And those whose wish has included a visit to the pet shop, will undoubtedly have wanted theirs to be the cutest, cuddliest critter that they’ve ever slapped eyes on.
And so … what actually happens when the pet you get, is a fish?
If it’s
wet, it isn’t a pet!
You can
play with a puppy and snuggle a bunny,
but as much
as you wish, you can’t pat a fish.
Internationally celebrated and award-winning creator Ruth Paul, speaks to the pet-love in every child (and adult) through this glorious picture book.
Told in
joyous rhyme that fairly leaps off the page, You Can’t Pat A Fish will
leave readers surprised and smiling.
In this
playful twist on pet ownership and expectation, we see a rather delightful
child move through all the emotional feels. From sadness, frustration,
rejection, annoyance and resistance through to just a tiny touch of curiosity,
and then BOOM!, on to joy and delight.
You see, this book causes the world to slip on its axis, and our readerly consciousness to expand exponentially, as we travel through the joys and pleasures of fish ownership.
This fresh, funny and playful rhyming text has all the wonderful things that we love in picture books.
It will be
chosen off the shelf time and again – this is a perfect read-aloud book for
shared storytime, for sit-alone enjoyment, and for snuggling up to read to the
dog.
Or cat.
Or fish.
Sheer delight.
Title: You Can’t Pat A Fish
Author/Illustrator: Ruth Paul
Publisher: Walker Books, $25.99
Publication Date: 5 March 2025
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760656973
For Ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book
