The Little Red Fish by Taeeun Yoo.

There is something about books where the bottom falls away and you are left holding a book that has pulled you out of reality and into a whole new world.  This picture book does that, even better it does it with a library!

JeJe’s grandfather is a librarian and they head to the old library together.  This is the first time that JeJe has been allowed inside, and he marvels at the rooms filled with books.  JeJe has brought his red fish along with him in its bowl.  Eventually, JeJe falls asleep, when he awakens his fish is gone!  He searches for it and finds its tail sticking out of a book.  Then, as the text in the book says, “something magical happened.”

The sepia tones of the art speak to the history, quiet and dimness of the old library.  The fish offers one touch of red color throughout the book, allowing children to follow him to the magical book, which is also red. 

Part of the reason I love this little book is that it is unapologetically different.  From the art to the message, it has a sweet strangeness to it that is wonderful to read.  It is free from garish color, lacks any pop-eyed cartoon creatures, and speaks to something that is old-fashioned and forgotten.  What a lovely door into a world of imagination!

Recommended for reading at bedtime.  This one won’t stand up to a wild story time, though it would be fascinating to see if the book’s quiet sense of wonder would evoke the same reaction in a group of children.  I’ve seen it happen with other books!