Devin Scillian

Our smartmouthed goldfish friend starts out alone in his bowl, where he swims around it--twice. But apparently eager pet owners are adding item after item to it, until he's crowded out. Finally rescued into a separate bowl, he feels relieved, but then worries about his former bowl mates (props for the 'they need me to make guppy bottles and change guppy diapers' line). Fortunately, they are all reunited in a much bigger aquarium, with an additional surprise.
Author Scillian captures a child's-- or anybody's-- frustration of being crowded in with a lot of others (and their stuff) as well as the counterbalancing feeling of being part of a family or group with funny dialog, accompanied by Tim Bowers' humorous illustrations. Even my 12 year old smiled and sniggered.… (more)