Published by Walker Books
This book is about grief, and fish. In particular a specific clownfish. They are the Nemos of the fish world. Dak’s father has recently died from a heart attack. His mother is trying to do her best, however, she is really too ill with grief to support her son very much and he finds himself drawn to the local aquarium. He and his father had spent many hours just watching the fish, and its there he feels closest to him.
It is a small aquarium, run by a friend of Dak’s father and he runs it with help from a young man, Johnny, who gives the talks to the public. It is when Dak is gazing into one of the coral fish tanks that he hears his name being called from behind him, and things begin to change.
Dak visits everyday and is relieved to be asked by the owner whether he would be happy help with the fish; it gives him a very good excuse for his visits. His first public appearance results in his being soaked by some rather exuberant sea bass, but also gives him some quiet satisfaction, and he begins to enjoy working around the fish, in particular the tanks with the clownfish.
This is a touching, simply written rather wonderful book about grief, and the sometimes strange roads that grief can take you down.
Sadly the book hasn’t been given its final cover, it is due out in November and I read one of their proofs – so I have raided the Internet once more for a suitable picture for this and since pipefish are also mentioned in the book, I thought this one would be most suitable.
The picture is credited to Pxleyes; I hope they don’t mind my using it – much the best I thought.
Sue & Pakka's... 