The Story of Fish and Snail

April 22, 2013
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.

Starred review from May 1, 2013
Right from the title page, Freedman's latest makes a splash. Atop a black-and-white stack of closed books sits one open book with blue pages fluttering like waves. A yellow fishtail disappears into the page, splashing water into the air above the books. This book happens to be a watery world (fish tank?) where, every day, Snail waits for Fish "to come home with a story." Fish offers one with "a whole ocean, and a secret treasure, and a pirate ship"--but rather than telling it, "I want to show you this time, Snail!" Nope--Snail won't go. They fight; Fish departs. Highlighted against the closed books and unobtrusive, black-and-white bookshelves in the background, Fish and Snail's watercolor world looks clear and fine. But with Fish gone, "[h]ow can this be The Story of Fish & Snail?" Snail peers downward over the edge of the towering pile of books, where Fish has disappeared with a quiet "plimp." Fish's body, far below, appears murkily underwater inside the daunting new book. "F-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-S-H!" cries Snail, launching bravely into the air. Water splashes the whole height of the pile as Snail plunges into the new book. Fish peeps around a page's corner, ready for reconciliation and adventure. Texture, scale and angle accentuate the exciting difference between the in-book worlds and the pale library background. This marvelous metabook shines in both concept and beauty. (Picture book. 3-7)

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June 1, 2013

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

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