Whether in tall tales or nonfiction, creatures from the shallows and the deep swim into starring roles in this collection. Authors and illustrators have become evermore adept at hooking readers with fantasy and humor while providing solid details like breadcrumbs on the path to continuing curiosity.

Hanson, Thor. The Escape Artist: A True Story of Octopus Adventure. illus. by Galia Bernstein. 32p. Greenwillow. 2025. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780062676474.
K-Gr 2–Inky the wily octopus! Droll digital illustrations with textures created in watercolors capture a smart and sneaky real-life octopus in all his escaping glory. Inky was caught at sea and placed in a tank at the National Aquarium of New Zealand. His playful antics and intelligence made him a favorite there with caretakers and visitors alike. When Inky’s tank was left unlocked one night, he made a bold escape across the aquarium and down a floor drain. Readers will enjoy the highly entertaining and true story of this curious octopus and will be cheering Inky’s escape back to his “tank without walls.” Back matter includes information on many of the fascinating features of the octopus. VERDICT A daring escape, an engaging hero, and a happy ending, along with the chance to learn more about the amazing octopus. This is an all-around winner, a tall tale that happens to be (mostly) the truth.–John Scott

Pendreigh, Kirsten. What Fish Are Saying: Strange Sounds in the Ocean. illus. by Katie Melrose. 40p. Sourcebooks/eXplore. 2025. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781464218965.
PreS-Gr 2–This book has it all: captivating illustrations that bring the underwater world to life without being cartoonish; fantastic rhyming verses that make science facts easily understood and memorable; loads of information about how fish communicate. It’s an obvious choice for nature lovers and science teachers, but it also provides a wealth of new vocabulary and plenty of opportunities for lessons about rhyming words, onomatopoeia, perspective, and point of view. With all the sound effects, this will be a popular read-aloud for story hours; there’s so much to learn about underwater sounds, and readers will appreciate such a terrific introduction to the topic. Those students who may not ordinarily be drawn to science themes not only will learn new concepts but will likely start asking more questions about this noisy underwater realm. VERDICT Educators, parents, and students will absolutely love this book. It’s beautifully illustrated, funny, and educational; start recommending it ASAP.–Darby Wallace

Sharpson, Neil. Don’t Trust Fish. illus. by Dan Santat. 40p. Dial. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780593616673.
PreS-Gr 3–This hilarious book is going to be a big hit with young readers. An unseen storyteller starts by describing the five different kingdoms of animals, in artwork that is both realistic and traditional. Once the narration gets to the fish kingdom, story and art change. There are wild opinions thrown about covering how fish don’t follow the rules—some have gills and some have lungs. Then the conspiracy theories start: “We can’t see fish. What are they talking about? We must learn their fishy secrets.” The illustrations continue to evolve into a more fantastical and comical style, with images that will have readers laughing out loud. What’s really funny is the surprise that gives Sharpson and Santat the last laugh. This is a terrific book for young readers who will be highly entertained by the text and images, but it could also be used with older students for a lesson on bias, author’s purpose, and media literacy. VERDICT A must for every library. It is accessible to young and old, wildly entertaining, and effortlessly instructive.–Debbie Tanner

[Read: The Joy and Responsibilities of Library Aquariums]

Tagholm, Sarah. We Are the Wibbly! illus. by Jane McGuinness. 32p. Bloomsbury. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781547615742.
PreS-Gr 2–In an engrossing stream of facts through a charming narrative lens, a reluctant tadpole learns that growing up can be a lot of work. Life in the Wibbly is peaceful, until it’s not, with changes crashing in. One moment, a tadpole is floating happily with their egg friends, and the next, everything is happening: tails appear, legs sprout, and suddenly, air-swimming is a thing. But what if a tadpole is not ready? Tagholm’s lively, childlike narration perfectly captures the emotional roller-coaster of metamorphosis, as the reluctant tadpole watches friends transform at different speeds while cycling through curiosity, frustration, jealousy, and eventual triumph. The text’s playful, invented vocabulary (“spiked hunger-muncher”) and bouncy repetition (“OH MY CRIKEYS!”) create a delightful read-aloud rhythm, while the quirky font choice reflects the book’s spontaneous energy. Ink, mixed-media, and digital illustrations brim with movement and humor. The pond’s murky greens and blues provide a lush backdrop for the protagonist, whose exaggerated expressions channel the book’s wry tone. Composition shifts, from quiet floating scenes to frantic bursts of movement, mirror the protagonist’s changing emotions. The frogs are cartoonish yet scientifically accurate, reinforcing the book’s underlying message: everyone develops at their own pace. A closing spread clearly outlines the frog life cycle, grounding the story’s silliness in fact. This is a strong choice for early STEM collections and for children navigating their own big changes. VERDICT An eccentric, kinetic look at transformation, blending humor, heart, and science. A first purchase for story hours and picture book nonfiction collections.–Rose Garrett

Vail, Rachel. You and Me, Anemone: A Story About Friendship and Personal Space. illus. by Chris Raschka. 32p. Greenwillow. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780063414723.
PreS-Gr 1–Have readers take a dip in the crowded sea to learn from an anemone. In this nautical tongue-twister, readers follow the humble invertebrate’s example to advocate for personal boundaries and consent in hopes of a more harmonious world. Vail supplies melodious rhymes crafted with strong vocabulary, all showcased in a high-contrast font to create what will surely be a hit. Caldecott-winner Raschka stuns with a tapestry that has no shortage of eye-catching spreads perfect for large groups. One-on-one readers will undoubtedly practice the story’s lesson as they resist reaching out for a more tactile experience enticed by the embroidery in the artwork. VERDICT A lyrical lesson on personal boundaries with illustrations guaranteed to help enhance young readers’ vocabularies and imaginations. A must-buy for story hour shelves.–William Ives