What's It Like to Be a Fish? FROM THE PUBLISHER
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.
Author Biography: 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.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot
In this Let's-Read-and-Find-Out" science book, children are introduced to fish. The shape of the fish's body, its hard scales and slimy coating all make swimming through the water easier. Fish "breath" water and extract oxygen, and big fish eat little fish. These and other basic fish facts are clearly explained with illustrations that contain pictures of common aquarium fish. Pfeffer closes with information about creating your own fishbowl habitat.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 3Goldfish 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