One Fishy Tale
A Lesson for Little Ones based on Not Norman by Kelly Bennett
A blood-curdling scream drew our family to the stairway. Richie’s Egyptian skink had escaped its aquarium and sat perched on the top step, eye to eye with then three-year-old Harrison. We still laugh over the terror caused by a six-inch lizard.
Over the years, pets have played an important, albeit not always so dramatic, part in our family life. A menagerie of typical and unusual animals have shared our home and yard: dogs, cats, goats, ducks, salamanders, newts, hermit crabs, and the infamous skink (once deemed the “best birthday present ever,” Harrison’s fear to the contrary).
Just as Harrison found a skink to be an unsuitable pet, so a goldfish wasn’t the kind of pet one boy had in mind. Now, it’s up to Norman’s goldfishy ways to win him over in this adorable and humorous book.
Unwanted Gifts: Point out the goldfish bowl-shaped present on the title page. We know that it is the boy’s birthday by looking at the next page. Ask your child what clues the artist gives us. Sometimes we receive gifts that we aren’t sure we want. Not Norman provides an opportunity to review gift etiquette. Discuss what your child should say when receiving a gift. Explain that your child may be grateful for the giver’s thoughtfulness even if he does not care for the gift. Discuss how to handle receiving a gift that is like something you already own.
While reading Not Norman, you have the opportunity to point out that what the boy thought was an unwanted gift—the wrong kind of pet—turned out to be the perfect fit. Often fathers and mothers know better than children what would benefit children long-term.
Repetitious Text: The first time we read about the fish swimming “around and around and around and around . . .” we laughed together. Discuss why the author chose to use the same words repeatedly. How does the use of repetitious text convey the idea that a fish is a boring pet?
Pets: Early in the book, the boy learns that it is important to care for his pet by keeping its bowl clean. Make a list of pet-care chores that are important: cleaning tanks for fish, feeding, giving water to other animals, perhaps cleaning bedding, clipping nails, and so on. Pet care is so important that there are books devoted to the subject. Can your child find the book the boy received? Emphasize the importance of this responsibility.
The Story in the Pictures: Kelly Bennett and Noah Z. Jones use an interesting technique that weaves together the words and pictures of the story. Look at the page where the boy meets his friend Austin, his dog, and his seven puppies. While Austin and the boy talk, what is happening in the picture? Why must the boy rescue Norman? Find another page where the picture, not the text, tells the story.
Nighttime Fears: It is normal for children to feel fearful in the dark. What comforted the boy? Discuss ways that your child deals with his nighttime fears. What Bible verses will bring him comfort? Teach him Joshua 1:5.
Surprise Ending: The boy takes Norman to the pet store, just as he said he would, but what does he buy? [Answer: a new aquarium for Norman] Why does he decide not to trade Norman for another pet? Make a trip to a local pet store. Look at the many pet choices. Which does your child think is the best? Be prepared to bring home a two-gallon bowl, gravel, water plants, a castle, and goldfish!
About Fish: Norman behaves in a way typical of goldfish—except when he waves! Find out all about goldfish from What’s It Like to Be a Fish? This simple, picture-book introduction to the underwater world will teach your child many fish-related terms such as aquarium, fins, scales, gills, food chain, and cold-blooded. Make a list of the ways God made fish fit to live underwater. Use the simple instructions at the back of the book to set up a goldfish bowl.
Not Norman is a fun introduction to the world of pet fish. Read it together with your little ones for some underwater learning.
Resources
Not Norman: A Goldfish Story by Kelly Bennett (Candlewick, 2005).
What’s It Like to Be a Fish? by Wendy Pfeffer (HarperCollins, 1996), Part of the Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science Series.