The Goldfish Went on Vacation: A Memoir of Loss (and Learning to Tell the Truth about It)

Average customer rating:

Now, we are two

The Goldfish Went on Vacation: A Memoir of Loss

little disappointed

the goldfish went on vacation

Useful, insightful information for parents on teaching children about death and dying

The Goldfish Went on Vacation: A Memoir of Loss (and Learning to Tell the Truth about It)
Patty Dann
Manufacturer: Trumpeter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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Without a Map: A Memoir

ASIN: 1590304284
Release Date: 2007-01-09

Book Description

The moment when Patty Dann’s husband was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, she felt as though the ground had dropped out beneath her. Her grief, however, was immediately interrupted by the realization that she would have to tell their three-year-old son, Jake, that his father was dying. The prognosis gave her husband just a year to live. In that short time, the three of them—Patty, Willem, and Jake—would have to find a way to live with the illness and prepare for his death.

Written with disarming honesty, courage, and humor, Patty weaves together a series of vignettes that chart her and Jake’s eventual acceptance of their new family—through coping with the daily challenges, the sorrow, and the uncertainty, as well as embracing the surprising moments of beauty and acceptance. As much about exploring memory as it is about appreciating the moment, this captivating narrative will serve as a genuine comfort to anyone surprised by grief.

Customer Reviews:

Now, we are two.......2007-06-14

In a support group for families dealing with a terminally ill member, a woman reveals that she had to flush her son's goldfish, but couldn't bear to tell him the truth about it, so her story because that "the goldfish went on vacation."

For author Patty Dann and her preschool son Jake, as dad Willem dies of a brain tumor, "now, we are two."

It's only natural that prolific essayist and writing workshop instructor Patty Dann would publish a book on the topic of loss when she was widowed after less than a decade of marriage. The author observes that with a 3-year-old just out of a stroller, and a husband with a degenerative brain tumor, she may soon be pushing two children around. The short, delicate chapters are peppered with poignant insights and frank discussions about death, but the worth as a whole strives too hard to be "that perfect pocket book for giving to a friend coping with loss."

I personally looked for just such a book when my best friend gave birth to a baby girl doctors predicted would live less than three years. I might have been tempted by this title had it been out, but with four years of maturity (and a still relatively stable, growing four-year-old child for my best friend), I would never select such an unremarkable, silly book to attempt to comfort a friend.

Dann does deal with a unique aspect of loss--she has a year to adjust to becoming a widow and a single parent, as she watches her husband lose his mental and physical faculties. Her ideas, like having family members write letters to her son to be opened in a decade, on his thirteenth birthday, help remind the reader how much we need to celebrate and cherish those around us every day. As a whole, though, the essays add up to little more than a cute book with a fish on the cover. For hard-hitting personal soul-searching about the death of a spouse and father, I would recommend Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking.

The Goldfish Went on Vacation: A Memoir of Loss.......2007-04-05

Excellent read. Couldn't put it down. Subject close to my heart. In reading this book, at times you felt what the author was feeling. Again, it was an excellent book. I may even read it again to see if I missed anything.

little disappointed.......2007-04-02

When I purchased this book I assumed it would be more telling about how her husband's disease affected their lives, how he handled things, along with doctors diagnosis, thoughts and suggestions. This book was more about the wife and her past memories of her life. I didn't care for it.

the goldfish went on vacation.......2007-03-22

this is a wonderful book which I enjoyed reading. The chapters were very short and the book was so easy to read.
You forget the book is true and sometimes you laugh and sometimes you cry.

Useful, insightful information for parents on teaching children about death and dying .......2007-02-15

Patty Dann's memoir, which could be described as a short collection of extremely short stories (the longest spans just four pages) about life and death, is part self-help for those trying to assist a child in coping with the terminal illness or death of a loved-one; part personal history - childhood, adulthood, courtship, marriage, motherhood, (her husband's) illness, widowhood; and part death-related memories of others and excerpts from her students' written stories. The writing is clean, correct, and except for a handful of great sentences and phrases, unremarkable. Because of the nontraditional, seemingly unintuitive way she chooses to allow her three-year-old son, Jake, to be made aware of the facts concerning his father's terminal illness and imminent death, he seems to understand and deal with the situation better than might be expected. Both the author and the "Child Development/Child Life Specialist" who counseled her son, provide useful, insightful information about helping children appropriately handle issues related to death and dying.

