starred review

"While the artist is away, the chickens will indeed play, and Deborah Freedman has captured their antics in this book overflowing with joyful fun." —BookPage

..". all will appreciate the sheer joy of a book that celebrates color and innocent mischief." —Horn Book Magazine

Praise for THE STORY OF FISH AND SNAIL

"This marvelous metabook shines in both concept and beauty."—Kirkus, starred review

"The theme of books as doorways into rich new adventures couldn't be more vividly conveyed, and the resolution of the conflict between two sweet friends provides encouragement for other 'snails' to try new things." —Publishers Weekly

..".[a] sweet little story..." —School Library Journal

"Freedman's paintings, brimming with raucous, three-dimensional splashes of color, bring to mind David Wiesner's Art & Max." —New York Times Book Review