Olaf Falafel, Blobfish, Walker Books Australia, May 2022, 32 pp., RRP $27.99 (hbk) 9781406397659
Blobfish lives in the ocean and loves telling jokes.
Sadly, he has no friends to share his jokes with, and so begins his adventure.
Will Blobfish find real friendship at the bottom of the ocean?
Comedian Olaf Falafel tackles some big issues in 32 pages – littering and water pollution, loneliness, and friendship. By and large this tongue in cheek tale takes a light-hearted look at a serious environmental issue and does a great job for its intended audience. Weaving in themes of belonging and friendship against such an immense topic is a tricky feat, but there is enough charm and character to carry it through to its fairy tale conclusion, with some valuable learning along the way.
Combining Blobfish’s journey with the illustrations of the damage plastics can do in the ocean is a powerful example, weaving together imaginative text and informational graphics for younger readers.
The illustrations are colourful and bright, and the cover leaves no question as to the quirkiness that lies within. Preschool and kindergarten readers will delight in the funny antics of Blobfish and will connect with his earnest desire for a friend.
Teachers in Year K – 4 will find many ways to cover the themes in the story through activities in the online classroom ideas.
Blobfish, ironically, deemed as the ugliest fish in the ocean, turns out to be quite the beauty, and is worth getting your fins on.
Reviewed by Shelley Stephens
