tara recommends Paul Meets Bernadette by Rosy Lamb

Valentine's Day is just a few days away, thus it is time to pull out all the books that celebrate love, friendship and family.  Traditional holiday books are a must for the season, but sometimes it is fun to look outside the box and read something a little bit different.

This year, one of my favorite books that beautifully captures that spirit of love is Paul Meets Bernadette by Rosy Lamb.

First, meet Paul.  He is perfectly happy, all alone in his fish bowl, spending his days swimming in circles.  He doesn't know anything else and the inside of his bowl is his entire world - until Bernadette drops in.  Bernadette is not content to swim in circles all day, she likes to explore the outside world.  She is a fish who knows things and she teaches Paul all about what he has been missing (even though she is charmingly inaccurate in her identifications).  As Bernadette points out each new discovery, Paul looks more closely at Bernadette - and likes what he sees.

Thick oil illustrations add texture and interest to every page, as each picture pulls you into the fishbowl and you almost see the fish swim around in the water.  With each reading, you will discover new details and enjoy the images even more.  This is a perfect read-a-loud book for any age and a perfect way to celebrate good friends who make your world better.

Paul Meets Bernadette
by Rosy Lamb
published by Candlewick Press
December 2013