Kingyo: The Artistry of Japanese Goldfish

Average customer rating:

Not about Sushi....
Beautiful photos and art
A Veiw of History & Now.
Beautiful pictures
A visual riot of goldfish

Kingyo: The Artistry of Japanese Goldfish
Kanoko Okamoto , Kazuya Takaoka , Sachiko Kuru , and J. Keith Vincent
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Themes | History & Criticism | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 4770023030

Book Description

DISCOVER THE CULT OF THE GOLDFISH THROUGH JAPANESE ART, DESIGN AND LITERATURE

Goldfish were originally brought to Japan from China in 1502, to be raised exclusively by aristocrats as highly prized pets. In the 1800s, however, they became popular among the general public, and ultimately a unique culture of breeders, collectors, and connoisseurs came into being. Packed with
photographs, Kingyo: The Artistry of Japanese Goldfish offers a delightful visual tour of goldfish in Japanese art and design, together with a description of the goldfish breeds that have developed in Japan over hundreds of years of meticulous cultivation.

Included in the volume is a novella written in the 1930s titled A Riot of Goldfish which tells of the impossible love of a breeder's son for the daughter of a wealthy patron. As his love grows into an obsession, he attempts to create a goldfish that will capture and reflect her beauty. The story
charmingly evokes life in Japan in the early twentieth century and sheds light on the aesthetics of goldfish appreciation.

The stunning visual materials presented here reveal the vast iconography of goldfish in the graphic and decorative arts of Japan, extending to textiles, ceramics, paintings, lacquer ware, toys, and even household items. This book will be an inspiration for designers, collectors, and anyone
interested in Japanese art.

Customer Reviews:

Not about Sushi...........2007-05-26

I have been a lover of goldfish since early childhood...So,I am biased,I suppose...But what a book this one is.As an artist who has produced well over ten thousand goldfish related art objects, I though I was "fished out"....No way...I saw this book in the "rael" at a bookstore here in the city,and I couldn't beleive how this book thrilled me.I went home, saw it on Amazon,for about 50 dollars can. less than the bookshop had it for, and I ordered it fast....
This is really an art book, with a Japanese eye to goldfish...There's plenty of stories,info,etc, but the best is how everything presented gives this book the feeling of uniqueness.It is as though it is a one of a kind, artist's personal journal, sometimes very sweet, sometimes funny,and quietly spectacular in it's visual presentation...
If you are an artist who loves anything japanese,You have got to get this.

Beautiful photos and art.......2007-03-08

As a huge fan of fancy goldfish, I was pleased with this book. The cover and interior are lovely, with hundreds of photographs and art samples.

However, the book would be MUCH better if it was larger. As it is, the photographs are often stuck in the spine of the book, difficult to see.

A Veiw of History & Now........2006-11-10

Every page contains a visual feast, it's a history of the art/love for fancy's from those that are continuing the tradition.
A bonus of a short story again giving the meaning of fancy's in their lifes.
No care/health/tank maintaining ect. facts pick one of the dozens out.

Beautiful pictures.......2005-08-30

but not a book to learn about goldfish. A nice gift book for someone who has goldfish though.

A visual riot of goldfish.......2004-12-15

When it comes to artistic and exotic Japanese fish, for most people Koi is the first thing to spring to mind, if anything. A Japanese garden would not seem complete without a few of those large, gold beauties swimming elegantly under a moon-curved bridge. Some might be reminded of the Betta, often called a Japanese Fighting Fish (Or a Chinese Fighting Fish, or a Siamese Fighting Fish, or any-other-Asian-country Fighting Fish...) Rarely would one think of a goldfish.

