Sunday, August 29, 2010

Book Review - Hooray For Fish


Author/Illustrator: Lucy Cousins
Publisher: Candlewick Press (May 10, 2005)
Age: Baby to Preschooler
Source: Library
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Description from GoodReads:

Paddle along with Little Fish on a mesmerizing underwater tour of friends spotty and stripy, happy and gripy, hairy and scary, even curly whirly and twisty twirly. From the creator of Maisy comes an eyepopping picture book that is sure to have little ones joining the chorus: Hooray for fish!

Normally, when I do a first read of a picture book, it isn't for an audience. However, I was with my nieces at the library and the 4 year old brought this one over to me. Clearly with the intention that I would be reading it aloud. Of course, the private reading for 1 turned into a group read. However, it was nice to see how 3 & 4 year olds responded to Hooray For Fish! and not have to predict.

Cousins, author of the popular Maisy the Mouse books, gets this audience. Bright, bold fish in a variety of shapes and sizes cover the pages. One, "ele-fish", even looks like a gray and white elephant. There is another page with three fish and each fish has a number integrated into their design. As I was reading the book, I realized that I could read it two or three times and focus on a different aspect (i.e., colors, numbers, shapes, sizes, etc.) without repeating myself. The text works in conjunction with the pictures to engage young listeners through a rhythmic pattern but also to highlight the various concepts being introduced.

In the end, our little fish who has been leading us through the waters of the book is reunited with his mommy in a very touching, kissy-kissy moment that thrilled my young audience.

This is a fun book that would be a nice addition to any sea/ocean unit in a preschool curriculum.

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I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~