Summer School of Fish

Cora Reef, Jake McDonald

• Publisher: Little Simon
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781665912105
• eBook ISBN: 9781665912129

Simon and Olive are best friends, and no one can get in the way…right? Find out in the fourth book in The Not-So-Tiny Tales of Simon Seahorse chapter book series. School's out for the summer and Simon Seahorse has already thought of a million exciting things to do. But then he learns he has to spend the first two weeks of his vacation back in school! The good thing is, his best friend, Olive Octopus, will be there too. But when Olive becomes buddies with Cam Crab, bonding over their love of facts, Simon begins to wonder where he and his stories fit in. Is Olive still his best friend, or has she had enough of his tall tales?With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Not-So-Tiny Tales of Simon Seahorse chapter books are perfect for emerging readers.

1 School’s Out!

“And that’s why the crystal jellyfish glows!” Simon Seahorse said.

The other students in the class cheered. Simon grinned as he swam back to his seat.

Simon had been excited to tell his classmates all about bioluminescent ocean creatures. He wished he could glow with electric light too! And he’d been extra excited about this report because it was the last one of the year.

“Nice job,” his best friend, Olive Octopus, whispered as Simon sat down next to her.

“Thanks,” Simon whispered back.

There was only one report to go. Then it would officially be Simon’s favorite time of year: summer vacation. Simon loved school, but there was nothing like the freedom of summer.

“Thank you, Simon,” Ms. Tuttle said. “Cam, it looks like you’re our final presenter.”

Simon squirmed in his seat as Cam Crab scuttled to the front of the room. Cam had a tendency to go a little overboard with his reports because he really loved facts. And he really loved showing everyone how much he knew about certain subjects.

“In my report I will be sharing dozens of fascinating facts about yeti crabs,” Cam began.

Simon sighed and tried to pay attention. But Cam’s report seemed even longer and duller than usual. Soon Simon’s mind started to drift. He imagined the fun things he’d do this summer: sleep in late and eat lots of kelp ice cream and hang out with Olive and—

Simon’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Cam’s voice. “And that is my final fact about yeti crabs, just one of the many amazing crab species in the ocean.” Then Cam took a bow and scurried back to his seat.

Simon clapped his fins in applause, relieved that the presentation was over.

“Thank you for your reports, everyone,” Ms. Tuttle said. “And thank you for a wonderful year. I can’t wait to see you again after summer break and hear about all the new and exciting things you did!”

The students started packing up their bags as Ms. Tuttle added, “Oh! And I will see a few of you in summer school very soon!”

Simon barely heard her. He was listening for the sound of the final school bell.

Brriing!

Everyone jumped out of their seats and started to swim outside.

“Come on, Olive!” Simon cried at the front of the crowd.

Olive laughed, grabbing her backpack. “I’m coming!”

The friends hurried out of the classroom and swam down toward the bottom level of the school. All the classes let out at the same time, so Simon watched as sea creatures of all ages hugged each other goodbye or chatted about summer plans.

Simon and Olive waved to their friends Nix and Lionel, who hopped into the current together. They’re probably headed to the Dunes, Simon thought happily. Lionel loved sliding down the sand dunes.

Ah, summer. It’s just the best!

2 The Summer of Trying New Things

As Simon waited for Olive to say good-bye to a blowfish from a different class, his m...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Chapter 1: School’s Out!
• Chapter 2: The Summer of Trying New Things
• Chapter 3: What School?
• Chapter 4: First-Day Blues
• Chapter 5: Best Friends Forever?
• Chapter 6: Sandy’s Candy Shop
• Chapter 7: All Alone
• Chapter 8: The Big Race
• Chapter 9: Taking a Chance
• Chapter 10: 3-2-1—GO!
• Simon’s Story
• ‘Into the Kelp Forest’ Teaser
• About the Author and Illustrator
• Copyright