Fish and Sun

by Sergio Ruzzier, Sergio Ruzzier (Illustrator)

Overview

Introducing I Can Read Comics, a new early reader line that familiarizes children with the world of graphic novel storytelling and encourages visual literacy in emerging readers.

One day, a bored little fish journeys up to the surface of the ocean, where it meets the sun. A wonderful friendship blooms… Only, right in the middle of their fun, the sun starts to set! Fish and Sun is a powerful story about newfound friendship by Sergio Ruzzier.

"Painted seascapes in rich colors warm the early reader comic's minimal text, and small details—Fish sleeps underwater with a small pillow—will draw laughter." (Publishers Weekly)

Fish and Sun is a Level One I Can Read Comic, a simple story for shared reading. 

Junior Library Guild Selection

An ALSC Graphic Novel Reading List Title

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063076631
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	06/22/2021
Series:	I Can Read Comics Level 1
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	271,271
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.70(h) x 0.10(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Sergio Ruzzier is a two-time Geisel Honor–winning picture book author and illustrator. He was born in Milan, Italy, in 1966 and began his career as an illustrator in 1986. Sergio has written and illustrated many picture books, including Fox and Chick: The Party, a 2019 Geisel Honor Book; Fish and Wave, a 2023 Geisel Honor Book; Two Mice; and more. He was a recipient of the 2011 Sendak Fellowship. His work has won many awards, including the Parents’ Choice Gold Medal for The Room of Wonders and This Is Not a Picture Book!

Sergio Ruzzier is a two-time Geisel Honor–winning picture book author and illustrator. He was born in Milan, Italy, in 1966 and began his career as an illustrator in 1986. Sergio has written and illustrated many picture books, including Fox and Chick: The Party, a 2019 Geisel Honor Book; Fish and Wave, a 2023 Geisel Honor Book; Two Mice; and more. He was a recipient of the 2011 Sendak Fellowship. His work has won many awards, including the Parents’ Choice Gold Medal for The Room of Wonders and This Is Not a Picture Book!

Editorial Reviews

★ 03/22/2021

It’s dark and cold and boring under the ocean in this early reader comic by Geisel Honoree Ruzzier (the Fox & Chick series), and Fish, a muddy pink individual with red fins, has had it: “I’m going out.” Up above the water’s surface, “it was also dark and cold and boring”—until a yellow shape with curly tentacles rises above the horizon, brightening the waters and the sky. “You are very warm,” Fish says admiringly to Sun, and the two fall into an easy rapport: Sun suggests a game of hide-and-seek, darting behind a cloud in a moment of subtle foreshadowing. But after a day of light and play, Fish sees that Sun is turning red and sinking lower in the sky. Though Fish does not understand that Sun’s setting prefaces its return, young readers will, adding compassionate context to the following panels, which portray Fish’s sorrow. Painted seascapes in rich colors warm minimal text by Ruzzier, and small details will draw laughter—Fish sleeps underwater with a small pillow. The understated plot allows new readers to focus on the well-chosen words and meaningful emotional arc, and Ruzzier’s slightly bonkers visual world-building keeps things fresh. Ages 4–8. (May)

Publishers Weekly

The understated plot allows new readers to focus on the well-chosen words and meaningful emotional arc, and Ruzzier’s slightly bonkers visual world-building keeps things fresh. — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

A captivating new duo.  — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Fish and Sun are two delightful characters who will touch readers’ hearts. The perfect story for emergent readers and developing visual learners. — School Library Journal (starred review)

Uncluttered watercolor illustrations, in Ruzzier’s always imaginative, slightly off-kilter style, reinforce the playful action; the natural language and phonetic patterns will serve readers well; and the emotional drama is just right. — Horn Book (starred review)

From the Publisher

Uncluttered watercolor illustrations, in Ruzzier’s always imaginative, slightly off-kilter style, reinforce the playful action; the natural language and phonetic patterns will serve readers well; and the emotional drama is just right.

Horn Book (starred review)

★ 07/01/2021

K-Gr 2—Bored Fish ventures to the surface of the ocean in search of light and unexpectedly meets the Sun in all its glory. Fish plays games and basks in Sun's warmth, but the good times don't last long, as Fish's new companion sets for the day, leaving Fish cold and forlorn. The next day is a bright beginning as Sun peeks through the clouds to reunite with Fish. This beginning comic reader is an ideal introduction to the sequential art format, and the guided reading series provides a short tutorial for budding comic fans. Ruzzier presents a delicately designed story of friendship full of intimacy and emotion. His textured watercolors mirror the environment as well as the shifting moods of the lonely Fish. VERDICT Fish and Sun are two delightful characters who will touch readers' hearts. The perfect story for emergent readers and developing visual learners.—Claire Moore, Manhattan Beach Lib., CA

School Library Journal

★ 2021-04-14
Fish and Sun become fast friends in this Level 1 entry in the I Can Read! Comics series.

Fish, small and lavender-hued, is bored. It’s too dark and cold in Fish’s watery abode, so Fish tells Mom: “I’m going out.” Unfortunately, it’s “dark and cold and boring” at the surface too—that is, until Fish sees a yellow orb with long, spindly rays rise in the sky. “I’m Sun,” the friendly presence says, and a friendship is born. When Sun turns red and sets, Fish mourns the loss but happily reunites with Sun the next day after the clouds part. Young readers will identify with Fish’s extreme mood swings: ennui followed by elation followed by heartache (“I am afraid I will never see my friend Sun again”)—and joy once again when the pair reunites. Compositions are tightly focused and uncluttered; lines are simple and clean; and details delight, such as when Fish sleeps on a pillow at the bottom of the ocean and—after Sun asks, “Do you know any tricks?”—gleefully spits water. The book nearly sparkles with color: The sun-dappled palette is one of warm, eye-catching, and elegant pastel shades. The book’s dialogue is set in bold black text in clean, white speech balloons. Level 1 comics in this series promise “simple stories for shared reading,” and those adults sharing this one can expect requests for rereads. A tutorial on reading comics precedes the story.

A captivating new duo. (Graphic early reader. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews