Sometimes when you’re upset, the best thing to do is walk away and take a time-out. That’s exactly what Cody does when he is angry with his mommy and daddy. Sitting beneath an old tree, he begins to dream of flying above the clouds and being free. When a buzzing bumblebee asks Cody if he would like to change places, the boy has no idea what’s in store. When he closes his eyes and wishes with all of his might, he instantly turns into a fish. Now, living as a small bright yellow fish alone in the big blue sea, Cody is surprised by the huge change of scenery. He meets a mermaid, and they hatch a plan for getting him out of the ocean and safely back home, but not until after meeting an octopus, a whale, a crab, jellyfish, and a lobster named Lucy. Swimming deep through dark waters past urchins, swordfish, shark, and eel, the mermaid finally bids the child adieu, after such confusing and watery adventures.
Through colorful and inviting pages of meeting creatures large and small underneath the sea, Cody learns that many marine animals would see his fish persona as their food, which teaches readers about the food chain. This large unknown place under the ocean is also a bit scary, contrasting sharply with his safety at home. This book helps children see life from a different perspective and to learn the value of all living creatures. When he passes through the foam and becomes himself once again (waking up from his daydream under the willow tree), little Cody knows for sure there is no other place that he would ever want to be than back at home with his family, which is also a great lesson in learning to appreciate what one has.