READ-4-LUCK acts as a book recommendation, book review, teaching tip, and writing lesson for children, parents, teachers, and writers. This fun weekly feature began back in October 2010 and is still going strong.
= Not bad. Might read twice. = Fun read first few times. Would get from library again. = Very enjoyable. Wouldn't mind owning a copy. = Awesome! Multiple readings are never tiresome. May just have to buy it.This week's Read-4-Luck pick is Faucet Fish by Fay Robinson.
Author: Fay Robinson
Illustrator: Wayne Anderson
Publisher: Dutton Children's Books
Year: 2005
Word Count: 931
Age: 4-8
Topic/themes: hobbies, listening, problem-solving
Resources: no external ones found - see below for ideas
Opening Lines:
"Elizabeth loved fish. She spent every Saturday at the aquarium down the street, drawing her favorite ones. Everyone at the aquarium knew her. The aquarium librarian let her take out all the best books. The fish feeder let Elizabeth give snails to the octopus. The plumber even let Elizabeth help clean the fish tanks."
RATINGS
CHILDREN:
The pictures REALLY help this book come alive. Check out the cat! And which fish is the dragon fish? The swirling illustrations go hand in hand with the text on most pages. It's simply a feast. And the story's great too!
PARENTS:
Bought this book from the bargain racks a couple years ago. I read it aloud to a group of adults, including a librarian. They all LOVED it (or was it my adorable read-aloud they loved?)! My eight-year-old whined last night when he couldn't see the pictures, so I had to move so he could see. Ain't I jest so sweet? At 900+ words, seems like it would be long, but reads fast.
TEACHERS:
A great fun book that could introduce hobbies and/or problem solving. Excellent choice for a mentor text for telling story. The story is circular and every part important. Could have students do the writing prompt below.
WRITERS:
Writing prompt: Tell a story from the CAT's point of view. OR write about a hobby you have or would like to begin.
What's YOUR favorite hobby? (Sorry, can't say writing, teaching, or parenting...) Mine's running.
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Keep on keepin' on...
Love that cover! Such a fun book about a child loving fish and aquariums. The illustrations sound fun. Like how you've rated this book.
ReplyDeleteHobby: attending the opera!
Wow! I've never been to an opera before. Closest I ever came was in middle school when we sang "The Phantom of the Opera."
DeleteSounds like a fun one, Christie! Thanks for adding it to the list. Also, I love that you put the word count - that is so interesting. I like knowing how long books are, from a writer's standpoint.
ReplyDeleteHobby: horseback riding :)
I love horses. Do you own any? I hear they are expensive.
DeleteThis book looks great! Can't wait to read it myself! I love to garden! If you are looking for a horse I hear a lot are being given away because of drought, for one. Suppose it's the upkeep that is truly expensive.
ReplyDeleteGardening is one of my hobbies too! Vegetable gardening. What kind do you do?
DeleteI want to read it to discover the circular storytelling!
ReplyDeletehobby: hiking
Maybe I'll give the ending away for you in a month or so, if you haven't read the book by then. I'll do another Story Elements day and feature Faucet Fish. Sound good?
DeleteI really like the looks of this book! Great cover! And I love things fishy. I spend a lot of time at the river watching the fish and I love the aquariums at school. One has a treasure chest that pops open and bubbles come out!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite hobby is tennis! without the racket of course!
Sounds cute and interesting. I am adding it to my list.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a delightful book -- and I can see it being great for kids whose parents tune them out because of their imaginative stories.
ReplyDeleteHobby: making miniature scenes, like a Christmas room, or a mouse theatre.
Great story Christie. Gosh we had BBQ fish last night. :)
ReplyDeleteHobbie: cake decorating and gardening.