Ugly Fish [Hardcover]

Kara LaReau (Author), Scott Magoon (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2006 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years

Ugly Fish is ugly and big and mean, and he won't share his driftwood tunnel or his special briny flakes with anyone. And that means the wimpy little fish who keep showing up in his tank have got to go. But then one day someone bigger and uglier and maybe even meaner arrives . . . and suddenly Ugly Fish isn't feeling quite so confident anymore.

From Kara LaReau, author of the Rocko and Spanky series, here is an irreverent and terrifically funny book about a bully who at last gets his comeuppance.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4–Ugly Fish is big, mean, and not keen on sharing his space with others. Whenever new tank-mates arrive, he chases them around and then eats them. Once they're gone, he wishes that he had someone to play with and regrets his actions. However, wishes can be dangerous things, and soon Shiny Fish arrives on the scene. He is much larger than Ugly Fish and looks vaguely sharklike. Ugly Fish, lonely no more, proudly shows his new friend around the tank. Impressed, Shiny Fish decides he wants it all to himself, and, after a short chase, polishes off Ugly Fish with a burp. Edgy pen-and-ink, digitally colored cartoon illustrations perfectly complement the short text's dry and wicked humor. The comically exaggerated details within the sharp pictures prevent the plot from becoming too heavy. While not for the faint of heart, this book will appeal to many kids; they'll thoroughly enjoy its humor and shock value.–Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA
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Review

With his murky green skin and fierce underbite, Ugly Fish rules the aquarium. "He liked gliding in... and out... of his driftwood tunnel. He liked eating his special briny flakes." But he hates to share. Each time a potential friend is introduced, he snarls, "There's only room for one fish in this tank-me!" He devours all interlopers, including cute yellow Teensy Fish and the cuddly duo of Stripey and Spotty Fish. In post-meal images, readers witness Ugly's pleased expression and see the victim's fin dangling from his toothy jaw; when he's lonely, he does express mild remorse ("Chasing those fish was fun. If only I hadn't eaten them"). Shortly thereafter, dark-blue Shiny Fish-so enormous he doesn't fit on the page, and with sinister dark circles under his narrow eyes-joins Ugly in the tank. Ugly acts as though he has learned his lesson, and tries to welcome the hulking newcomer. But predator becomes prey, and Shiny gets "a nice new home... [burp] all to himself." Magoon pictures the action in close-up, except for a wordless closing image of solitary Shiny, content in the rectangular tank. In this conclusion, Magoon implies the tiny territory for which the fish compete, and not least, the human hand in the fishy murders. LaReau's text, meanwhile, describes a bully's grim comeuppance. But however satisfying the vigilante justice, only a bigger bully trumps a petty tyrant. This cautionary tale shows that violence begets violence, but never suggests an alternative to the big-fish-eat-little-fish cycle. Ages 3-7. (Publishers Weekly )

Grade 1-4–Ugly Fish is big, mean, and not keen on sharing his space with others. Whenever new tank-mates arrive, he chases them around and then eats them. Once they're gone, he wishes that he had someone to play with and regrets his actions. However, wishes can be dangerous things, and soon Shiny Fish arrives on the scene. He is much larger than Ugly Fish and looks vaguely sharklike. Ugly Fish, lonely no more, proudly shows his new friend around the tank. Impressed, Shiny Fish decides he wants it all to himself, and, after a short chase, polishes off Ugly Fish with a burp. Edgy pen-and-ink, digitally colored cartoon illustrations perfectly complement the short text's dry and wicked humor. The comically exaggerated details within the sharp pictures prevent the plot from becoming too heavy. While not for the faint of heart, this book will appeal to many kids; they'll thoroughly enjoy its humor and shock value.–Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA
(School Library Journal ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1 edition (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152050825
• ISBN-13: 978-0152050825
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 0.4 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #503,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Richie's Picks: UGLY FISH August 30, 2006

By Richie Partington VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

This is my favorite picture book of 2006. I have used it with a mixed age group (1st-6th grades) in a summer writing institute and with the graduate students in my children's literature class. It is unusual and unique both in its illustrations and its story of Ugly Fish who eats up the other fish who are put into his fish tank. Don't miss this one!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprise Sucess April 12, 2007

By Kathryn Reece

Format:Hardcover

As an educator, I was not completely confident that this would go over well in a classroom. I thought that the illustrations could end up in a room full of frightened preschoolers. However, after taking the chance, I have found that this is a hit for kids of ALL ages. I find that when I give voices to the different fish, the kids can't keep their eyes off the book. It is so popular in the classroom that I've had to invest in multiple copies.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A nightly read! April 5, 2007

By Kevin Walker

Format:Hardcover

This has quickly taken top billing as the story before bed. It's a combo of the fun imaginitive drawings and the unexpected turn at the end that gets giggles everytime. The story, at least in our house, is read as a cautionary tale.... Ugly Fish finds himself in a pickle because of his actions, it's rule number one: do unto others as you would have them do unto you!

The book has mastered a great blend of humor, fun characters, and a refreshingly offbeat storyline.