Fish Had A Wish

Garland, Michael  Fish Had A Wish         

 Holiday House     2012  unp $14.95 

978-0-8234-2394-1       elem   VG     I Like to Read series        

Part of the I Like to Read series, this picture book uses controlled vocabulary to create an engaging story for young readers.  Wood-grain-like illustrations evoke the atmosphere of the pond and the creatures who live nearby.  On each two-page spread, Fish swims around in the pond, fantasizing about what he could do if he were a bird, a turtle, a beaver, a skunk, a bobcat, etcetera.  In the end, a mayfly lands on the pond, and after eating it, Fish decides that he wants to remain a fish.  The message, that of being happy with oneself, is presented in a fun and attractively illustrated way.  Pair this with It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler.  It can also be a springboard for numerous language and art activities: for example, students articulating what animals they would like to be and why, students drawing the animals they would like to be, or students illustrating a "book" about each student’s animal “wishes.”  This is a delightful book that will find a useful place in preschool through first grade curricula.         

VG    Pat Naismith      Wishes, Self-realization, Easy readers