Oh look, it's a new Katherine Arden book. Yes, that's right. Another new Katherine Arden book. While the author of the gorgeous Winternight Trilogy spoiled us already with The Warm Hands of Ghosts this year, here is another little treat (bite-size, really) to tide us over until the next big novel. After Arden's Middle Grade horror quartet, she has now entered the world of children's books with a delightful story about a rather strange fish...
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This is the tale of Daisy who loves the month of October and everything that goes with it. She loves the fair most of all. This year, her sister won a big stuffed panda, of which she is a little bit jealous. But Daisy herself won a fish! It may be a rather strange fish, with too many colors and leaf-like fins, but Daisy is determined to make the best home for her new fish she possibly can. When she wakes up the next day, the fish has grown so much that it doesn't fit in its bowl anymore. Maybe the fish - whom she names October - is stranger than expected...

What a lovely little tale about a young girl and her pet fish! This being a short children's book, there is only so much I can say about it without simply retelling the entire story. But let me say this much: I adored where the tale leads, the explanation for the fish's oddly fast growth, and especially the way Daisy handles it.

There aren't a lot of words on each page, but that makes the ones that are there all the more important. I especially loved the small moments where Daisy shows kindness, like when she'd rather have her sister's stuffed animal than her weird fish, but chooses not to say so because it would hurt the fish's feelings. Oh my heart!

In children's books like this one, the art is probably even more important than the words, and that's where I have to say I wasn't a fan. Here's the first page as an example {example page goes here].

I do like how the human characters are drawn, but the backgrounds feel like unfinished paintings or hurried experiments with color. I don't mind if a picture is somewhat abstract or child-like on purpose, but this just didn't work for me. That's pretty much all I can give you as an explanation because art is so subjective, nothing I say will or should convince you that I am right. You'll just have to see for yourself.

That said, I did find this particular style very fitting for October the fish itself. The wa it's described and the accompanying pictures are utterly perfect. The long, leafy fins, the many colors, the strangeness of the fish - this was excellently done, in my opinion.

Overall, this was a lovely children's book that can be enjoyed by very little ones (although it depends on how well you vibe with the art style) and slightly less little kids. Arden isn't trying to do much more than tell a cute story with an underlying message of kindness and self-confidence, and that's really as it should be. I liked this book a lot.

MY RATING: 7/10 - Very good

Stunning illustrations and truly imaginative, The Strangest Fish was beautiful from start to finish. We loved the journey of the fish as it continued to grow, and the transformation at the end was delightful.

A sweet little picture book about a girl who wins an odd fish as a prize at the fair and it just won't stop growing! It was a cute, slightly fantastical story accompanied by lovely art. I've loved many of Arden's books for older audiences and I'm glad to see I enjoyed her first picture book just as much.

“Awww that was beautiful!” - Lisa age 6

This was a very cute story about a very strange and colorful fish. She learns how to love and care for her new pet fish she won at the fair… but is it really a fish? Such a fun little read. I’m sure we will be reading this one over and over again!

Omg this book was so cute! The illustrations are pure art, the history is pure magic and cuteness. I really loved to be inspired by the message the author passed me. Truly amazing!

Children who like animals, and/or have big imaginations, will love this whimsical book about a strange fish. The main character, a little girl named Daisy, wins a pet fish at the carnival. Even though it is strange-looking, she promises the fish that she will take care of it. I loved how authentic the girl's emotions felt; you could tell she really loved the fish like a friend. I really felt that when we read that Daisy felt jealous of her sister winning a koala toy, but she didn't say to because she didn't want to hurt the fish's feelings.

The watercolor illustrations are colorful and evocative of whimsy, just like the story.

My only critique is that the plot felt a little simple.

This is kind of a weird book, in a good way of course. A little girl wins a strange fish at the fair and each day it gets stranger and stranger. I think this is a fun book for children who have very wild and active imaginations, it is a whimsical kind of book and I think a lot of children would enjoy that. Reading it wasn't very exciting though, the writing just felt a bit flat for me. I think it was a bit too simple, it could have had more excitement in it, more whimsy to really go with the story being told. The ending of the book didn't really feel complete, it felt a bit left off as if there could have been a bit more to finish it.

The illustrations fit the story perfectly. They were wild and whimsical and really expressed the story the way it needed to be.

