Little Simbi feels like he’s the only bright red fish in the deep blue sea. So one day, he sets out on a journey to try to find other fish who look like him. The reader follows Simbi through oceans both cold and warm—sometimes he’s frightened and sometimes he’s excited. But no matter what, he never lets go of the hope that one day soon, he will discover a little, red playmate and find true happiness!

In The Red Fish, Rúna (Sigrún Guðjónsdóttir) effortlessly intertwines playful text and vivid pictures to tell a delightful and exciting story that has stood the test of time. The Red Fish was first published in 1972 and later republished with the current illustrations in 1985. This new edition introduces young readers to a classic gem of Icelandic children’s literature and is sure to enchant readers for generations to come.

The Red Fish

Over the course of an artistic career that has spanned illustration and graphic design, painting, ceramics, and large-scale murals, Rúna has received numerous awards and distinctions. These include the Order of the Falcon, Iceland’s highest honour, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Iceland Design and Architecture.