Goodbye, Koi
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection
A Canadian Independent Booksellers Association (CIBA) Best Kids’ Books of 2026
A tender and visually stunning picture book about change, family, and saying goodbye.
As a young boy prepares with his family to leave their home ― and the koi fish he’s always cared for ― his world fills with questions. What will happen to his fish? Will they be safe and happy in their new home? Through his wonder and worry, readers glimpse the universal feelings that come with any life transition: curiosity, uncertainty, and the hope that we will be okay.
Lushly illustrated in the tradition of Chinese brush painting, Goodbye, Koi will resonate with any reader who has ever had to say goodbye to a pet, a place, or a way of life.
Released: September 15, 2026 from Orchard Books (Scholastic)
Praise for Goodbye, Koi (6 starred reviews!):
★ “[A]n affecting tale… focused on the child’s inner world”
— Starred review from Publisher’s Weekly
★ “As Wong’s empathetic text echoes his protagonist’s caring ponderances, his gorgeous illustrations cleverly capture a different intertwined narrative… A brilliant, sensitively wrought tale of potentially overwhelming change made manageable.”
— Starred review from Kirkus Reviews
★ “This quiet stunner of a story centers a child's perspective about an important transition. A first purchase for all collections.”
— Starred review from School Library Journal
★ “[S]trikingly stylistic art… vibrant spreads with rich textures, intense contrast in shadows and highlights, and dreamy visions of the koi in the boy's imagination.”
— Starred review from Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
★ “[S]oft illustrations, inspired by traditional Chinese brush painting, create a peaceful atmosphere that perfectly complements the story’s emotional depth.”
— Starred review from Chicago Book Review
★ “Children facing their own new experiences will appreciate this loving tribute to familial bonds and connection.”
— Starred review from Horn Book Magazine
