Fish and Sun

Fish comics

by Sergio Ruzzier

One day, bored little Fish journeys up to the surface of the ocean where it meets Sun, and a wonderful friendship blooms…Only, right in the middle of their fun, Sun starts to set! Told in a graphic novel format.

Genres: Picture Books, Graphic Novels, Friendship, Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Nature

48 pages, Hardcover

First published June 22, 2021

About the author

Website and blog: http://www.ruzzier.com

Sergio Ruzzier was born in Milan, Italy, in 1966.

He began his career as an illustrator in 1986.

In 1995 he moved to New York City, where he’s been creating pictures and stories for national and international magazines and book publishers.

His work has been awarded by American Illustration, The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, and The Society of Publication Designers.
He won the Parents' Choice Gold Medal for “The Room of Wonders” and for his illustrations for “Why Mole Shouted."

He was a recipient of the 2011 Sendak Fellowship.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great "I Can Read Comics" addition. I read Fish and Wave by Ruzzier earlier this year and quite enjoyed it. I've been meaning to get my hands on this one. It has great heart with simplistic words for emerging readers. If you're looking for a transitional reader that focuses on comics then this is one to check out.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fish is delighted when he discovers a friend to play with, but dismayed to find his new pal goes away at twilight. Ruzzier's art is always a treat - simple, yet effective at causing smiles.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comic-style easy reader. Text is sparse but includes difficult learner words "friend" and "light." Vocabulary pushes it to level 3 for me but otherwise would be a 2.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wait for any book by Sergio Ruzzier, always fun to read for younger readers. This time in the morning, Fish tells his mom that he's bored. He has nothing to do. Everything is 'dark and cold and boring". All of a sudden. . . Fish discovers Sun, a new friend. They play a few games together, like hide 'n seek. The day becomes delightful, until. . . I guess you and the readers know what happens and the readers will love it.
As you see at the top of the cover, this is part of the "I Can Read! Comics" with three levels. At the front, there is a page titled "Cartooning Basics" explaining panels, gutters, and tiers. It adds how the word balloons work and more. It's a helpful addition for comic readers and perhaps those who want to try to draw their own. This story with simple illustrations and brief text will make a great storytime.

[Laura Mossa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fish is bored at the bottom of the cold, dark ocean and decides to venture to the surface. When Fish first pokes out of the water, it is still cold, dark, and boring until Sun rises in the sky. Fish and Sun become fast friends playing together until Sun starts to set. Confused and sad, Fish thinks Sun has disappeared forever, but is reunited with Sun when Fish returns to the surface the next day. I am a big fan of Ruzzier’s work especially Fox and Chick. With concise text including high frequency words in speech bubbles and warm full panel illustrations that show both character’s feelings, young readers have support to read and enjoy Fish and Sun.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple, early reader graphic novel. Fish is lonely. It is dark and cold in the ocean. When fish travels to the surface, it is still dark but then - sun appears! Sun and Fish play until Sun disappears. Fish is worried that Sun is gone for good but the next day - Sun returns!
I really enjoy Sergio Ruzzier's illustrations - and this is no exception. I loved Sun! Also, there is a brief introduction to creating your own comics at the beginning of the book. I think this will be very popular with younger kids.

[emyrose8 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5- Great concept- create easy reader graphic novels/comics to teach kids how to read them so they know what to do on bigger books. That explanation page was actually my favorite part of the book. The story itself was okay. Good illustrations. Although, did anyone else notice the entire story is told in one panel spreads? No tiers. All that teaching and they keep the kiddos reading one panel at a time. Readers do get to practice reading dialogue (who goes first etc). But I suppose this is a Level One book. Maybe multiple panels on a page appear at Level Two.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bored Fish swims to the ocean’s surface and meets Sun. When Sun sets after a day of playing hide-and-seek, Fish sadly swims back home. On the following day, Fish returns to the surface, Sun rises, and the two friends make plans to play all day every day. A simple text (in speech balloons) and colorful sequential artwork make this early reader a good introduction to stories in graphic novel format. (PreK-Gr 2)

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This easy reader graphic novel has really cute, expressive illustrations and a nice friendship story. The author uses the format well, and it truly feels like an extremely short graphic novel, rather than just an easy reader broken up into panels. This flows very smoothly, and is my favorite artistically of the new books in this format that I've just read.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very simple and easy to read, with an interesting look at understanding how the sun rises and sets each day. Something that would keep kids reading, but no necessarily one they'd love, cherish or remember long term.

Checked out at library and reviewed in consideration for Cybils Award Easy Reader shortlist for 2021.

[Danielle Robertson Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this story about the fish meeting his a new friend was very sweet and charming. It broke my heart when the fish thought he'd never see his friend again, but that's how friendship feels sometimes as we grow up. It was so cute to see the fish reunited with his friend. I loved this book and thankfully my 3-year-old liked it too.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruzzier's tone is always laconic, humorous while being wholly winsome. He is the master of the unexpected and Fish and Sun does not disappoint. I live to see a fish crying and sleeping at the bottom of the sea with its fishy head on a pillow. Good old sun, always coming back.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fish is cold, so Fish swims up and meets Sun. They play and have fun until Sun sets, causing Fish to become very sad. But all is well when Sun returns the next day. Cute, simple story about play time ending and there's always tomorrow.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a level 1 “I can read book”. Good one for those beginning to read with large font, speech bubbles, few words, and humor. Child does need to know the concept of a setting and rising sun to enjoy the story.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "cartooning basics" at the beginning of this book are a great teaching tool for young readers unfamiliar with the format of graphic novels.

This felt more like a picture book, though - which is the category it was placed in for Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2021.

[Brigid · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lonely fish makes friends with the sun, is sad when the sun goes away, and is delighted to see it when it returns the next day. That's about it for plot in this sweet story for preschoolers, but the watercolor artwork makes it extra special.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes the simplest of things are the most magical.

This is a simple story about a friendship between a fish and the sun. Endearing illustrations kids & all ages will love.

Themes: friendship, fish, sun
Ages: K-1st grade
Pub year: 2021

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fish is bored and lonely until Sun appears. But when Fish's new friend disappears, it wonders if they'll ever meet again.

An introduction to the cycle of the sun in an inventive friendship story. The text is simple and great for a beginning reader.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fish is cold and bored until she makes a new friend, Sun. They have so much fun together, but then Sun disappears. Will fish get to see Sun again?

This would be a good book to use with learning about day and night.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bored little fish makes friends with Sun in this graphic early reader.

[Kelly]

Cute and simple early reader.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teachers will love the cartooning basics at the beginning of this book.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a beginner's comic, but it's so simple-1 picture for each 2 page spread. it doesn't seem like a comic. maybe a level 2 would be better

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple graphic novel that teaches young kids about sun sets. Not a ton of scientific fact but a fun beginning reader.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aww! The sweet, retro-styled illustrations are a joy to look at, and this simple, gentle story is a nice choice for a beginning reader.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story about a fish and his friend the sun.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not comics. It’s a picture book.

[Neha Thakkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, my daughter loves that she can “read” fish and sun. It reminds me of Teletubbies for some reason and is soothing is a similar way.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 2 out of 5]

An early reader book featuring a fish who meets the sun, but then thinks they’ll never see the sun again when it goes down. But it comes back. Yay. Friends.