Fun with Fish!

The Fish of Small Wishes written by Elana K. Arnold

Once, there was a girl named Kiki, who found a fish on the asphalt. The fish was very hot and very dry. But when Kiki put it in the bathtub, it started swimming, and growing, and speaking. “I want to grant you a wish for saving me,” it said. Alas, this fish was only a fish of small wishes, and Kiki’s wish was too big. Unless there was a way for both their dreams to come true.

Fish and Crab written and illustrated by Marianna Coppo

Crab wants to sleep, but Fish is full of “what if” worries, so Crab tells him to list them all.

The Library Fish Learns to Read written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Library Fish, who calls the library her home, decides it is time to learn to do what everyone around her loves doing–read.

This Tank is Mine! Written and illustrated by Jonathan Fenske

Angelo the angel fish lives in an awesome fish tank. He has a cozy cave (his), a terrific treasure chest (also his), and a bubbly bubble man (his again). But then a new fish gets dropped into the tank. And suddenly, Angelo has to share?! 

A Mouthful of Minnows written and illustrated by John Hare

Alphonso the alligator snapping turtle heads out for a breakfast hunt but ends up having second thoughts.

 Big Bear and Little Fish written by Sandra Nickel

Despite their many differences, Big Bear and a Little Fish find similarities between themselves and become friends.

A Spark in the Dark written and illustrated by Pam Fong

A little fish lost in the ocean must find a spark of light to show it the way home.

Nonfiction

Essential Fish written by Alyssa Krekelberg

This book examines Earth’s fish, highlighting a diverse selection of 22 notable species from around the world. A blend of narrative text, authoritative nonfiction content, fact boxes, and vivid photos bring these amazing fish to life. Features include a glossary, online resources, source notes, and an index.

Fish written by Steve Parker

Take a plunge into the depths and encounter speedy swimmers, deep divers, and bottom feeders. From stealthy sharks to curious catfish, find out fantastic fishy facts about how these underwater creatures hunt, hide, drive, and glide.

Make a Fish Swim with Soap: https://frugalfun4boys.com/make-a-fish-swim-with-soap/

Paper Stuffed Fish craft: https://minimatisse.blogspot.com/2019/04/paper-stuffed-fish.html?spref=pi&m=1

How to make fantastic flying fish paper spinners: https://onetimethrough.com/how-to-make-fantastic-flying-fish-paper-spinners/

Fabulous Fish!

I Am Not a Fish! Written and illustrated by Peter Raymundo

Edgar the jellyfish joins a self-help group of starfish and learns to embrace what makes him unique.

Save Your Friends written and illustrated by Hyewon Kyung

A variety of friendly fish and other sea creatures enlist the reader’s help in escaping a shark.

Sea Bones by Bob Barner

Did you know that Jellies (not Jelly Fish–because they aren’t actually fish) have no bones and no brains? Or that the largest animal on Earth is the blue whale? Join author-illustrator Bob Barner as he makes waves with this lush picture book about the sea featuring his signature rhyming text and colorful illustrations.

The Only Fish in the Sea by Philip Christian Stead 

Sadie and Sherman set out to rescue little Ellsworth, the goldfish Amy Scott received for her birthday and threw right into the ocean.

Henny, Penny, Lenny, Denny, and Mike by Cynthia Rylant

Five guppies love their life in a little girl’s fish tank until some new additions shake things up.

Longing for friends and hungry for delicious treats, a fish who lives near the bottom of the ocean invites everyone to a party, with unexpected results.

Wordless books

Aquarium written and illustrated by Cynthia Alonso

In this wordless picture book, a little girl learns about love, nature, and the transformative power of letting go when a little fish leaps into her life.

Friends written and illustrated by Geraldo Valério

When a girl and a frog go to the beach to fish, they are frustrated to find that the fish aren’t biting. Instead, they stare into the water and make faces at their reflections. Then, something spectacular happens. The reflections take on lives of their own, transforming into a mermaid with her own pet frog. Surprise gives way to delight as they invite the girl and the frog to enter a stunning underwater world. The new friends swim and play amongst colorful sea creatures until they discover a pair of glowing pearls and turn them into matching necklaces.

The Fish and the Cat by Marianne Dubuc

A playful cat, a courageous fish… Where will their adventures take them?

Rain Fish written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert

Through rhyme and mixed-media collage illustrations, ‘rain fish’–the varied, colorful, and unique little collections of materials that float along on streams of rain water during storms–come to life.

Nonfiction:

The Big Book of the Blue written and illustrated by Yuval Zommer

Alongside everything the young oceanographer needs to know, Zommer’s charming illustrations bring to life some of the slipperiest, scaliest, strangest, and most monstrous underwater animals.

Fish in a bottle craft: https://mercercountylibrary.blogspot.com/2013/07/ocean-in-bottle-craft-for-kids.html?m=1

Ocean scene paper plate craft https://daisycottagedesigns.net/preschool-at-home-week-2/

Fish facts: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/outreach-and-education/fun-facts-about-fascinating-fish

Ocean Life

Hello, My Name is: How Adorabilis Got His Name by Marisa Polansky

A new creature is added to the deep-sea tank, but what will they call this flapjack octopus? Includes an author’s note on Adorabilis and its name.

The Fish and the Cat by Marianne Dubuc

A playful cat, a courageous fish… Where will their adventures take them?

Aquarium by Cynthia Alonso

In this wordless picture book, a little girl learns about love, nature, and the transformative power of letting go when a little fish leaps into her life.

Prince and Pirate by Charlotte Gunnufson

When a pirate fish and a prince fish are dropped into the same fish tank, it doesn’t seem like they’ll ever get along–until the arrival of a third fish inspires them to cooperate.

Henny, Penny, Lenny, Denny, and Mike by Cynthia Rylant

Five guppies love their life in a little girl’s fish tank until some new additions shake things up.

The Only Fish in the Sea by Philip Stead

Sadie and Sherman set out to rescue little Ellsworth, the goldfish Amy Scott received for her birthday and threw right into the ocean.

Sea Monkey & Bob by Aaron Reynolds

A sea monkey who is afraid of sinking and a pufferfish afraid of floating to the surface conquer their fears by sticking together.

Goldfish on Vacation by Sally Lloyd-Jones

Three goldfish live in a small bowl, in an apartment building, in the middle of a big city, until one summer they get to go on vacation–in a fountain, with lily pads, and reeds, and other neighborhood goldfish. Based on a true story that happened in New York City on Riverside Drive and 76th Street at the Hamilton Fountain over the summers of 1992 to 2005.

The Boy and the Whale by Mordicai Gerstein

Abelardo defies his father’s instructions and sets out to free a whale caught in their tangled fishing net.

Barnacle is Bored by Johnathan Fenske

Barnacle is bored by the monotony of the tides, and envies the fish who swim freely–until an eel comes along.

Poor Little Guy by Elanna Allen

An octopus gets a big surprise when he chooses to pick on a tiny fish in the ocean

The Blobfish Book by Jessica Olien

This true (clever) story about the (misunderstood) Blobfish is sure to make you smile. Full of fun facts about sea creatures in the deepest reaches of the ocean, this book is perfect for any science lover.

Making squishy fishy aquariums in preschool: https://teachpreschool.org/2011/10/24/making-squishy-fishy-aquariums-in-preschool/

Sea Life

I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry

Make one or more sets of the flannel board pieces provided by http://kizclub.com.

Kids can put the sea creatures in order by size.

How to Catch Fish

Fish Eyes by Lois Ehlert

Catch diecut fish with paperclips and rods made of rulers, string, and magnets.