Goldfish (Kingyo, in Japanese) are as much of an element of Japanese art as koi, cranes, cherry blossoms and white-faced courtesans. Like these, they are appreciated both for their natural beauty as well as their representational picturation. "Kingyo: The Artistry of Japanese Goldfish" explores both of these sides, showcasing the many wonders of the long tradition of goldfish breeding as well as the influence of goldfish design in all aspects of Japanese art, be they ceramics, Ukiyo-e prints, kimonos, children's toys or sword guards.

The photographs of the fish themselves are simply gorgeous. Set against a stark white background, all of the varieties of these highly-cultured living art-objects can be admired, from the calico ryukins to the bizarre suihogan with their giant bubble-like cheek pockets. Some breeds are more easily-appreciated than others, but all of these magnificent photographs show what they have to offer to full advantage. Rather than encumber these images with text, the information of the many breeds is bundled together near the rear of the book.

Along with the actual fish, there is a gallery of pretty much every conceivable type of Japanese art, emblazoned with goldfish. Fine ceramic dishes with subtle patterns, bright and inviting kimonos making the most of the golden color, carrying cases for tobacco and medicine, metal work such as sword guards and silver hairpins; there is clearly not an aspect of art that has remained untouched by these little swimmers. My personal favorites is the collection of Ukiyo-e prints, showing the people of Japan, high and low, enjoying the artistry of Japanese goldfish, from children scooping at them during fairs (an activity still popular in Japan today) to the moneyed classes displaying their latest acquisitions and exotic breeds.

In addition to this, there is a 63-page novella, "A Riot of Goldfish," translated from Japanese and showing the goldfish's influence and writing as well. The story is a fascinating tale of obsession, both in love and in attempting to breed the perfect goldfish. Matachi, the young goldfish breeder is swallowed whole by his art, as he attempts to express his love for the unattainable Masako, using living creatures as his medium. It is an unexpected and welcome addition to what is otherwise a picture book.

I really enjoyed "Kingyo: The Artistry of Japanese Goldfish," much more so than I thought I would before I first picked it up. It made me a convert to the beauty of goldfish.

Mr. Putter & Tabby Feed the Fish (Mr. Putter & Tabby)

Average customer rating:

our favorite mr putter and tabby
Read-aloud for library
Endearing! Enchanting! I wish I had these when I was a kid!
A must-read for cat lovers!
5 Stars for Mr. Putter & Tabby Feed the Fish

Mr. Putter & Tabby Feed the Fish (Mr. Putter & Tabby)
Cynthia Rylant
Manufacturer: Harcourt Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0152163662

Amazon.com

Mr. Putter and his fine yellow cat, Tabby, both getting on in years, love going to the tropical fish store. Mr. Putter owned goldfish as a boy, and Tabby loves watching the fish because it makes "her whiskers tingle and her tail twitch." When the pair decides to bring home three fish one day, neither one of them is aware that, well, how shall we put it delicately... Tabby has a "fish problem." Each evening Tabby wants to go to bed, she needs to go to bed, but she can't drag herself away from the fishbowl. Day and night she finds herself batting the bowl, twitchy and dazed, in spite of Mr. Putter's gentle admonitions. After failed attempts to cover the bowl with a pillowcase and a bucket, Mr. Putter finally decides to find a new home for his goldfish and finds a willing beneficiary in his neighbor Mrs. Teaberry and her good dog, Zeke. Will Zeke turn out to have a fish problem too, or is this happily ever after for the goldfish?

Cynthia Rylant and Arthur Howard's series about the lovable Mr. Putter and his skittish cat, Tabby, is a terrific boon for early readers. Howard's detail-rich illustrations of these utterly charming characters perfectly complement Rylant's humorous, entertaining, and very readable stories. Kids will love reading these beginning chapter books, which include Mr. Putter & Tabby Pour the Tea and Mr. Putter & Tabby Toot the Horn. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

Mr. Putter and Tabby love going to the fish store. Mr. Putter loves it because he has always liked fish. Tabby loves it because fish make her whiskers tingle and her tail twitch. So, one day Mr. Putter and Tabby decide to bring three fish home. And that's when they discover Tabby has a fish problem. . . .

