Pablo, who is Latinx, loves his red fish, Ruby, and is happy to find a book at his school library about a fish who wants to fly and is eager to read the book to his fish. But when he goes home, Ruby isn’t her usual swimmy self, and the next morning she’s not moving at all. Pablo’s parents break the news to him that Ruby has died. He’s sad at school, and his friends try to comfort him with good memories of Ruby. Later, his dad takes him to a plant store to buy a small tree with red leaves to plant over Ruby’s grave. After a small memorial service, Pablo pulls out his library book and reads it aloud next to Ruby’s grave. This surprisingly moving easy-to-read book acknowledges the weight of a loss when a pet dies, regardless of species, by aptly capturing the child’s feelings throughout. (Ages 5-7)

CCBC Choice
Best Children's Books of the Year 2022

In this early chapter book in the popular Confetti Kids series, Pablo learns to deal with the loss of his much-loved pet fish.

Five friends from diverse backgrounds learn how to navigate common childhood challenges, new experiences, and the world around them in the realistic and kid-friendly Confetti Kids early chapter books. Pablo is sad when he discovers his pet fish Ruby has died. While he misses her and has to cope with the loss, luckily, he's not alone. Pablo's friends and family are there to comfort him and help him remember all the good times he had with Ruby. In the end, Pablo realizes that the things we love never really leave us.