35+ Fabulous Fish Books for Preschoolers
By Lily | Published 26 June 2023 | This post may contain affiliate links.
Just like there is plenty of fish in the sea, there are plenty of books on fish for preschoolers out there!
For young anglers and nature enthusiasts, there's no better way to combine these passions than through captivating fishing books. Whether your child is a beginner or an experienced angler, the right book can transport them to exciting fishing adventures, teach valuable life lessons, and inspire a lifelong love of the sport.
In this article, we have compiled a list of the best fishing books for kids, ranging from picture books to chapter books, perfect for children of all ages. Let's dive into the world of fish-filled pages and reel in some fantastic reads!
“We are going to swim all together like the biggest fish in the sea!” - Swimmy, by Leo Lionni
Fish Books for Babies and Toddlers
Hooray for Fish
From the creator of Maisy comes an eyepopping picture book that is sure to have little ones joining the chorus: Hooray for fish! “I’m a nanny and I read this book all the time for the infant I watch. It was her favorite book. So when my first nephew was born, I knew I had to get a copy for him. It’s such a fun book!” - Amazon review by Jen-the-Nanny
Goodreads Rating: 4.09
Ages: 1 – 3 years
2. The Rainbow Fish
Rainbow Fish, "the most beautiful fish in the entire ocean," refuses to share his prized iridescent scales--which, indeed, flash and sparkle like prisms as each page is turned. When his greed leaves him without friends or admirers, the lonely fish seeks advice from the wise octopus, who counsels him to give away his beauty and "discover how to be happy. “This is a beautiful classic book and story for children. It's a keepsake! Every child should have this book by Marcus Pfister.” - Amazon review by Susan T.
Goodreads Rating: 4.20
Ages: 1 - 5 years
3. Hello World! Ocean Life
All young children love to play in the waves at the beach. Now here’s a Hello, World! board book that teaches them all about oceans and the creatures and plants that live there. “Another stunning book from this series, I can't praise it highly enough. My son loves this and the solar system one and has been a great way to learn fun facts about the watery world” - Amazon review by Shelby M.
Goodreads Rating: 4.11
Ages: 1 – 3 years
4. The Pout-Pout Fish
The first book in the New York Times bestselling Pout-Pout Fish series from Deborah Diesen and illustrator Dan Hanna! Bright ocean colors and playful rhyme come together in this fun puffer fish story that's sure to turn even the poutiest of frowns upside down. “Our daughter was obsessed with this book for months. We read it several times a day, every day. But then we lost it and she was so upset. We got her a replacement for Christmas now we read it all the time again.” - Amazon review by Jessica T.
Goodreads Rating: 4.34
Ages: 1 - 3 years
5. Hello, Ocean Friends
Using simple greetings like "Hi there, starfish" and "Hola, jellyfish" alongside black-and-white art by Julissa Mora, Hello, Ocean Friends is the perfect building block for babies just beginning to look around and learn about their world. “My daughter loves all these high-contrast books and I read them to her every day! No other books catch her eye like these. Definitely recommend.” - Amazon review by Morgan M.
Goodreads Rating: 4.05
Ages: Baby and up
6. Touch and Explore: The Ocean
ouch and Explore: The Ocean is a multisensory journey for children who want to do more than just listen! “Bought as my husband loves the ocean and wants to teach our daughter about it. It's such a lovely book. Beautiful pictures. Interesting facts and touchy-feely bits too.” - Amazon review by Louise
Ages: 1 - 3 years
7. You Are My Baby: Ocean
In a new title in this series of charming and inventive board books, readers will find a little book nestled inside a bigger one: Turn the pages to match the baby animals to their parents, and learn some early concepts along the way. “I purchased several of these books for my niece's baby shower.....they were a hit among all who attended. beautifully done.” - Amazon review by Carmen L.
Goodreads Rating: 3.68
Ages: Baby - 2 years
8. Big Fish Little Fish
Children will learn opposites in this playful book filled with bright, bold illustrations and sturdy board pages. Finger-holes that decrease in size with each turn of the page add to the fun! “Cute little book. Bought for my grandchild who is 18 months and he loves it. Durable and colorful.” - Amazon review by Carla J.
