SASHIMI

A fish out of water goes undercover in elementary school.

Dressed in a hoodie tied tightly (perhaps to conceal some anatomical anomaly?) around his enormous-eyed, super-sweaty, orange-skinned face, Sashimi—part fish, part human—cuts an odd figure. His first day at Barnacle Bay Elementary doesn’t go swimmingly; he’s barraged with questions from curious classmates (“Why do you smell like fish?” “Why don’t you have a nose?”), can’t stop guzzling water, and encounters bullies. But Sashimi chuckles at his tormentors’ puns, confidently gobbles fish flakes at lunch, and finds kinship with the class goldfish. He’s trying to blend in so he can complete his mission—to locate the fabled Beast of Barnacle Bay and uncover answers about his own origins. In the process, he befriends Joey, the class nerd, and meets other oddballs in search of the sea monster, including Joey’s grandpa, Poopdeck Pete. Sashimi’s efforts to appreciate what makes him unique while finding a sense of belonging form the book’s central theme, while issues with the school budget, a soda-induced sugar rush, and the annual local Beast hunt offer episodic antics that enrich the narrative. Goofy, exaggerated facial expressions telegraph Sashimi’s shock, Joey’s worry, and Poopdeck Pete’s comedic determination to face his aquatic foe. A yellow-green color scheme evokes bayside swampiness. Introducing a hero who’s both relatable and ridiculous, this first in a new series promises more compelling adventures ahead. Human characters vary in skin tone.

Silly yet sincere, a satisfying start to a serial story of self-discovery.