What's It Like to Be a Fish? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1) [Library Binding]

Wendy Pfeffer (Author), Holly Keller (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1

Could you live underwater?

You can't breathe underwater, but a fish can. You can't eat underwater, but fish does it everyday. A fish's body is perfectly designed for life in water, just as your body is perfect for living on land. Read and find out how a fish's sleek body, fins, scales, and gills keep him in the swim! Then read on to learn how to set up your own goldfish bowl.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?Goldfish are the focus of this overview; several other fish are illustrated and labeled, but without supporting text or size comparisons. Facts about physiology are explained in an elementary manner. The author compares piscine and human breathing, states the function and structure of scales, discusses feeding habits and blood temperature, and provides other basic information. Step-by-step instructions for setting up a goldfish bowl are included. The pen-and-ink, watercolor, and pastel illustrations are adequate. A useful addition to a subject area that has a paucity of material on this level.?Virginia Opocensky, formerly at Lincoln City Libraries, NE
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 1^-3, younger for reading aloud. How pet goldfish feed, breathe, swim, and rest in water is the focus of this lively Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science book. Large, clear, labeled pictures in pen-and-ink, watercolor, and pastel and a simple, informative text explain how scales and slime keep fish healthy, how their sleek shapes help them swim, what it means to be cold-blooded, etc. There's some general information at the beginning about fish in lakes and ponds, and one double-page spread shows them in the sea, but the focus is on caring for a pet goldfish. The final instructions for setting up a goldfish bowl are straightforward and practical. The book design is open and inviting, and Keller's brilliantly colored fish swim through pages washed in aquatic blue and green. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (February 19, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060244291
• ISBN-13: 978-0060244293
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,699,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Wendy Pfeffer has written several other books for children,including From Tadpole to Frog and What's It Like to Be a Fish? both illustrated by Holly Keller. Ms. Pfeffer lives in Pennington, NJ. Holly Keller has illustrated Let's Go Rock Collecting by Roma Gans and You're Aboard Spaceship Earth by Patricia Lauber, as well as her own books starring Horace and Geraldine. Ms. Keller lives in West Redding, CT.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unexamined metaphysics, August 28, 2006

By 

Kris D. Larsen (Wassenaar, Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What's It Like to Be a Fish? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1) (Paperback)

My boy brought this home the school library and the title of the book intrigued me. What is it like to swim by swishing your tail, round and round, in a small little bowl; or, eating fish flakes sprinkled from above when the person decides it's time to be fed; or to live in an environment that deteriorates day after day into murkiness until you are suddenly scooped up by a net and put into an even smaller container while your bowl is being cleaned? What IS it like to be a fish? Alas, there are no answers to that question found in this book -- pity.

But ontological musings aside, this book is a good little read for kids who, for the first time, are interested in having a fish as a pet. The book uses the common goldfish as its example. It shows the different environments in which a little child might encounter a fish: a bowl, an aquarium, a plastic bag being brought home from the pet store and swimming around in a backyard pond. It also tells what the different fins are called, how do fish sleep, are they warm or cold-blooded, how do they breath water when I can't, and similar questions a young child might ask when they have their first fish. It tells you how to set up a goldfish bowl and why you put the bag in the water for awhile without setting the fishies free. Basic stuff for the adult, good for the child who shows interest in having a fish pet. Now if only that title-question was answered...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for elementary science teachers, April 5, 2007

By 

C. Castillo (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What's It Like to Be a Fish? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book to introducing the levels of classification for living things. This book explored the physiology of fish in language that young children can understand. The facts are presented in a way that is not overwhelming to children. The illustrations are great and they really show what its like to be a fish. I have used this book with my preschoolers and they love it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars serves its purpose, July 25, 2007

By 

J.E.D. (Florida) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What's It Like to Be a Fish? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1) (Paperback)

Cute book. I liked all the info except it talks about what temp. to keep your fish tank at.......and I used it for a preschool students. Way over their heads.

Overall, good info, realistic, and cute!