Goodreads Rating: 3.71
Ages: Baby - 2 years
9. In My Ocean
Turn the colorful die-cut pages of this interactive book - great for fine motor skills - to discover just what makes little dolphin's ocean so cozy. “My toddler loves turning the pages (they're easy to turn because of the shape of the hole in the center), and he loves playing with the little dolphin.” - Amazon review by Specialk
Goodreads Rating: 3.89
Ages: 1 - 3 years
10. Little Shark Finger Puppet Book
Little Shark features a permanently attached plush finger puppet and peek-a-boo holes on every page, giving parents and children a fun, interactive way to play and read together. “Compact, little, hard-paged book with plush shark finger puppet that pokes through the center hole in the book. This was much enjoyed by the young child that received it for Christmas. It was a good idea as a gift.” - Amazon review by SE
Goodreads Rating: 3.85
Ages: 1 - 2 years
11. The Whale in My Swimming Pool
“This book is adorable! My kids both love it...a little too much. I made the mistake of purchasing the hardcover version the first time around and my little one ripped a few pages. So I bought the board book this time around and they're happily flipping through it. The pictures are really cute and self-explanatory so even though they can't read yet, they know what's happening based on the pictures. ^_^” - Amazon review by CC
Goodreads Rating: 3.90
Ages: 1 - 3 years
12. Happy
Swim into Happy where the dazzling fish sparkle against the dark background and let the images spark laughter and empathy. In Happy, Mies shows all the emotions a young child encounters. “This book is great for discussing emotions. There are so many extension activities you could do with this book! The black background with the fish are beautiful to look at.” - Amazon review by Melissa D.
Goodreads Rating: 4.20
Ages: 1 – 4 years
13. Deep Deep Sea
A gorgeous chunky board book by award-winning author Frann Preston-Gannon featuring colors, counting, and a whole host of undersea animals. “We love this book! The bright colors seem to capture our little guy's attention, and the pages are thick and easy for him to turn. We also have her book Hot Dog Cold Dog, another of his favorites - we will definitely be buying more of her books!” - Amazon review by Becka01
Goodreads Rating: 3.59
Ages: 1 - 4 years
14. Mister Seahorse
This board book edition of Eric Carle's iconic Mister Seahorse dazzles with its brilliant colors and charming cast of characters. “What a beautiful book. Beautifully written, beautiful story, beautiful illustrations and me and my boys love shining the light through the coloured pages. This is one of their favorite books. Both my 2 and 4-year-old boys love it - so much fun.” - Amazon review by Kriss L.
Goodreads Rating: 4.06
Ages: 2 – 4 years
15. A Swim Through the Sea
An alphabetical tour of ocean animals. Praised by Jacques Cousteau, this book, illustrated and written by a 16-year-old is a classic introduction to the marine habitat. Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini once again successfully inspires a generation of children about one of our planet's most precious and fragile realms.
Goodreads Rating: 4.05
Ages: 1 – 4 years
2. Fish Books for Preschoolers
16. The Goodbye Book
Through the lens of a pet fish who has lost his companion, Todd Parr tells a moving and wholly accessible story about saying goodbye. Touching upon the host of emotions children experience, Todd reminds readers that it's okay not to know all the answers, and that someone will always be there to support them. An invaluable resource for life's toughest moments.
Goodreads Rating: 4.29
Ages: 2 –4 years
17. A Fish Out of Water
In this beloved classic easy reader, a young boy hilariously learns the consequences of not following instructions when he feeds too much to his goldfish—causing it to grow as big as a whale! “This book is a precious reminder of what children’s literature once was. Imaginative, sweet, and original. My 2-year old, my 12-year-old love it, and I, myself, love this fun story!” - Amazon review by kdp
Goodreads Rating: 4.23
Ages: 2 – 6 years
18. Swimmy
Winner of the 1964 Caldecott Honor, this beloved tale of a brave little fish has been a favorite to generations of readers. “Love love love Leo Lionni. The illustrations in his books are just beautiful. Swimmy is a particular favorite, the lessons of strength in numbers, that sadness can be overcome and the world is a beautiful place. Such a perfect story.” - Amazon review by Shiner
Goodreads Rating: 4.14
Ages: 2 - 6 years
19. One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
Five fish-shaped beads that move across the top of this sturdy board book allow toddlers to count along as they this adorable book based on the classic Beginner Book One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish! “One of our favorites from our Dr. Seuss collection. It's lots of different poems, which don't actually relate to one another but it makes it fun to read. Great characters. My daughter (3) knows it by heart!” - Amazon review by Daniela V.
