The playful, rhyming verse is well matched with Hanna's funny cartoon illustrations.” —School Library Journal

“With colorful seascapes and bright-eyed ocean characters, Hanna gives this spirited tale light doses of humor (‘Rest stop!’ reads a neon sign on an anglerfish's lure), as Diesen delivers a gentle moral: ‘The ocean is wide,/ And the ocean is deep,/ But friends help friends—/ That's a promise we keep.’.” —Publishers Weekly

“An entertaining read-aloud and a nice lighthearted vehicle for dealing with fear.” —Kirkus Reviews

Mr. Fish heroically offers to find Ms. Clam's lost pearl, and as he ventures forth, gentle suspense ensues when he finds himself heading for deeper and darker waters. Young readers will enjoy the energetic and detailed cartoon-like illustrations of this friendly-yet-mysterious underwater world (the scenes deep in the ocean trench are particularly effective), while the rollicking, rhythmic text will have readers diving in with Mr. Fish as he repeatedly admits, "I'm FAST as a sailfish, I'm STRONG as a shark, I'm SMART as dolphin...But I'm scared of the dark." Fans of The Pout-Pout Fish (2008) will find just as much to love here, and any youngster who has been afraid of the dark will identify with Mr. Fish's struggle. Luckily, our hero has dedicated friends who help him deal with his anxiety, continue on his quest and keep his promise to Ms. Clam. The final notes of friendship and bravery will resonate with young readers. An entertaining read-aloud and a nice lighthearted vehicle for dealing with fear. (Picture book. 3-6)