This is picture book perfection—simple, smart, and surprisingly dark. Jon Klassen doesn't talk down to kids; he trusts them to understand that stealing has consequences and that sometimes narrators lie.

The genius is in the gap between text and illustration. The little fish insists he's safe while the pictures scream otherwise. Kids become detectives, spotting the big fish's open eye, tracking movement through the weeds, noticing who's watching. It's suspenseful, funny, and teaches visual literacy better than most books twice its length.

The ending will divide families. It's not shown, but it's clear the little fish doesn't make it. Some parents love the no-nonsense morality; others find it too dark for bedtime. But honestly? Most kids think it's hilarious and want to read it again immediately. It's been a decade and this book still hits.