{Book Review} Joi the Koi - by Devan Anthony & Gwen Clifford

First book in new series for children introduces Joi, a Japanese Koi fish, who learns patience and faith while living in a pet store awaiting someone special to buy her and take her home.
It isn’t easy being left behind while all your friends are picked, whether you’re choosing sides in a game or waiting to be purchased from a pet store, but the voice inside your head can help you have faith that this situation isn’t permanent. This voice can even help you take action that ultimately helps create a positive resolution. When a little boy bounces a ball directly into Joi’s glass tank and the glass shatters, she and her friends find themselves in peril. A half price sale on fish is just the ticket, and Teta the Betta, Chuppy the Guppy, and Sir Lumpkin the Shubunkin are quickly purchased, but no one seems interested in Joi. How she handles this delicate situation offers lessons for all those who find themselves waiting and wishing. Joi the Koi Gets a New Home includes an audio CD with sound effects narrated in both English and Spanish. Book two in the series, Joi the Koi Meets Matt the Cat, is due out in late 2012.

Author: Devon Anthony is a military veteran, singer, songwriter, musician, and wood carver as well as a poet and author. He now owns a landscaping business and designs and builds Koi ponds and water features, which began with the first one that he built in his own back yard. He has many Koi fish in his pond, including Joi, for whom the book was penned.

We read the book, Joi the Koi for story time, prior to heading to bed. My boys loved Joi the Koi especially because of the pictures, a story about a small mistake, and all of the great fish facts! My five year old counted the fish, as each fish left the store, and my youngest loved the many different fish with bright colors. This book teaches patience and to listen to your heart, both virtues that any child will need to learn as they grow. The book comes with an audio CD, and my youngest could  not wait to read along, and just for fun played the book in Spanish! The book ends with fish facts, and the boys have read and re-read those pages many times, as they love to learn about new creatures! This is a great book for early readers, and would be a great addition to any family library. My son can not wait to read the next book, about Joi the Koi Meets Matt the Cat, and gave Joi the Koi two thumbs up!
Joi the Koi is available at Amazon and major book sellers. More great titles can be found at Diamond DMT Publishing.

*I was not compensated for this review, but sent a copy of the hard cover book for my personal review.