Fish Had a Wish

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Overview

Fish has a wish. He wishes he were a bird so he could fly. He wishes he were a skunk and made 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, which is executed with a unique digi-wood technique, draws from Asian and classical European wildlife art and is both elegant and bold.

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More About This Book

Overview

Fish has a wish. He wishes he were a bird so he could fly. He wishes he were a skunk and made 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, which is executed with a unique digi-wood technique, draws from Asian and classical European wildlife art and is both elegant and bold.

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Editorial Reviews

Children's Literature - Judy Crowder
Do you remember the magical time when you were first handed a book you could read, all by yourself? First readers, if they include a good story line and appealing illustrations, can be the start of a lifetime of reading, Fish Had a Wish, part of the "I Like to Read" series, is just that. Fish has a big imagination. What if he could be another animal? A bee, with wings to flit from flower to flower? A butterfly, with even more beautiful, colorful wings? Wouldn't it be wonderful to be a turtle that could bask in the warm sun without drying out? Imagine being a big, furry bobcat with spots, or an equally furry beaver, who can cut into tree trunks with their strong teeth and build dams? Of course, being another animal can have its disadvantages: if Fish were a skunk, he would stink! On the other hand, if Fish were a snake, he could hiss, warning passersby that he is nearby. In the midst of all this wishing, a mayfly flies over, landing on the water's surface. Chomp! Fish eats the mayfly and with one swallow, realizes that being a fish is pretty fine. Garland has written a charming and spare flight-of-fancy for new readers, and his warm, colorful drawings are a joy to look at again and again. Well-recommended! Reviewer: Judy Crowder
School Library Journal
PreS-K—While swimming around the lily-pad-strewn waters, Fish, observing his fellow creatures, begins to wish. If he were a bird, he could fly high in the sky; if a turtle, he could nap on a sunny rock; if a bee, he could buzz from flower to flower; and if a beaver, he could build a big dam. But then a mayfly drifts by and, after enjoying a great big bite, Fish realizes it's good to be a fish after all. The book's theme, being satisfied with one's own self, has been explored in many guises, but Garland lends his own eye-catching touch with images created, according to the copyright page, in "digi-wood," giving the creatures a distinctive glow. Positioned front and center on the spreads, the animals will entice children to explore the images and will undoubtedly have them suggesting other creatures to add to Fish's wish list.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA
Kirkus Reviews
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)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780823423941
  • Publisher: Holiday House, Inc.
  • Publication date: 2/1/2012
  • Pages: 24
  • Sales rank: 464,044
  • Age range: 4 - 6 Years
  • Product dimensions: 9.40 (w) x 9.10 (h) x 0.40 (d)

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