The Boy and the Parrotfish

Kai lives on a small island surrounded by a sparkling ocean, and the reef is his favourite place to explore. He knows its coral tunnels, sandy patches and swaying seaweed, and he wonders what his own role in this busy underwater neighbourhood might be. His Uncle Sol, a kind fisherman, tells him that everyone on the reef has a job to do.

One sunny morning Kai meets Pearl, a parrotfish with bright turquoise and pink colours and a small orange beak. Pearl shows him how she scrapes algae from the coral so it can breathe and grow, puffing out little clouds of white sand as she feeds. Kai is amazed to learn where the beach he plays on comes from, and he hurries to share the discovery with his friend Marina. This gentle tale by Çınar BİBER introduces young readers to how a coral reef works and can be read on Masalcı Baba.