Neil Sharpson (text) and Dan Santat (illustrator), Don’t Trust Fish, Penguin, April 2025, 40 pp., RRP $19.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781761351082
Don’t trust Jeff.
Don’t trust fish.
Dive into a delightfully absurd tale with Don’t Trust Fish, a hilarious picture book for ages 3 to 7. What begins with definitions of mammals, reptiles, and birds quickly turns into a tongue-in-cheek conspiracy against fish—accused of everything from espionage to plotting world domination.
Neil Sharpson cleverly uses repetition and unhinged narratives to perfectly pace the comedic text, where readers feel like they are on a rollercoaster of laughs.
Dan Santat’s illustrations move between textbook-style animal profiles to full-page cartoons of suspicious fish lurking in toilets, spying on families, and more. The visual humour is perfectly matched to each punchline and keeps the comic energy high.
Ideal for story time, this book appeals to readers who enjoy absurd humour. It’s also a great pick for educators introducing animal classification with a fun, engaging twist, or anyone looking for an entertaining read.
Don’t Trust Fish is humorous storytelling at its best. Young readers will love the outrageous tale, parents will enjoy sharing its silliness, and teachers can use it to explore themes of perspective, critical thinking, and animal knowledge.
Reviewed by Shelley Stephens
