Fish Pals

The first five books in the “Pet Pals” series dealt with four-legged pets, namely dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters. In these additions to the series, some of the pets are quadrupeds, but others fly, swim and slither.

Like the earlier books, the content of these five books in the “Pet Pals” series is intended to serve as pre-purchase/pre-adoption advice to those considering adding a pet to their homes.

The books’ highly illustrated contents consist of 12 two-page chapters, a 10 question quiz, a “Learning More” page which directs readers to related books and websites, and a closing page that is shared between an index and a glossary of words highlighted in the text. The three pages that are given over to the quiz and its answers could have been much more profitably utilized.

The opening chapter, “Your [name of animal] From Head To Tail”, provides a large full-colour photo of the book’s focal pet. The important parts of the pet are labelled and described.

The following chapter provides a general overview of the various breeds of each book’s pet and describes their “personalities”. Called “Best Fish for Beginners” in Fish Pals, this chapter identifies nine species of fresh water fish and provides brief information about each. For example:

Swordtails are named after the male’s sword-like tail. The best combination is a male and two or more females. They produce the young, but many babies get eaten, often by their own parents.

Young readers may be surprised to read that Jacobs does not recommend the common goldfish. “Common goldfish are popular pets, but they belong in ponds because they can grow up to 16 inches (40 cm) and live for more than 25 years.”

Whereas the third chapter in most of the other books in the “Pet Pals” series is called “Find Your Perfect Pet”, in Fish Pals the focus is on “Choosing a Home for Your Fish”, i.e., the tank in which the fish will be housed. Jacobs briefly addresses such concerns as deciding upon a coldwater or a heated water tank, the tank’s size and its placement.

Subsequent chapters provide practical advice on the housing, feeding, and daily care of the series’ animals as well as their safety and health issues. Tips on the typical behaviour of the animals in the series will assist their owners in better responding to the animals’ needs. A particularly valuable chapter in Fish Pals is “Stocking Your Aquarium” that provides two charts, one listing which fish can be kept in a coldwater tank while the other chart indicates which survive in a heated tank. Additionally, both charts indicate which fish make best tank mates with each other. “Understanding Your Fish” is another useful chapter wherein fish owners are given guidance on how to “read” their pets’ behaviors, such as understanding what fish hanging around the surface of the water in the tank might mean.

The series’ text is broken up into bite-sized boxes complemented by numerous full-colour, engaging photographs. Information-wise, overall, the books in the “Pet Pals” series are excellent. Filled with practical advice and providing important knowledge, one or more of the books should be required reading by any child (and her/his parents) who are considering adding a pet to their family.