Little Royal is a big fish in a small pond and all the other fish do his bidding. But when he takes his big attitude to other ponds, he learns a valuable lesson about humility and compassion, in this wise and witty picture book for kids ages 4-8.

I am the very big fish of my very little pond and when I demand: Me! Now! all of my very little fish bow down to me. They scrub my tail and blow bubbles on my scales. So, I chant, Long live myself!. Because I am the biggest and brightest most beautiful fish in the kingdom of Me.

Little Royal lords over his domain until he learns from a wandering frog that there are bigger ponds and more exotic creatures elsewhere. His heart propels him to leave his pond to explore them, fully expecting that he will be eminent ruler but what he encounters turns out to be humbling and uncomfortable, but ultimately very freeing. As Little Royals journey unfolds and his world expands, Manchegos skillful, nuanced watercolor illustrations change from pale and delicate to lush and luminous, speaking to the increasing complexity both of what Little Royal encounters and his conflicting emotions. The effect is profound and poignant.

Little Royal a Fish Tale,Chelo Manchego, Shambhala Publications, Hardcover, 35 pp, $16.95

Rebecca Hazell is an award-winning artist, author, and educator. She has published four nonfiction children's books and created best-selling educational filmstrips and educational craft kits for children. She is a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage, and she holds an honors BA from the University of California at Santa Cruz in Russian and Chinese history. Her books include The Barefoot Book of Heroic Children, Women Writers, and several self-published fantasy novels. Her website is rebeccahazell.com.