Wishy Fish
By: Csilla Köszeghy
Publisher: Weeskinders, Hungary, 2025
Format: Hardback, panorama
A small pebble and a colorful adventure
A grey boy wanders through a grey wood. He looks as sad as the color scheme. Out of nowhere, a bright, blue puddle appears. The boy, still sad, kicks a pebble into the water and magic happens: He finds a friend! A brightly colored magical fish leads the boy - and the reader - into an adventure that is bursting with color, imagination and joy.
The publisher, Weeskinders, has very wisely published this book in a panoramic format. It is a perfect choice, as it makes the readers feel they are placed directly into the scenery. The unexpected shift of perspective also mirrors the book's theme of suprise and wonder. The large size ( the book is 34.5 cm long) book, has created extra space for the author to make fun and interesting intravisual references. These are from silent movies, which for the adult reader is both recognizable and fun because this is a ...well, silent book! For the children, they add excitement and wonder: who are these strange-looking people, and what is their place in the story?
Köszeghy masterfully combines bright colors and large surfaces combined with the detailed charcoal pencil drawings in a way that makes the two compliment each other. Wishy fish is a book with something to offer readers of all ages. The youngest children may not understand the references, but will still be attracted to bright colors, fun patterns and the friendly fish.
As with all great silent books Wish Fish has room for many stories: of imagination, of how small changes can make a big impact on our feelings and many more. The interplay between the boy and the fish is especially interesting. It reads as a delightful portrait of the childish joy of losing oneself in an imaginary world. We could all use a wishy fish on our gray days...
Köszeghy is a well-known Hungarian artist that has illustrated more than 30 books. Let's hope she has more silent books coming!
