Calming illustrations. Easy-to-understand themes of kindness, rejection and inclusion. Resilient characters that propel the story forward. Stands up against prejudice where consequences are established. Message is masterfully interwoven with the plot. Detailed narrative flows wonderfully and leaves impressions of curiosity. A lovely folktale full of delightful moments that teach valuable lessons. Overall, a good read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

I thought this book was very charming and it reminded me of books by classic authors from my childhood such as Jan Brett. I also enjoyed that this book teaches children about lifestyles that are probably different than their own (unless they live in a predominantly cold region). The illustrations were very chaming and I thought the story was easy to follow.


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Fish-Boy: An Inuit Folk Tale" by Vanita Oelschlager is a captivating journey into the rich cultural tapestry of the Inuit people, beautifully brought to life through stunning illustrations and a timeless narrative. Drawing upon traditional folklore, Oelschlager weaves a tale of courage, friendship, and the enduring bond between humans and nature.

Set against the backdrop of the Arctic landscape, the story follows Fish-Boy, a young orphan who discovers his extraordinary connection to the sea. With lyrical prose and vivid imagery, Oelschlager transports readers to a world where mythical creatures dwell beneath the icy waters and the line between reality and imagination blurs.

At its heart, "Fish-Boy" is a story of self-discovery and acceptance. Through Fish-Boy's adventures, readers are reminded of the importance of embracing one's identity and finding strength in one's uniqueness. Oelschlager skillfully infuses the narrative with themes of resilience and determination, inspiring readers to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams.

One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its celebration of Inuit culture and traditions. Oelschlager pays homage to the indigenous peoples of the Arctic region, honoring their wisdom, customs, and connection to the natural world. Through Fish-Boy's encounters with mythical beings like Sedna, the sea goddess, readers gain insight into Inuit mythology and folklore, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

The illustrations in "Fish-Boy" are truly breathtaking, capturing the stark beauty of the Arctic landscape and the magical creatures that inhabit it. Each page is a work of art, filled with intricate details and vibrant colors that transport readers to Fish-Boy's world. The artwork complements the narrative perfectly, enhancing the story's emotional depth and sense of wonder.

Overall, "Fish-Boy: An Inuit Folk Tale" is a spellbinding tale that will captivate readers of all ages. With its timeless themes, evocative storytelling, and stunning illustrations, it is a testament to the power of folklore to inspire, educate, and enchant. This book is a treasure to be cherished and shared, offering readers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Inuit people and the magic that lies beyond the frozen horizon.

Rating: 5/5

This was my first introduction to Inuit folktale. I loved the illustrations and the setup of an elder retelling folktales to the younger generation. These folktales have been lost in time and I'm so happy more titles are being published that bring recognition to the tales historically passed down orally from generation to the next. I'm looking for more like this and so happy to give a 5 star rating to Vanita Oelschlager's Fish-Boy.

Fish-Boy is a beautiful story in so many ways. The illustrations are beautiful and eye catching, they seem to get better with each page. The story is an Inuit legend that teaches an important lesson. I would recommend this picture book for children's personal libraries, classroom/school/public libraries as well as it is important that we share these with our children as part of our learning about our First Nations people and their gifts.

Thank you Net Galley, Vanita Oleschlager, Mike Blanc and Vanita Books for the opportunity to enjoy this picture book prior to its release on May 1, 2024.

#NetGalley #VanitaBooks #FishBoy

The illustrations in this book are amazing! And well.. who doesn't love puffins?! That's always a plus!
It's a great and educational book on native stories, which I think is super interesting and important. I will definitely look up more about this story.

Fish-Boy is apparently an Inuit Puffin-creation story retold by Vanita Oelschlager, but there isn't a clear indication of who "owns" the story in the sense of cultural knowledge, which is something I'd like to see before recommending this for a school library.

Additionally, the text-to-illustration balance is slightly off, which causes it to feel as though it's straddling age/interest levels unsuccessfully.

the illustrations of this book were really well done and pretty and i think the representation is super important!!

Beautiful folk story. I learned so much more from this book. I usually don't Google when reading. But this book I was intrigued to do so. The art was nice too.

Fish-Boy is a telling of an Inuit folk tale that teaches kids kindness.
I was in awe reading this. It's fun and the illustrations were really good. Would recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fish-Boy is a wonderfully crafted telling of an Inuit folk tale that I had a delightful time reading. I unfortunately can't give a full five stars because I had a world of trouble opening my review copy and the pages kept glitching out. However, what I was able to read was absolutely five-star material, and I'm sure any parent or educator who has their eye on this title will be completely satisfied introducing it to the children in their care. The art style is gorgeous and engaging and the lovely writing lends itself very well to the tale of Fish-Boy.

had so much fun reading this book, the story is so adorable and the illustrations were so well done and charming, there’s so many little details in every page that I couldn’t stop but be mesmerized by it all. I will definitely be recommending it! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

Thank you to NetGalley and Vanita Books for the ARC.

Vanita Oelschlager did it again! Honestly her children's books are great.

The art by Mike Blanc is stunning, I am especially in awe of that map on the first two pages. Beautiful. I always do love a fantastic book filled with art.

This story is set in the Arctic region of North America. The Inuit people talk of unbelievable folk tales to explain the mysteries of our world.

In Fish-Boy: An Inuit Folk Tale, Oelschlager, Vanita tells us a story that was passed down by a wise Inuit elder. It's a story with a little magic and a boy on a journey with his father.

Can I just repeat myself about the whole art thing? The art is just soft and digital all at once, it reminds me of some of my favourite kid's books from the 90s that were vintage because my mum collected them. The art done in a lot of vintage children's books are intricate in their details and sense of softness that every child needs.

Can we talk about how well this is written, just for a moment? It's obvious research has been done, and it's obvious there is passion about the subject in this children's book. I can imagine, right now, seeing a mother reading this to her children as they trace the art with their hands.

The overall point to the plot/story was a good one, one that will teach children to be kind and care for one another.

This is my favourite book so far, from Vanita. Absolutely wholesome.

Fish-Boy by Vanita Oelschlager is treat to the eyes, depicting vibrant illustration and a meaningful message.

Like all the children's book, this book also has an important message and a life lesson told through an Inuit folktale that "one should always be kind no matter the circumstances".

Must read for young minds.

Thank you Netgalley and Vanita Oelschlager for providing me with ARC.

+Digital ARC was gently provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.+

"Fish-Boy, An Inuit Folk Tale" is the retelling of an old Artic tale written by author Vanita Oelschlager and gorgeously illustrated by Mike Blanc. As is the tradition with many Indigenous tales, this origin story explains how puffins came to the Arctic.

It is text-heavy for a picture book, making it a challenging read-aloud for most primary classrooms. However, the glossary at the back is helpful for independent readers. What readers may find most interesting is the two-page spread at the start of the book that shows the Bering Strait between Russia and Alaska and the Diomedes Islands (their Inuit names translate to Yesterday Island and Tomorrow Island). Here lies the International Date Line about which the wise Inuit elder, Teragloona, says, "If you could stand there, you'd have one foot in today and one in tomorrow!"

The powerful artwork provides depth to the storytelling. Blanc's use of shape and colour brings the village and its people to life.

I only wish the publisher had chosen an Indigenous artist to illustrate this book. This is an Indigenous tale being told by an author who does not self-identify as Indigenous. All-in-all, it is a lovely book. Despite its strengths, I would choose books from Indigenous voices over this one to ensure that such stories are told by Indigenous authors & illustrators.

As part of my MLIS I took a class on folk and fairy tales and ever since then I've been mildly obsessed with them, so this tale was right up my alley. Fish-Boy is a beautifully told and illustrated Inuit folk tale that tells the story of why there are so many puffins that they look like a floating island. The story is a little long for a picture book, but the author does provide a glossary of terms, and I think this story will have no problem finding an audience who enjoys the story.

Fish Boy is another great book by children’s author Vanita Oelschlager.

It is a retelling of an Inuit folktale. A lame man who cannot hunt becomes a fisherman. Out in the ocean he discovers an armless fish-boy who is all alone. The boy offers to help the fisherman find fish in exchange for becoming his father. This is an origin story about the multitude of sea parrots (puffins) which hover over the northern Atlantic waters. But it is also a beautiful story with themes about generosity, hospitality, and acceptance of the differently abled. As usual in the author’s books, there are educational notes for teachers at the back of the book. This includes a glossery and teaching suggestions. The lovely art by Mike Blank depicts the story through pastel watercolors.

I suggest this book for children aged 5 and up. Teachers doing a unit on Inuit culture, origin stories, of folktales from different cultures would find this book invaluable. Like many other books by this author, it is a must-have for school libraries.

I received this book from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This cover is too adorable!! Who doesn't love puffins??

The story is just the cutest and it was fun to learn about the folktales. The illustrations are beautifully done and colorful. I think any child would enjoy reading this one!!

A really beautiful story about an armless fish-boy and how he helped an entire village and his father. This book tells an Inuit folk tale, so different from other stories that I expected. The art style complements the narrative and is amazing. I recomend it to older children, because the text is longer.

"Thank you Netgalley, and Vanita Books for this eARC*

This book was so adorable, I loved everything about it, the illustrations were so well done, they suited the book perfectly, the story was amazing as well, even thought is very short I could really connect with the characters and feel theirs struggles.
I’m sure the kids are going to be just as enthralled with this amazing book as I was.
I will definitely recommend!

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy