Tom's Fish

Coffelt, Nancy

ISBN 10: 0152005870 ISBN 13: 9780152005870

Publisher: Gulliver Books, 1994

The only problem with Tom's birthday goldfish (named Jesse) is that it swims upside down, and Tom tries a series of tricks to make Jesse swim right side up. By the author-illustrator of Dogs in Space.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-K-Tom is thrilled to get his very own goldfish for his birthday, but Jesse only wants to swim upside down. Tom tries everything he can think of to change his pet's ways: a different view, entertainment, new food, even the companionship of a female fish named Flo. But nothing seems to work. Finally, Tom decides that whenever he wants to see Jesse right side up, he'll simply stand on his head. The plan works perfectly...except that now Flo is upside-down! The brightly colored, Chagal-like pastel illustrations add a real touch of whimsy to this story of individuality; their bold outlines and simplicity of style have definite child appeal. The antics of Tom's cat and dog, who constantly appear poised and ready to make a meal out of Jesse, are a bit reminiscent of Jack Gantos's "Rotten Ralph" (Houghton) and are sure to delight young readers. However, the clever pictures promise more than the dull text delivers. Tom's four-legged pets never do affect the story, and his solution to Jesse's "problem" is rather banal. For a tale that stresses the need for appreciating each creature's uniqueness, stay with Robert Kraus's Leo the Late Bloomer (Crowell, 1971); let Tom's Fish swim where he will.
Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, Wheeler School, Providence, RI
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

Although this effort is more coherent than Coffelt's Goodnight, Sigmund and Dogs in Space , her striking illustrations and design once again outshine a flimsy story. When Tom receives a goldfish for his birthday, he's troubled because it insists on swimming upside down. Tom's friends and family suggest that the fish, which Tom has named Jesse, might be bored, hungry or lonely, so Tom serenades Jesse with his ukulele and does "his super-duper jump dance." Then he gives Jesse "fish chips, and even fancy fish fries," and buys a fish friend named Flo. Eventually, Tom decides that whenever he wants to see Jesse right-side-up, he'll stand on his head. There's only one problem: when Tom and his dog and cat stand on their heads, Flo looks upside-down. Coffelt's unique oil pastels on black paper resemble schoolroom scratchboard or chalk drawings. Frenetic colored borders framing each drawing complement the sometimes abstract compositions that, while intriguing in their design, may confuse the youngest readers. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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