Review of Not Fishy Enough

This forum is for volunteer reviews by members of our review team. These reviews are done voluntarily by the reviewers and are published in this forum, separate from the official professional reviews. These reviews are kept separate primarily because the same book may be reviewed by many different reviewers.
Post Reply
User avatar
Gayatri Tripathi
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 435
Joined: 05 Jul 2023, 10:10
Favorite Book: E M P Honeymoon
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 26
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-gayatri-tripathi.html
Latest Review: 30th Century: Escape (General Audience Edition) by Mark Kingston Levin PhD
2025 Reading Goal: 150
2025 Goal Completion: 3%

Review of Not Fishy Enough

Post by Gayatri Tripathi »

[Following is a volunteer review of "Not Fishy Enough" by Briton Kolber.]
Book Cover
5 out of 5 stars
Share This Review


Not Fishy Enough by Briton Kolber is a children's book about a fish who does not feel like he belongs in his community. Although it is for younger readers, the underlying themes and messages will resonate with people of all ages.

Edwin felt like an outsider among his people. He used to cover up his true self to fit in with others. One day, he found himself on an adventure by chance. The author draws clear inspiration from Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. Children who liked these movies will have a blast reading this book. On this journey, he meets people who make him realise that he did not need to hide or change himself to be accepted. Readers can come to various conclusions regarding the hidden meaning present in the story.

The back half of the book consists of direct notes from the author. In this section, he refers to the different themes and meanings he had in mind while writing the book. He explains what each character stands for and how they inform the themes. I found this to be an interesting read, as it not only breaks down an author's view of his story, but also sheds light on a therapist's view of peer pressure and human connections. I appreciated his effort not to demean or dismiss any religion while exploring identity. This approach enables the book to reach a wider audience.

The writing style is joyful and easy to read. The author maintains a good pace, so no chapter feels too long. He assigns unique traits to each character, which keeps the story fresh and interesting. The illustrations in the book are detailed and beautiful. The combination of good writing and eccentric illustrations makes this book extremely enjoyable.

Overall, this is an exceptional book. I did not find anything to dislike in it. The book seems professionally edited, and I spotted no errors in the text. The mixture of well-executed ideas and thoughtful commentary makes it an extraordinary book. I would consider this one of the best children's books I have ever read. Considering the above points, I give this book a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. This book will make for a good read for all children and broaden their perspective on identity and self-awareness. The author's notes will provide the older readers with interesting questions and concepts that encourage open-minded thinking.

******
Not Fishy Enough
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Post Reply

Return to “Volunteer Reviews”