Customer Reviews:

our favorite mr putter and tabby.......2007-03-21

I have three sons aged 1, 4 and 6. All of them love the Putter books and this one especially- I think they see similarities between our cat and tabby. Contrary to other reviews, I did not have to explain the 'bat,bat,bat' thing to them- they got it right away- at least the 4 and 6 year old did. Also, they love how Zeke becomes relaxed, sooo relaxed looking at the fish. I'd recommend this series to anyone with preschool- early readers- and to parents who might get tired of reading some of the 'stories' out there without any substance for this age group.

Read-aloud for library.......2006-07-23

I used the book for my read-aloud story time at the public library. The children, ages 4 through 9, enjoyed the story and the illustrations. It would be an easy book for a reader at about a 1st grade level. The "bat, bat, bat" that the cat did on the fish bowl needed to be explained to the youngest listeners.

Endearing! Enchanting! I wish I had these when I was a kid!.......2004-08-14

For last Christmas, I gave my 2 (nearly 3) year old daughter all the Mr. Putter and Tabby books available -- and I eagerly await the newest release: "Write the Book," (because I enjoy them so much myself!) My daughter had all of the books memorized by Spring. The three that make her laugh the most are "Pick the Pears," "Paint the Porch," and, of course, "Feed the Fish." While reading "Feed the Fish," she laughs as soon as we turn to the page were Tabby's pupils are shaped like goldfish silhouettes. Yesterday, I heard her reciting the part where Mr. Putter had to put a pillowcase over the fish bowl so Tabby would finally follow him to bed, although we have not read this particular book for a couple of weeks.

What I love best about the Mr. Putter and Tabby books is that they are about elderly people and their elderly pets in real world situations -- with a twist of humor, of course. (This is in contrast to the many other wonderful books about children, animals, and fantasy.) I believe this series helps a child to realize that in the real world elderly people are very interesting, even when they are restricted by "cranky legs."

A must-read for cat lovers!.......2002-10-09

It's true, my six-year-old loves this book. The truly great thing about it, though, is that it is thoroughly entertaining for the adults reading along with her. Everyone who has ever loved a cat, regardless of their age, should read this book. It's priceless.

5 Stars for Mr. Putter & Tabby Feed the Fish.......2001-10-10

My daughter is a beginning reader and loves all of the Mr. Putter and Tabby books, but this one is--by far--her favorite. It is endearing, tender, and funny, too. She reads it over and over, often laughing so hard at the events and characters' expressions, that she can't even read for a moment or two. All of these Rylant series books--and this one in particular--have really been a boost to her enjoyment of reading. I'm sure they would be for any 6-8 year old.

Average customer rating:

It is full of fun and colors.

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Fun Book
Barbara Barbieri McGrath
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

Board Books | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0694014508

Book Description

Grab a bag of Pepperidge Farm(TM) Goldfish(TM) crackers and dive into the fun of this playful, interactive board book for Goldfish lovers of all ages.Shaped like a fish bowl, each page has Goldfish die cuts so readers can make fun-to-eat Goldfish crackers part of the clever rhyming story.Everyone loves snacking on Goldfish, and now they're for snack time, story time, anytime!

Customer Reviews:

It is full of fun and colors........2000-05-19

It is very colorful, which catches the eye of younger children. And it makes reading & counting fun with an added treat.

How to Train Goldfish Using Dolphin Training Techniques

Average customer rating:

Train your goldfish!
Yes! This book exists!

How to Train Goldfish Using Dolphin Training Techniques
C. Scott Johnson
Manufacturer: Vantage Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Train your goldfish!.......2005-11-09

It's a thin little book of only 40 pages. My copy is hardbound, without a picture on the cover.

It's got several black-and-white pictures, some of which are quite interesting. Some of the chapters include:

Swimming through a hoop
Ball Pushing
Basketball
Ring Retrieval

Yes! This book exists!.......2002-11-07

Ah ha! I knew it! I CAN train my Poochie! Thank goodness there's a book that can show me how!

Average customer rating:

Funny Absurdism -- with a VERY nasty edge.
The Day I Read A Whole Children's Book Aloud in the Store...
The day I swapped my dad for 2 goldfish
BRILLANT, SWEET, CHARMING, TWISTED
Iï¿½ll swap my dad any day if thatï¿½s book Iï¿½ll get for it...

The Day I Swapped My Dad for 2 Goldfish
Neil Gaiman , and Dave McKean
Manufacturer: White Wolf Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1565049446

Amazon.com

It's a graphic short story more than a traditional picture book, by a famous fantasy and comics team. From the front end-flap to the final Fin (and not excepting the copyright page), this is a witty, funny collaboration. Neil Gaiman's grasp of kid-narrative logic and Dave McKean's whimsical layered art tell the story of a dad who "doesn't pay much attention to anything, when reading his newspaper" and the narrator's brilliant idea of swapping him for something more interesting--and of course, the convoluted consequences.

Customer Reviews:

Funny Absurdism -- with a VERY nasty edge........2007-07-20

One minor problem for me, that is evidently not a problem for many others, was the art. I was put off by the blotchy, surrealistic, color-schemes, which were distracting, and rarely added to whatever charm the line-drawings themselves possessed.

Getting past that, I was able to enjoy the silly story. Humor is often generated when the tension is created by horror or fear, but then is punctured by the absurdity of the situation.

All decent people should be horrified by the idea of buying and selling other human beings, in pursuit of materialistic goals, as though they were mere objects. Here, however, the absurdity of the situation breaks the ice. We know that virtually no real child would want to sell his or her father. Moreover, the idea of this rather useless dad permitting himself to be bartered all over town by children, without ever once looking up from his newspaper, is completely nonsensical. I suppose children might laugh (just as I did).

Another saving grace is that, even though the story is told from the point of view of the creepy little sociopath of a son who sells his dad, there were other characters for me to root for. I was completely on the side of the little sister, who (quite properly) objects and protests the scheme. She (quite properly) rats him out to his mother, who is also suitably furious, and makes this creepy little materialist promise never to sell his dad again. Morever, since the bulk of the story concerns the quest to RECOVER the bartered-off dad, even the boy is doing the right thing for much of the narrative.

But then comes the TWIST. You see, he never promised anything about not selling his little sister. The last panel shows the brother's huge shadow, mouth open with glee, reaching like an ogre for this little girl, who looks small, isolated, helpless.

This time, I did not laugh.

Why not? This time, sadly, the absurdity of the situation does not puncture the horror. It is not absurd enough, and it is too horrific. We do not think the boy is joking. Earlier in the tale, we actually saw the little sister bound and gagged by the older brother to prevent her ratting on him to Mom (a disturbing enough scene in its own right). Moreover the pictures make the boy look much larger and stronger than his little sister -- the situation lacks the obvious jokiness of bartering off one's much-larger dad while he never looks up from his newspaper. Even the THREAT of selling your little sister to your friends is potentially a nasty and frightening form of abuse.

Gaiman's afterword tells us the story reflects real and bitter hostility that existed between two of his children, and further reflected a similar bitter hostility between himself and his own sister. This eerily suggests that the final panel might have been inspired by genuine malice. How, then is it a joke? If bitter hostility between siblings is a problem -- and it often is -- ought not the message, in a picture book ostensibly marketed for children, be a bit more positive? Payback time, little girl! I guess she shouldn't have ratted out her creepy older brother. Funny to Gaiman, perhaps, but not to me.

The Day I Read A Whole Children's Book Aloud in the Store..........2005-10-01

This book is a whimsical tale about a boy who sets covetous eyes on his friend's goldfish, and after rummaging through all his belongings, finally hits upon the idea of swapping his dad for the goldfish. Though the friend initally doesn't think it's a fair swap ("I've got two goldfish, you've only got one dad"), he eventually agrees. But when Mom gets home, the boy has to go return the goldfish and get his dad back. Returning the goldfish, he finds his dad has been swapped for something else, and so the boy has to go through the town returning item after item until he eventually gets his dad back.

