Fish Don’t Go to School

PreS-K–Henry is proud of his fabulous fish costume that he puts on every day. He wears it shopping, playing, and even when he takes his goldfish, Marigold, for a ride in the wagon. Henry is most comfortable when he wears his shiny suit since it is sparkly on the outside and warm and cozy on the inside. “It felt like wearing a hug.” Henry’s mother tries to explain why it would be better for the boy to wear regular clothes on his first day of school instead of his costume, but Henry is not persuaded. Upon arriving at school, Henry finds that his classmates are unsure about his unusual garb, but they gradually come to accept it, and he even receives compliments. As the day progresses, he realizes that parts of his fish suit are a hindrance, so the fins, the tail, and the head are gradually removed. When the school day is over, Henry’s classmates plan their outfits for the second day of school. Cheerful illustrations were created with gouache, wax pastels, and a bit of digital painting.