Sonata for Fish and Boy

April 1, 2021

K-Gr 2-Music has the power to transform life into a vibrant and magical wonderland. A young boy plays his violin on a bench beside a canal, his tune reaching the ears of a fish swimming nearby. When the boy lies down to take a rest, the fish launches itself out of the water, inviting the boy to join him in a whimsical dreamscape. Together, the unlikely pair soars through the air, exploring the far reaches of the universe. Time seems to have no bounds, and their friendship lasts long after their adventure ends. Watercolor and pencil illustrations are the focal points of this wordless picture book. Muted colors give way to richly pigmented hues as the story shifts from reality to reverie, coming full circle by the end. The boy has light skin and lives in a community that includes people presenting many different skin tones. As the title suggests, the progression of this story feels as though it could be depicting a true musical score, encompassing joy and exploration in a beautiful arc. Musical notes appear on nearly every page, emphasizing the sounds emanating from instruments all along the journey. Colorful endpapers set the tone for this visual adventure, juxtaposing the soft lines within the book while emphasizing the many colors seen throughout the story. VERDICT This enjoyable, wordless story is a delightfully accessible tale for readers of all ages.-Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver P.L.

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2021
The titular boy and fish guide readers and nonreaders alike through a dreamy, textless journey. Pavlovic's watercolor illustrations begin with soft purples and blues, depicting a cheerful fish drawn to the surface of a river by music--it's the sound of a violin, played by a boy sitting by the water. Exhausted by his practicing, the boy falls asleep, awakening swimming through the air with his new scaly friend through an increasingly saturated dreamscape. The nameless boy and his companion retain their watery hues while floating past musicians and dancers, up to the stars and back again, until landing, Wizard of Oz-style, gently back in their original palette. The violin, abandoned by the riverside, is picked up by an elderly man--possibly the original boy--whereupon he meets and embraces a friendly fish. Emotive, expertly rendered watercolors inspire quiet contemplation and will be welcoming for all ages, encouraging appreciation for the many ways different art forms can transport a viewer or listener. The main figure, though described as a boy in the title, appears almost genderless and is pale and light-haired. Other humans are depicted with a wide range of ages and gender presentations and a variety of realistic and fantastical skin colors and hair textures. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16-inch double-page spreads viewed at 65% of actual size.) A loving ode to art forms that transcends language. (Picture book. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.