About

High Fives at High Tide is a children’s book about friendship written by Jodie Eagleson and illustrated by Jen Pilles. It started out as a small personal project, but Jen and Jodie soon realized that it was too much fun to keep to themselves.

The story was inspired by Jodie’s fascination with the migratory habits of the albatross and her desire to read a story to her daughter that she had written herself. This is not to downplay the countless hours they have spent listening to Planet Earth (note: this is as effective as any lullaby), or the fact that they are always on the road, visiting friends and family.

Jen gave life to the Squid and the Albatross using watercolour and gouache. Each page is a separate painting that was created with painstaking love. You may find yourself being swept away by the Squid’s emotive expressions. You may notice your eyes go a little wide and you may hear yourself say “Holy heck, that’s cute” while reading to a toddler.