TRANSITIONAL

I Am a Big Fish! Ready-to-Read Level 1

by Susie Lee Jin (text) & illus. by Susie Lee Jin
S. & S./Simon Spotlight. (Ready-to-Read). Jan. 2026. 32p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781665983402. PreS-Gr 1
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PreS-Gr 1–A small yellow fish proudly declares, “I am a big fish!”—until a shrimp swims by and claims to be bigger. Soon, an octopus joins the boasting, each sea creature eager to outdo the others. But when a hungry shark appears looking for a “big fish” to eat, the tiny protagonist’s confidence takes an unexpected turn. With a quick puff, the little fish transforms into a large, spiky puffer fish, surprising everyone. Told entirely through speech bubbles, the text relies on snappy dialogue and playful ocean puns to carry the story. The bold, simply rendered illustrations use bright colors and plenty of open space, making this a natural pick for storytime. Themes of relative size, confidence, and not judging by appearances are conveyed with humor and heart.
VERDICT A humorous and engaging read-aloud with wide appeal; a strong choice for storytime and preschool collections.
Reviewed by Kirsten Caldwell , Dec 01, 2025

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