Goodreads Rating: 4.17
Ages: 1 - 5 years
20. Commotion in the Ocean
This delightful collection of poems includes fun rhymes about the creatures who live in and around the ocean. Children will delight in the snappy poems and colorful illustrations about whales, walruses, penguins, polar bears, stingrays, and sharks. “There are a lot of kids books out there and most of them are torture. But this was so cute and my toddler has already learned all the animals in the book. We read it daily now.” - Amazon review by Bekah
Goodreads Rating: 3.96
Ages: 2 - 4 years
21. DogFish
Everyone has a dog. Except for one little boy. He has a goldfish. He needs a dog. But goldfish can't catch sticks or go for walks or wag their tails... Can they? “We first heard this book read on the CBeebies Bedtime stories and my kids fell in love with it. Had to buy it, very clever and the kids constantly request it to be read at bedtime. The kid’s favorite lines of the story are "She always says things like that . . " and "These are our sad looks." - Amazon review by Julie V.
Goodreads Rating: 4.06
Ages: 3 - 6 years
22. This is Not My Hat
The 2013 Caldecott Medal winner and a popular children’s book! From the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling and award-winning I Want My Hat Back comes a second wry tale. “Such a dinky, sturdy little book, very tongue in cheek yet thought-provoking. Not as simple as it first appears. Beautifully made and illustrated, a real joy to own and share. Love it.” - Amazon review by Eoz
Goodreads Rating: 4.21
Ages: 2 - 6 years
23. Poor Doreen, A Fishy Tale
“Once again, Sally Lloyd-Jones, has created a winner! She has this beautiful and creative mind (a gift from God) to connect with children with all of her books! "Poor Doreen: A Fishy Tale" is full of adventure. Our three-year-old grandson hides his eyes when Doreen unknowingly finds herself caught by characters intending to eat her, but he thought it was very funny when Doreen made every danger into a positive and fun part of her adventure. It's such a cute book! I highly recommend it!! My daughter and I loved reading it too!!” - Amazon review by Bootmom
Goodreads Rating: 3.60
Ages: 4 - 8 years
24. Papa’s Mechanical Fish
This picture book is a fictional account based on events in the life of an eccentric inventor as told from the perspective of his daughter. “There are not that many kids books about submarines, but this is a great one that my kids love . The illustrations are engaging, each time we read it they find new things to point out. The story teaches them about trial and error and how to deal with setbacks. Even though we've read it approximately 1,000 times, we all still enjoy it very much.” - Amazon review by Dee
Goodreads Rating: 3.91
Ages: 4 - 8 years
25. To The Sea
Sometimes Tim feels invisible at school—until one day when Tim meets Sam. But Sam isn't just any new friend: he's a blue whale, and he can't find his way home! “This book is a sweet story of what it means to be a good friend. We read it all the time and bedtime and my daughter adores it.” - Amazon review by Cara
Goodreads Rating: 4.13
Ages: 4 - 8 years
26. The Blue Whale
A nonfiction picture book, The Blue Whale draws children into the life and world of this enormous whale by situating facts within a familiar context that is fun and engaging. With an accurate and engaging text, fully vetted by a blue whale expert, and lyrically lovely illustrations, The Blue Whale is a book that invites children in and holds their attention. Its tempo is like a pleasing melody, which means that the information never becomes too weighty or exhausting―a key thing when it comes to young readers and their enjoyment of a book!
Goodreads Rating: 4.27
Ages: 4 - 8 years
27. Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea
“Has a wonderful flow to it and I love how it shows the fun of using your imagination. My five-year-old remembered it from a story time at Barnes and noble two months ago!“ - Amazon review by T.J.O.
