Arlene sardine

Arlene Sardine follows a small fish with a peculiar goal: she wants to become a sardine in a can. The story traces each step of her path — she is caught, sorted, salted, smoked, and packed in oil, until her plan is realized.

The handwritten text moves with her thoughts, while Raschka’s clear, bright illustrations show Arlene and the sardine cans directly. The absurdity of her goal, combined with the precise presentation of each stage, creates a quietly tragicomic effect.

Text and image work together across the pages, giving rhythm and clarity to Arlene’s unusual journey, letting the events unfold without explanation or commentary.