Jake and Ava: A Boy and a Fish

$17.99

Authors: Rebecca Evans (Illustrator), Jonathan Balcombe (author)
Genre: Fish
Format: Hardcover
Length: 24 pages
ASIN: 0940719460
ISBN: 9780940719460

From New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Balcombe comes this tale of young Jake, who makes a crucial choice when he meets an archerfish caught on his line.

Buy This Book Online

Indiepubs

Walmart

About the Book

jake-ava_spread-001_1400

Available now!

This affecting picture book tells the story of Jake, a young boy on his first fishing trip with his grandfather. Jake makes a discovery when he meets Ava, an archerfish, caught on his line. Featuring vivid illustrations of Australian flora and fauna, Jake and Ava encourages young children to learn about and empathize with the unique archerfish.

Recommended for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs

Resources

[su_button url=”/wp-content/uploads/pdf/classroom-guide_jake-and-ava.pdf” target=”blank” download=”classroom-guide_jake-and-ava.pdf”]Download Classroom Guide[/su_button]

“A sensitive topic swum with mindful strokes. Balcombe’s insightful juxtaposition of two youthful experiences wades through an emotional journey of learning and compassion. Evans’ richly hued watercolors evoke fluid movement and a vibrant natural landscape filled with wildlife. Illustrations and story harmonize well, highlighting vulnerability and the importance of compassion ...”

– Kirkus Reviews

“Jake and Ava: A Boy and a Fish is a gorgeous book with a beautiful message: that all creatures love their lives just like we love ours.” (Photo credit: Paula Gordon)

– Sy Montgomery, author of Becoming a Good Creature

“This tender tale will evoke empathy in young readers. And, the art is exquisite.”

– Joyce Sidman, winner of The Sibert Medal and the NCTE Award for excellence in Poetry for Children, author of The Girl who Drew Butterflies, Hello, Earth, and many other titles.

“Archerfishes like Ava are amazing beings. They are not only very bright but also have rich and deep emotional lives like the companion animals with whom we’re more familiar. In Jake and Ava, author Jonathan Balcombe tells a story of much needed empathy and kindness from a boy to a fish that deserves a broad global audience.”

– Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., author of Animals at Play and Jasper's story: Saving Moon Bears

“Jonathan Balcombe’s book will help children see fishes in the way they should be seen—as animals who deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. Jake and Ava is a meaningful and enjoyable story experience.”

– Aysha Akhtar, MD, MPH, author of Our Symphony With Animals. On Health, Empathy and Our Shared Destinies.

Rebecca Evans (Illustrator)

Rebecca Evans, the illustrator of nine previous children's picture book's, is an illustrator and author living in Maryland. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Art from Messiah College with a concentration in Drawing and Illustration. She worked for nine years as an artist and designer before returning to her first love: children’s book illustration and writing. Her experience includes illustrating and authoring children’s books, teaching art at the local Art Center, and publishing artwork with magazines and multiple publishing houses. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children, and working from her home studio. You can view her work at rebeccaevans.net.