Though it's dressed up and marketed as a children's book, it's a little long to hold the interest of anyone under 7 or 8, and a little too simple for those over that age, but who aren't old enough to really see the humor in it. But as an adult, I enjoyed the book quite a bit. The illustrations by Dave McKean are delightfully creepy, and the story is just silly enough to remind me how I thought about the barter system when I was a kid. The story is funny, and the ending even funnier. My wife and daughter enjoyed hearing me read the whole thing aloud in the store, and by this merit I was allowed to buy it. The edition that I got has a CD insert with a recording of Mr Gaiman himself reading the story. Though my performance was masterful in the extreme, I have to concede that Neil reads it better than I do, and I've listened to the disc several times since I got it.

If you're reading it aloud to kids, make sure you've got a patient audience first, since it takes a while to get through. But if they'll sit for it, they'll probably enjoy it. I personally loved the illustrations, done in a mixture of media, collages of photograph and hand-drawn images, a staple of McKean's artistic style. Not the typical happy-cartoony children's book drawings.

Though I've gotten mixed responses from the groups of children I've read this to, I enjoy the book a lot, and think that you will, too.

The day I swapped my dad for 2 goldfish.......2004-02-13

This is not a children's book. It is dark. Don't read this to yor children. This person should not be writing childrens books.

BRILLANT, SWEET, CHARMING, TWISTED.......2002-11-27

I'm sure I'm not the first reviewer here to say that I love this book as much as any kid ever could. Great story, great writing, exceptional artwork by the inimitable dave mckean. If you don't fall in love with this book, then I'd be willing to wager that you never had a childhood.

By any means necessary, no matter how old you are, read this book; even if you have to swap your favoritest family member for a copy. (I've heard Amazon does in fact accept this kind of bartering system)

Iï¿½ll swap my dad any day if thatï¿½s book Iï¿½ll get for it..........2002-04-06

Take Neil Gaiman, put him in a room together with Dave McKean. What do you get? Wonders. This dream-team has worked many times before and has produced some of the best Sandman comics in the bunch.

Although it is presented as a book for those who are still children at heart and offers a moral which should not be overlooked, it spins a wondrous yarn about a boy and his friends, and mocks the sixdegrees theory in its undertow...

Gaimanýs words are beautiful and McKeanýs art is fantastic. You can read this book over and over again and never tire of it, or just leaf through the pages and marvel at the pictures, which are a great source of amusement for children who are yet to be able to read on their own.

Book Description

"I'll swap you my dad," I said.
"Oh-oh," said my little sister.

What if you wanted your best friend's two goldfish so much that you'd swap anything for them, even your father?

What if your mother came home and found out what you'd done?

The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish is a hilarious adventure and was the first book for younger readers from the acclaimed author and illustrator of the New York Times best-sellers The Wolves in the Walls and Coraline. Chosen as one of Newsweek magazine's Best Children's Books of the Year, The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish is beloved by readers of all ages. This new edition features brand-new jacket art and an afterword by the author on the origins of this unique and wonderfully funny story.

Customer Reviews:

A Great Family Story.......2007-08-06

I bought this book so my daughter could read along with the recording of it on her music player. It was a nice surprise to have the CD included in the book, as well. This is a funny story that we all enjoy.

Lovely.......2007-05-09

This is a wonderfully fun book about a boy who trades his dad for two goldfish. His mother tells him he has to get his dad back, so he goes on an adventure, walking from house to house, swapping items until he finally gets his dad back. His dad seems to have been oblivious to the whole thing, just reading his paper the whole time. A fun book with beautiful illustrations (typical Dave McKean drawings). My 6 year-old daughter loves it.

I bought this book just beacause of its artworks/design.......2007-03-15

and I mean it. They are awesome, and come together very nice in the whole.
But the most impressive is that they are so thoughtful, full of collages, hidden messages, paint textures that they tell the tale just like the text.

For All Ages.......2006-12-14

This is a great little book that can be enjoyed by children of all ages, or children at heart. The story is basically about a boy that swaps his father for 2 goldfish. What he finds out is that the person he swapped with has swapped his father with someone else and this continues in a chain until he finally finds his father.

This is such a great book, right up to the caliber that would be expected of Mr. Gaiman. As usual, Dave McKean's illustrations are absolutely amazing. Even if you don't read the story, this book is great to have just as an art book. Enjoy it!

