Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet

by Kelly DiPucchio, Bob Shea (Illustrator)

Overview

Gilbert has almost everything his fishy heart could desire: a castle, a chest filled with treasure, and food that falls from the sky. But there's one BIG thing missing from his life: a pet. And so begins Gilbert's harrowing search for the perfect fishbowl companion - a search filled with loud barking, quiet buzzing, and one giant whiskered surprise!

With snappy, rhythmic text and the most irresistible goldfish in picture book history, this tale of fish woe and triumph will make readers long for a pet as lovable as Gilbert.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780803733947
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	06/09/2011
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	510L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Kelly DiPucchio is the New York Times bestselling author of Grace for President and coauthor of The Sandwich Swap. She lives in Macomb, Michigan.

Bob Shea wrote and illustrated the award-winning hit Dinosaur vs. Bedtime. He lives in Madison, Connecticut.

Editorial Reviews

The well-worn premise of longing for the ideal pet gets a quirky tweak in DiPucchio's (Grace for President) story, which plays out humorously in Shea's (Dinosaur vs. the Potty) free-wheeling digital illustrations. Limited to his fishbowl, Gilbert can't do any searching, but he eagerly watches as potential pets approach. The arrival of a friendly, barking dog initially delights Gilbert (his owners appear to be dog-sitting), but he "never dreamed his pet would be so noisy." Next, a mouse appears and excitedly sniffs at the bowl, thinking Gilbert is a chunk of cheddar, then runs off when she realizes her error. Kids with a dark sense of humor will appreciate the second half of the book: another candidate—an amiable fly—has an unfortunate encounter with a fly swatter, and DiPucchio builds tension regarding the identity of the final "pet," which has a "long tail and wiry whiskers" and is slyly pictured in silhouette at first. Shea's bright, high-contrast artwork has a TV cartoon vibe and is in playful sync with the tale, which ends happily for all (except for the fly). Ages 3–5. (June)

Publishers Weekly

Shea’s big, brightly colored graphic-style scenes fill in the details." — Booklist

“A fresh, funny take on a popular topic—the perfect pet.” — Kirkus

“Shea’s bright, high-contrast artwork has a TV cartoon vibe.” — Publishers Weekly

“Shea’s bold, expressive illustrations elevate this to a higher plane.” — School Library Journal

“Pet lovers of all age will approve.” — Viginian-Pilot

From the Publisher

Pet lovers of all age will approve.

Viginian-Pilot

Shea’s big, brightly colored graphic-style scenes fill in the details."

Booklist

PreS-Gr 1—At first glance, it would seem that Gilbert Goldfish has it made: castle, treasure chest, and a steady supply of tasty flakes falling from the sky into his bowl. But sadness overwhelms him. Gilbert's deepest desire is to have a pet of his own, to care for and love. Finding the right one is no easy task for a goldfish, though. The visiting dog is too loud, the mouse too rude (he shuns Gilbert once he determines that the fish is not a big chunk of cheddar), and the fly—well, what happens to the fly is too tragic to talk about. Finally, Gilbert thinks he has found the perfect pet, but readers may fear for his safety. Will all end in happiness or a calamity? The clever text stands on its own, but Shea's bold, expressive illustrations elevate this title to a higher plane. Wavy orange endpapers establish the watery setting and bright palette. Gilbert exudes emotion, whether love, horror, or sadness. With its mix of humor, mild shock (that fly again), and surprise ending, Gilbert Goldfish is a perfect choice for storytime and bedtime.—Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR

School Library Journal

Although he has a stone castle, a treasure chest of gold and tasty flakes that drop "from the sky just in time for breakfast each day," Gilbert desperately wants one more thing: a pet. Forget about questions like how he would feed it and where he would keep it; dreams don't have to be practical. Gilbert imagines himself with all sorts of pets, from a ladybug to a horse, an elephant to a bear, and a pelican to a bunny. One morning, it seems his dreams do come true! He awakens to a dog barking at his bowl. Gilbert is thrilled! But soon, the dog's antics—running in circles, barking (and barking and barking), drinking from the fish bowl—wear Gilbert out. He's a little relieved when the dog-visitor leaves. Next comes a mouse, and then a fly. Poor Gilbert! The last pet to arrive has a "long tail" and "wiry whiskers." Gilbert is cautious, but decides this is "the perfect pet!" Unfortunately, this one is hungry...A surprise ending gives Gilbert just what he deserves, while giving readers a taste of thrilling suspense. Both the story and illustrations are sure to delight. This will be a storytime favorite, requested over and over. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green

Children's Literature - Heidi Hauser Green

A fresh, funnytake on a popular topic—the perfect pet.

Gilbert is a happy, happy goldfish, except for one very important thing. He desperately wants a pet. Not surprisingly, when a dog arrives and befriends Gilbert, the little fish is over the moon. That is, until all that barking begins to irritate his nerves. Gilbert is happy when the yappy dog departs, but he still wants a pet. Next to come by is a mouse. Gilbert thinks she will make the perfect pet, but she disappears once she realizes that though he is orange, Gilbert is not, in fact, a piece of cheese. Gilbert next meets a fly, but that relationship quickly ends with the unceremonious "Thwack!" of a fly-swatter. Poor Gilbert. Will he ever find the perfect pet? Shea's bright, cartoonlike illustrations place the emphasis on Gilbert's emotional rollercoaster. His excitement and disappointment as he gets to know each possible pet are palpable, with swift digital semicircles charting his ups and downs.

Pair with Emma Dodd's What Pet to Get (2008) or Fiona Robertson's Wanted: The Perfect Pet (2010) for surefire pet-centric fun. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews