I Used to Be a Fish

From debut author-illustrator Tom Sullivan comes a surprising and innovative picture book that is both a light introduction to the science of evolution and a tribute to every child’s power to dream big.

In I Used to be a Fish, a boy is inspired by a pet fish and fueled by imagination to tell a whimsical version of his own life story, which mirrors the process of human evolution. Children—and adults—will love the Seussian absurdity of this tale.

The book features a timeline of life on earth and an author’s note, which includes important facts about evolution.

I used to be a fish.

But I didn’t like swimming anymore.

So I grew some legs.

Inspired by a pet fish and fueled by imagination, a boy tells a whimsical version of his own life story, which mirrors the process of human evolution. Simple, surprising, and innovative, Tom Sullivan’s debut is both a light introduction to science and a tribute to every child’s power to transform their lives and to dream big.

“With a smart sense of humor and a creative sense of wonder, younger readers are introduced to the cool parts of evolution.” - Horn Book (starred review)

“Sullivan’s vignettes have a laid-back earnestness…boldly outlined and employing only three colors-bright red, vivid cerulean, and crisp white. An afterword respectfully delves deeper into the science of it all, but irreverence rules the day, and Sullivan proves that, in this regard, he’s a highly evolved talent.” - Publishers Weekly