Title: Zain & Ana: At Least a Fish (Zain & Ana series)
Author: Anushka Ravishankar
Illustrator: Shilo Shiv Suleman
Publisher: Scholastic India
Format: Paperback
Length: 104 pages
Age Group: 7-10 years (Independent Readers) | A delightful read-aloud for younger children too.
If you’re looking for a book that will leave both you and your child laughing out loud, At Least a Fish is exactly what you need. The Zain & Ana series is packed with fun, and this instalment completely won me over. I always assumed children’s comedy books were meant only for children, but this one proved me wrong. The humour is simple, clever and wonderfully understated, making it just as entertaining for adults. It’s one of those rare books that the whole family can genuinely enjoy together.
The story follows the endlessly curious (and wonderfully mischievous twins) Zain and Ana. Ana desperately wants a pet dog, but instead her parents bring home… three fish! To Ana, this is a complete disappointment. Fish don’t wag their tails, fetch sticks, bark or cuddle—so what fun can they possibly be?
Determined to make the best of the situation, the children name their fish Aristotle, Socrates and Plato—“the three philosophers”—which had me smiling right away. Convinced that ordinary fish food simply isn’t enough, they decide to collect fresh weeds from a nearby abandoned pond.
Now this isn’t just any pond.
Once a lively swimming spot, it has long been deserted after rumours spread about a child mysteriously disappearing there. Overgrown bushes, strange noises and an unpleasant smell make the place deliciously spooky. The children nervously venture closer, only for poor Zain to slip and fall into the pond! Already frightened, they notice a huge ripple in the water and immediately arrive at the most logical conclusion any child would…
There’s a dragon living in the pond!
And just like that, a brand-new legend is born.
From there, the story races from one hilarious misunderstanding to another. Between worried parents, two adorably nosy twins, Zain’s sensible older sister Sameera, and one mishap after another, the laughs just keep coming. My daughter was literally rolling on the bed laughing while we read it together.
Just when Ana decides she’s had enough of fish, she secretly writes to an adoption centre asking for a pet dog. Enter Buddhu—possibly my favourite character in the entire book! He’s delightfully odd, endlessly lovable and responsible for some of the funniest moments in the story. Watching Ana’s dream of owning a dog unfold is another joyous roller-coaster ride.
Running alongside all this fun is the mystery of the “dragon” in the pond. The twins are convinced it’s a protective dragon spirit, while Sameera refuses to believe dragons even exist. But if there isn’t a dragon… what is creating those enormous ripples in the still water?
The answer, when it finally comes, is every bit as delightful as the journey itself.
The illustrations by Shilo Shiv Suleman deserve a special mention. Though rendered in black and white, they’re wonderfully expressive and perfectly capture the humour and energy of the story. Every illustration adds charm, brings the characters to life and makes the funny moments even more enjoyable.
The language is simple, engaging and perfect for young independent readers. The chapters are short, the plot is easy to follow and the comedy lands beautifully without ever feeling forced. It also makes an excellent bedtime read.
I usually avoid comedy books for read-alouds because I always felt that humour doesn’t translate as well when someone else is reading. At Least a Fish completely changed my mind. Read it with dramatic expressions and different voices, and I guarantee there will be plenty of giggles. In fact, I think it’s one of those books that’s even more fun when shared.
If you’re looking for a warm, light-hearted story filled with childhood imagination, lovable characters, gentle mystery and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, At Least a Fish is a wonderful pick. It’s the kind of book that leaves everyone smiling long after the last page.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A charming, laugh-out-loud adventure that celebrates childhood imagination and reminds us that sometimes the most ordinary things can lead to the most extraordinary stories. 📚🐟
There are other books in the Zain & Ana series. The author, Anushka Ravishankar has written many books and they can be found here on Amazon. Her Moin and the Monster series is a huge favourite with kbc childoos.
If you enjoyed this hilarious review and wish to be a part of the pond adventure, you should order the book from Scholastic India (kbc affiliate link). Please type the name of the book in the search bar after clicking HERE.
Should you wish to order this book from Amazon (kbc affiliate link),
CLICK & BUY NOW!Disclaimer: Sindhuja and her daughter are a part of the #kbcReviewerSquad and received this book as a review copy from the publisher via kbc.