A Review for a bedtime story.......2006-11-05

I liked the illustrative quality of this book, the story is simple , original, and with humour, my six year old daughter enjoys it, although it is very different from her world, in every way.

Average customer rating:

GREAT STORY!
Fun and funny, glug, glug, fish...
Adorable!

Not Norman: A Goldfish Story
Kelly Bennett
Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0763623849
Release Date: 2005-02-03

Book Description

With wry humor and lighthearted affection, author Kelly Bennett and illustrator Noah Z. Jones tell an unexpected—and positively fishy—tale about finding the good in something you didn't know you wanted.

"Don't think that just because you made me laugh, I'm going to keep you," I tell him. "Tomorrow, you're outta here."

Norman the goldfish isn't what this little boy had in mind. He wanted a different kind of pet—one that could run and catch, or chase string and climb trees, a soft furry pet to sleep on his bed at night. Definitely not Norman. But when he tries to trade Norman for a "good pet," things don't go as he planned. Could it be that Norman is a better pet than he thought?

Customer Reviews:

GREAT STORY!.......2007-05-14

This story could not be cuter, and what a great message! We read it again and again.

Fun and funny, glug, glug, fish..........2005-06-02

Goldfish are not exactly exciting, and the boy in this story had dreamt of a different pet: "One who could run and catch. Or one who could climb trees and chase strings."

But alas, he's received Norman, "a sorry-looking fish in a gunky bowl." If he takes Norman to show-and-tell, will someone want to swap with him? No ... but soon Norman's quiet, reassuring presence is making the boy's heart flip. He decides he wouldn't trade Norman for "any pet in the whole world."

The phrase "Not Norman," bookmarks the story, and in a clever twist it means one thing at the beginning and just the opposite at the end.

In his first children's book, Jones' expressive illustrations of boy and fish accentuate the story's silly side. He depicts Norman blowing bubbles, smiling at the boy, boogeying to his tuba playing. The cover illustration plays with shapes-the boy's head mirrors the fishbowl's dimensions. As the boy peers through the bowl, we can see his eyes-and a floating Norman takes the place of his mouth and nose.

The author is quoted on the leaf: "Fish are fun and funny. Just watching them makes me laugh." She and Jones have succeeded, glug, glug, in communicating fondness for the humble goldfish.

Adorable!.......2005-04-10

Not Norman: A Goldfish Story is a lovely story about a little boy who really wants a more interactive pet. Instead, he gets a pet that is always there for him, is always attentive and is always awake!!!! Unconditional love! This is a fun read for kids and it has clear concise pictures for children to enjoy!!! Great book!

The Goldfish: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet

Average customer rating:

Not enough pictures about goldfish diseases
This is the BEST Goldfish Book EVER!!!
Excellent, but not totally current
Good first book
A good, informative book

The Goldfish: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet
Carlo DeVito , and Gregory, PhD Skomal
Manufacturer: Howell Book House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0876053983

Product Description

156 pages, hardcover, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". Everything you need to know about caring for your goldfish from tank setup, equipment and water chemistry to breeding and feeding. Filled with color photographs, info-packed sidebars, and fun facts.

Customer Reviews:

Not enough pictures about goldfish diseases.......2004-12-16

This book's just too general. The contents are just too basic. It doesn't contain too much info about goldfish diseases. I think the book contains info about general freshwater fishes rather than goldfishes. Also there're only a few pictures that shown the goldfish diseases. Some diseases written in the book don't even have pictures. I will say it's a book for a real beginner (knows nothing about freshwater fishes) rather than goldfish lovers.

This is the BEST Goldfish Book EVER!!!.......2002-11-13

If you want a Happy and Healthy Goldfish, BUY THIS BOOK. I've owned this book for a year and a half and I Love it to this day!!! This book is filled with Beautiful Color pictures, easy to understand concepts, and all the information you could ever want on Goldfish. This book has made me so knowledgeable that my friends call me "the Goldfish doctor".

