Professor Bumble and the Monster of the Deep by Daniel Napp.

Every Monday Professor Bumble headed to the lake to go swimming with his friend Beluga, a goldfish.  But one day, a grumpy Otter is already at the lake fishing and tells them that they can’t swim because they will scare away the fish.  When they insist on swimming anyway, the Otter tells them that they will be attacked by the Monster of the Deep!  Thinking of their safety, Professor Bumble stays on shore to watch for the monster while Beluga swims.  But when Beluga sinks below the surface, Bumble must rescue him despite the danger.

This book is pure fun.  Readers will recognize what is about to happen, but it is all the more delightful for that.  There are so many really nice touches throughout the book.  One of my favorites is that Beluga swims in the lake IN his bowl.  This book reads so well aloud, it will be perfect for ending a day at school, but I wouldn’t use it to quite down a class.  It’s just too much silly fun for that.

Recommended as a read aloud for preschoolers through second graders.