This story has a dreamlike quality, with its colorful illustrations and fantastical twist. A little girl cares for the fish that she won at a carnival, and even though it keeps getting bigger and bigger, she keeps finding new ways to care for it, even though her family is dismissive and discouraging. The story ends on a happy note, with the creature grown to its full size and the little girl riding it in the water. I would have liked to see some resolution with the family members, but you can tell that the little girl is happy and satisfied, regardless of their opinions.

Thank you Astra publishing House and Netgalley for the ARC of this wonderful book.

The strangest fish is whimsical and weird as the book title says. Mary wins a fish at gofish and she isn't as happy as she should be as she would rather have a stuffed animal. But the fish named October is not just a fish.


The story is simple and wonderful and the art is pleasant and vibrant. My kid loved it.

Highly and definitely recommend it.

Whimsical and weird, The Strangest Fish is a delightful little tale paired with stunning art. Young and old readers alike will surely enjoy the journey!

I recently read 'The Strangest Fish', a children's illustrated book that I found to be a very cute and enjoyable read. When it comes to children's books, it's important to consider the target age group. In my opinion, this book might be better suited for 5-7 year range compared to my 3 year-old.

The art style of the book is lovely and quirky, which I believe will definitely capture and maintain the interest of young readers, especially as the Fish grows bigger throughout the story. The whimsical nature of the tale adds a delightful touch to the overall experience. I like the short but impactful narrative making it a easy bedtime story.

One particular aspect that stood out to me was the authentic moment when the character acknowledges wanting a stuffed koala that her sister had won but choosing not to show disappointment in front of her friend (the fish). This genuine emotion is raw and real which is something that I think many children can relate to and appreciate in a story.

Overall, 'The Strangest Fish' is a charming book with beautiful illustrations and heartfelt moments that would make it a great read for children. Defiantly a book to have if you have little ones around the house.

Just a massive thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Quick and cute. Loved the illustrations and color. I wonder if this is a standalone or the beginning of a series...r

Katherine Arden is an auto-buy author for me, so I was not surprised that I loved this children’s book!
The illustrations are vibrant and eye-catching, and the story is precious. I’ll definitely be buying this for the children in my life!

The Strangest Fish is a beautiful picture book about Daisy who wins a goldfish at the fair. She takes it home only to find out that the goldfish might be more than she ever imagined!

This was such a sweet picture book and the illustrations were wonderful. We all need a little more magic in the world, and I loved following along Daisy's journey.

Thanks to NetGalley, Katherine Arden, and Astra Publishing House for the chance to review!

Pjs, cuddling, and story-time before bed is a favorite at our house! The last couple weeks the kids had so much fun reading some new material I was given advanced copies of. It’s cute how now they ask what new books I have to read. As soon as I’m finished they will tell me what they loved about the book. My great little reviewers! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚📖 @netgalley #netgalley

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The Strangest Fish is a beautifully illustrated children’s book. Author Kathrine Ardin and illustrator Zahra Marwin have given us a lovely addition to your child’s library. Daisy wins an interesting looking fish at the carnival but as soon as it gets home it starts growing.

Daisy loves her fishy thing and attempts to keep it comfortable as it continuously outgrows it homes. I’m reminded of the Dr. Seuss book about a fishy thing found in the park that keeps growing. This story though is lyrical and the subject and pictures are beautifully drawn.

I think this will be a favorite with young readers.

This book was so cute! The illustrations were beautiful and the story was fun. I felt like the illustrations really fit the story and made it stand out.
I loved reading yet another different age category/type of story from Katherine Arden!

October is also my favorite month, for many of the same reasons. At first I thought it would end up being a weird goldfish in the story, but what it ended up being was so much better! I LOVED this story.

Cute little story about a strange little fish won at a festival. Once the fish is in its new home, it starts outgrowing its fishbowl daily. She moves him to a lake, and he ends up being something totally different. Cute book with lots of color in all the pictures. My daughter thought the ending was really cool and she loved it.

Is that a fish ? Or something bigger ?!

After a little ound a fish, she tried to bring it home to live in a bowl. But each day, it goes bigger and bigger ! She has to change its bowl each morning ! Why is it growing that fast ?

Maybe that fish isn't a real fish after all....