• Age: 3 to 7
• Grade: p to 2

From New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Balcombe comes this charming and affecting tale of young Jake, who on his first fishing trip with his grandfather, makes a crucial discovery when he meets Ava, an archerfish, caught on his line.

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

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

Jonathan Balcombe's profile page

Rebecca Evans' profile page

*Jonathan Balcombe is a biologist with a PhD in ethology, the study of animal behavior. His books include What a Fish Knows, a New York Times best-seller translated into fifteen languages; Super fly: The Unexpected Lives of the World’s Most Successful Insects; Pleasurable Kingdom, Second Nature, and The Exultant Ark,
*Rebecca Evans is an illustrator and author living in Maryland. She is the author and illustrator of numerous books including: Jeannie Houdini: A Hamster's Tale, 2 a Lot: An Adventure With Numbers; PLANTS FIGHT BACK; IF ANIMALS BUILT YOUR HOUSE ; and ALONE LIKE ME.

“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

"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.”

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

"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. “

—Sy Montgomery, author of Becoming a Good Creature.

"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