Guido van Genechten, Little White Fish and his Daddy, Catch a Star, May 2020, 24 pp., RRP $12.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781922326034 ; Little White Fish Under the Ocean, Catch a Star, August 2020, 24pp., RRP $12.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781922326102
Colourful illustrations and simple language wonderfully combine to create two engaging stories in Little White Fish and his Daddy and Little White Fish Under the Ocean by author-illustrator Guido van Genechten.
In Little White Fish and his Daddy, Little Fish has fun with lots of his ocean friends, and learns all about how amazing dads can be. Funny, fast, clever and strong – Little Fish learns about all the wonderful ways his friends’ dads are special. But what is special his own dad? This is a heart-warming story for the smallest of admirers, celebrating dads in all their wonderful ways.
Little Fish goes exploring and embarks on another under-water adventure in Little White Fish Under the Ocean. Curious about how deep the ocean is Little Fish swims deeper and deeper until it is too dark to see. Will he be able to find his way back? This is an equally touching story about the power of friendship and relying on it when you need it most.
Guido van Genechten’s colourful Little White Fish books, part of a well-known board book series in Belgium and the Netherlands, is a fun introduction to books and reading for babies and toddlers. Reading to babies from birth has significant benefits including encouraging language development and stimulating imagination. It can also provide regular opportunities for parents to create and share special bonding moments, all while fostering a love of reading and books from the earliest of ages!
The use of high contrast illustrations and minimal text in these two board books and throughout the series makes for an easy and entertaining read to capture the attention of the most active of toddlers.
Early childhood teachers and librarians will appreciate the sense of play and adventure captured in the stories, encouraging opportunities for fun learning and craft activities.
Reviewed by Shelley Stephens