Excellent, but not totally current.......2002-08-01

Aquarium technology has advanced quite a bit since this book was first written, so that portion of the book is only of limited use. However, the information on care and feeding of one's goldfish is excellent. Nonetheless, if you are going to get just one book on goldfish, I recommend The Essential Goldfish, by Maddy Hargrove, which is an updated version of this book..

Good first book.......2002-07-05

I just set up a small outdoor pond and was not really interested in Koi because of the cost and the fact that they can get big so goldfish seemed the logical choice.
Other than having one in a bowl when I was a kid, I didn't know anything about them. Now I know I will never put one in a bowl again and have learned all kinds of interesting things about these fascinating creatures. I am sure there are other books that may go into more detail on some topics but this book seems to cover just about everything. I don't think you will be disappointed. Clear, easy to read and understand. Good photos but I wish there were more - can't please everyone.

A good, informative book.......2002-05-08

This book has helped me gain an understanding of goldfish and how to take care of them. Written by Carlo DeVito with Gregory Skomal, it was released in 1996. The 156 pages consist of five chapters. The color photographs of the varieties of goldfish are nice. Several drawings are also included--one of these is a color drawing of a goldfish with its external features pointed out. Handy sidebars are interspersed throughout. Examples of topics discussed are the history of goldfish, the body and its structure, the senses, selecting goldfish, varieties, setup of the aquarium, plants, feeding, aquarium maintenance, breeding, diseases, and pondkeeping. There is an appendix, which is composed of an alphabetical listing of 80 well-known varieties of goldfish, and a bibliography. I find this to be a pleasing, useful publication and recommend it.

Average customer rating:

Best Book You Can Buy For Goldfish
Good info, Great Pics
The Best Goldfish Book Out There!!!
Fancy Goldfish: a Complete Guide to Care and Collecting
The best goldfish care book

Fancy Goldfish
Erik L. Johnson , and Richard E. Hess
Manufacturer: New Holland Publishers Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1859749577

Customer Reviews:

Best Book You Can Buy For Goldfish.......2007-05-12

Not much to add to the title. The book is written by experts and has more information than any other book I've read on Goldfish. The author also has a website with even more information. The illustrations are beautiful. If you intend to raise or just have pet Goldfish, this is the only book you will need.

Good info, Great Pics.......2007-05-07

I pretty much agree with everyone else, this is a very good resource for the experienced or newbie goldfish parent. There's probably more info here than I'll ever need (I don't plan on performing biopsies or even buying a microscope any time soon), but it's well-written and interesting stuff. The basics are covered just as thoroughly, and most of the questions I came up with were answered within a few paragraphs. The photography and production are amazing. An index would have been nice, but it's not necessary as the layout is straight-forward and everything is where you would expect it to be. I don't think I'll ever buy another goldfish book!

The Best Goldfish Book Out There!!!.......2007-03-17

My Fiance and I have six goldfish in a 55gal tank and when we started out (with 2 goldfish in a 5.5gal tank) we knew nothing about goldfish. This book has been our lifesaver. It has taught us how to properly care for our fish and has enlightened us to breed differences, breeding processes, and other outside information. It is an excellent resource that most thoroughly encompases goldfish care and I highly recommended it to anyone who has goldfish and wishes to keep their beloved pet healthy and alive. Since owning this book, our fish have doubled or tripled in size and we have been able to cure them of their diseases, instead of having to flush them sadly away.

Fancy Goldfish: a Complete Guide to Care and Collecting.......2007-03-09

This book did contain the information I was searching for, both visually and in written form. It was off-putting to have the book begin with the diseases, abnormalities, hazards, etc. before it ever got to "what are fancy goldfish". Would still recommend.

The best goldfish care book.......2007-02-20

This is, in my opinion, by far the best goldfish book ever written. It is the only book you will ever need to understand the requirements to keep your goldfish healthy. The book dispels many myths regarding goldfish care and is based on scientific observation. The book does not cover aspects such as setting up of a tank in detail but is devoted mainly towards caring for the species. It is a book for the advanced aquarist but can be helpful to the novice if read in conjuction with other books regarding the basics of aquarium equipment and setup procedures.

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