Fish Had a Wish

by Michael Garland

Overview

Fish has a wish. He wishes he were a bird so he could fly. He wishes he were a skunk so he could make a big stink. . . or a snake that says HISSSSSSSSS. But after enjoying a delicious mayfly snack, Fish realizes he's happy exactly as he is. The stunning artwork draws from Asian and classical European wildlife art, and is both elegant and bold. An I Like to Read (R) book. Guided Reading Level E.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823427574
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	01/01/2013
Series:	I Like to Read Series
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD330L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 6 Years

About the Author

Michael Garland has written and illustrated many books for children, including several bestsellers.  His titles include Fish Had a Wish, cited as one of the Top 25 Children's Books of the Year by Kirkus Reviews; Tugboat; and the I Like to Read® books Car Goes Far, Lost Dog, and Pizza Mouse. His work is frequently featured in the Society of Illustrators art show, and has won many honors.

Editorial Reviews

★ "From the beaver's coat to the tiger lily's petals to the snakeskin, this fish tale is a keeper."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
 
"This easy-reading offering on the rewards of being yourself is sure to make a splash with young nature lovers." —Booklist
 
"the animals will entice children to explore the images and will undoubtedly have them suggesting other creatures to add to Fish's wish list."—School Library Journal
 
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year

From the Publisher

Take a conventional story, add a new art technique--and voilà, a striking picture book is born. Fish has a wish to be some creature other than what he is: a bird, so he can fly high in the sky; a turtle, so he can nap on a sunny rock; a skunk, so he can make a big stink; or a bobcat, a bee, a beaver, a butterfly or a snake. But when a mayfly lands on the water, Fish eats it in one bite and declares: "That was so good!… I wish to stay a fish." Part of the publisher's I Like to Read series, the book's eye-catching artwork will fascinate young readers (and adults). The double-page spreads have wood-grain backgrounds that dramatically grab attention and appropriately evoke Fish's woodland pond environment. Some of the "digi-wood" illustrations are more invigorating than others, but all of them are captivating. Striations and hashes of color create patterns and textures. This technique is new for Garland, and he has cast his net with vigor and aplomb. From the beaver's coat to the tiger lily's petals to the snakeskin, this fish tale is a keeper. (Picture book/early reader. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews