Jake and Ava: A Boy and a Fish

“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. “

                      —Sy Montgomery, author of Becoming a Good Creature.

"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.

"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