School of fish by Louis Shea

Superheroes come in different shapes and sizes in this funny graphic novel set in Shipwreck Primary – a school for fish.  Great white sharks, octopus and sea cucumbers are part of the teaching staff, and the students are various aquatic species all trying to survive normal school dilemmas. The new kid though seems to be of a different class of creature and Finn and his sea-creature pals try and work out why she seems to be different and a little bit elusive. This revelation is not saved to the end, and their new friend proves to be a speedy and potential rival to the bully Blake Kraken in the annual Great Ocean Race.

With quirky humour and beautifully illustrated graphic frames this will be a delight for lovers of the graphic novel genre. Between the narrative chapters are humorous profiles of the teaching staff. With hints of a super-hero 'Fintastic Four' friendship team and the inevitable conflicts with bullies and teachers, this is just a fun-tastic light-hearted and visually delightful underwater splash. Slightly older readers will recognise the visual humour and satire. A second book in the series is hinted at too!

Themes: Graphic Novel, Fish, School, Friendship, Competition, Bullying.

Carolyn Hull