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Jake and Ava: A Boy and a Fish
From New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Balcombe comes this charming and affecting tale of young Jake, who on his first fishing trip with his grandfather, makes a crucial discovery when he meets Ava, an archerfish, caught on his line.
This tender tale will evoke empathy in young readers. And, the art is exquisite."
--Joyce Sidman, winner of the NCTE Award for excellence in Poetry for Children, Winner of the Sibert Medal, author of The Girl who Drew Butterflies and many other titles.
This tender tale will evoke empathy in young readers. And, the art is exquisite."
--Joyce Sidman, winner of the NCTE Award for excellence in Poetry for Children, Winner of the Sibert Medal, author of The Girl who Drew Butterflies and many other titles.
- GenresPicture Books
24 pages, Hardcover
Published November 2, 2021
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Balcombe
12Ìýbooks139ÌýfollowersJonathan Balcombe was born in England, raised in New Zealand and Canada, and has lived in the United States since 1987. He has three biology degrees, including a PhD in ethology (the study of animal behavior) from the University of Tennessee, where he studied communication in bats. He has published over 45 scientific papers on animal behavior and animal protection.
He is the author of four books. Jonathon is currently at work on a new book about the inner lives of fishes, and a novel titled After Meat.
Formerly Senior Research Scientist with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Jonathan is currently the Department Chair for Animal Studies with the Humane Society University.
Based near Washington, DC, in his spare time Jonathan enjoys biking, baking, birdwatching, piano, painting, and trying to understand his two cats.
He is the author of four books. Jonathon is currently at work on a new book about the inner lives of fishes, and a novel titled After Meat.
Formerly Senior Research Scientist with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Jonathan is currently the Department Chair for Animal Studies with the Humane Society University.
Based near Washington, DC, in his spare time Jonathan enjoys biking, baking, birdwatching, piano, painting, and trying to understand his two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 29, 2021
Educational and somehow emotionally educational as well.
A little boy learns how to fish with his grandfather but something happens after they catch a fish.
How the story ended is so satisfying. You just have to read this with the kids.
The art is amazing!
Thank you, author/artist, for the advance reading copy.
A little boy learns how to fish with his grandfather but something happens after they catch a fish.
How the story ended is so satisfying. You just have to read this with the kids.
The art is amazing!
Thank you, author/artist, for the advance reading copy.
October 24, 2021
4 Stars
Jake goes on his first fishing adventure with his grandpa. He learns how to fish, while Ava, the archerfish, is learning how to hunt from her uncle. What happens when Jake catches Ava in his first-ever fishing adventure?
The story is about empathy towards the marine life and how fishes also feel pain when caught. Jake is a sweet little boy who is worried about worms being hurt when used as bait and then happily lets go of the little fish he caught.
There’s full-page information at the end of the book about recreational fishing and its ill effects on marine life. The illustrations are in watercolors with tiny text to take the story forward. While the setting and the feel were real-like, something felt lacking in the overall narrative. I can’t put my finger on it, sorry.
Yet, the book is a good way to teach kids about treating insects and animals with love.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#JakeandAvaABoyandaFish #NetGalley
Jake goes on his first fishing adventure with his grandpa. He learns how to fish, while Ava, the archerfish, is learning how to hunt from her uncle. What happens when Jake catches Ava in his first-ever fishing adventure?
The story is about empathy towards the marine life and how fishes also feel pain when caught. Jake is a sweet little boy who is worried about worms being hurt when used as bait and then happily lets go of the little fish he caught.
There’s full-page information at the end of the book about recreational fishing and its ill effects on marine life. The illustrations are in watercolors with tiny text to take the story forward. While the setting and the feel were real-like, something felt lacking in the overall narrative. I can’t put my finger on it, sorry.
Yet, the book is a good way to teach kids about treating insects and animals with love.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#JakeandAvaABoyandaFish #NetGalley
October 15, 2021
From the beautiful, delicate illustrations to the easy-to-follow yet also very touching and words, this book brings across one simple, clear message to young and old: humans and non-humans, in this case fish (and insects) have a lot more in common and thus, all living creatures deserve love and respect.
The book draws perfect parallels between human relationships and fish relatives and puts into words and images how especially children still connect to non-humans to a much deeper level, which we, the older adults, can learn a lot from (i.e. going back to our inner child).
At the end of the book, one can find a couple of simple steps on how we can all protect marine species better, one very important step being simply to spend some time in the water to observe fish in their natural habitat without interfering too much with them.
The book draws perfect parallels between human relationships and fish relatives and puts into words and images how especially children still connect to non-humans to a much deeper level, which we, the older adults, can learn a lot from (i.e. going back to our inner child).
At the end of the book, one can find a couple of simple steps on how we can all protect marine species better, one very important step being simply to spend some time in the water to observe fish in their natural habitat without interfering too much with them.
April 21, 2022
The world needs more children's books like this! It will make children think twice about their relationship with other animals--and maybe make some grown-ups who read the story to their children think again too. Balcombe's story is simple, straightforward, and quite touching, and Rebecca Evans' lovely watercolor illustrations of the landscape (and the fish and birds and alligators who inhabit it) give the book strong visual appeal.
November 4, 2021
Jake and Ava : A Boy and a Fish is an interesting story and not at all what I was expecting. I was pleasantly surprised with the subject matter and myself and my 5 year old son enjoyed it and continued to discuss it long after we finished reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my ARC.
December 19, 2021
Jake was a kind little soul who hated to see other living things get hurt, even the very fish he went to catch with his grandpa. I think that character about Jake makes him a better person. An interesting and enlightening kids� book.
July 11, 2024
A sweet story about a child's choice to not go fishing in a world that pressures children to do so.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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