Goodreads Rating: 3.88
Ages: 2 - 5 years
28. The Lost Narwhal
Somewhere in his travels, Mel the narwhal has made a wrong turn and ended up thousands of miles from home! Luckily, he's adopted by a pod of beluga whales who treat Mel as if he were one of their own. Inspired by actual events, The Lost Narwhal is a story about embracing your uniqueness and learning what it means to feel accepted.
Goodreads Rating: 4.29
Ages: 3 – 7 years
29. The Yellow Kayak
A child and his beloved best friend go on a grand sea adventure in this magical picture book by the author and artist who created If I Had a Little Dream. “My son & I love this author. The illustrations and words are magical.” - Amazon review by Amie B.
Amazon Review: Edtior’s Pick
Ages: 3 - 5 years
30. The Fisherman & the Whale
A fisherman takes his son for a trip out on the water. When they encounter a whale entangled at sea, they realize a connection that transcends the animal kingdom. “This book is best enjoyed with a child on your lap.” - Amazon review by C. Keith
Goodreads Rating: 4.13
Ages: 4 – 8 years
31. Charlie’s Boat
Best friends really are the best when they use their imaginations to help each other. “We enjoyed reading Charlie's Boat. Colton loved "Fishin!" and shouted, "Go, go, go!" to the boats. The illustrations are so sweet! [Review from Colton and Nana]” - Amazon review by JTP
Goodreads Rating: 3.59
Ages: 3 – 5 years
32. Fish
A boy and his dog embark on a seemingly average fishing trip. Their first catch of the day: a big fat letter F. Their second? A slippery I. After an epic journey beneath the lake's surface, they find what they came for-- a FISH, along with some unanticipated menace from a few other letters.
Goodreads Rating: 3.46
Ages: 5 - 8 years
3. Non-Fiction Books on Fishes and Marine Life
33. Do You Know? Oceans and Marine Life
Young readers can dive right in and explore the sea of information included in Oceans and Marine Life. The Do You Know?™ series are great books that provide an in-depth look at a wide range of popular subjects. Appealing to children who want to know everything, these favorite ocean books are a fun way for kids of all ages to learn!
Goodreads Rating: 4.33
Ages: 5 – 8 years
34. Alba and the Ocean Cleanup
Alba and the Ocean Cleanup is a beautiful book with watercolor illustrations about what we can do to save this important ecosystem. “This book is sooo good! The story! The illustrations! The early learning! Everything is wonderful. We got to read along with our 3 yo! She was drawn to the ocean theme right away and it’s been read so many times.” - Amazon review by B. Colerick
Goodreads Rating: 4.05
Ages: 3 - 7 years
35. Earth’s Incredible Oceans
Swim with jellyfish, wonder at the busy life of a seagrass meadow, and fence with narwhals in this lovingly illustrated children’s book. Take kids on a fascinating underwater journey, showing them just how amazing oceans are, what plants and animals live in them, and how we can help them.
Goodreads Rating: 4.56
Ages: 7 - 9 years
36. Life Earth Ocean
This fascinating fact-filled book is the perfect introduction to life on the ocean floor. Embark on an epic journey in the watery world looking for different sea creatures beneath the waves, learn what shells are for, find out which sea creatures are the most dangerous, and take a closer look at a coral reef. “My kids love this book and we are learning so much from it! It came at the right time as well as one is learning about animals and the ocean in school. Big thumbs up.” - Amazon review by Stephen
Goodreads Rating: 4.47
Ages: 5 – 8 years
37. Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist
This is the story of a woman who dared to dive, defy, discover, and inspire. This is the story of Shark Lady by Jess Keating. One of the best science picture books for children, Shark Lady is a must for both teachers and parents alike! "Such a good book for my little girl. The illustrations are great in the content is solid. It's also a very well-written book and easy to read." - Amazon review by BAB
Goodreads Rating: 4.45
Ages: 3 – 8 years
So, if you're looking for the perfect book to read at the beach, lakeside, or at bedtime, be sure to check out this list of the best fish books for kids! Whether you have a new reader or a more experienced one, this book lists of favorite fish books will provide your child with hours of reading fun!
Check out your local library or bookstore for a great addition to your special storytime!