katereads2much's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely adorable and totally imaginative as well as beautiful - you can't want much more out of a picture book!
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
I read this story in a book store back when it first came out. I thought it was ok and moved on. But after it has been featured on so many best of 2013 lists, I figured it warranted another look.
It is a sweet story of friendship and what you would do for a friend. I think the illustrations and the soft colors that Freedman used are what spoke to me the most.
It is a sweet story of friendship and what you would do for a friend. I think the illustrations and the soft colors that Freedman used are what spoke to me the most.
libraryannemckernan's review against another edition
5.0
Very sweet friendship story with a meta twist.
jshettel's review against another edition
4.0
Another post-modern picture book about two characters who want to try out a new story. Well, Snail is not so sure HE wants to try out a new story, but Fish tries to change his mind.
ajacks's review against another edition
4.0
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debz57a52's review
2.5
Like <i>The Giving Tree</i>, I have mixed feelings about this book. If I read it as a child, I think I would enjoy the obvious friendship between the characters and the bright watercolor illustrations and the meta-awareness of the story within the book. As an adult, I see that Fish doesn't really listen to Snail when he says that he doesn't want to go anywhere. Or maybe Fish does hear this, but really doesn't want to accept it. Fish wants to get his way, wants Snail to change, is willing to leave Snail (maybe forever?) to assert his opinion about who's boss in the friendship. It's manipulative, really, and Snail falls for it (literally). Eventually, on the last page, I see Fish accepting Snail's preference for a kitten-related story, but only within the greater preference Fish asserted of leaving their story to experience another one. That's not cool. On the flip side, though, maybe the story could be a conversation starter about how Snail doesn't need friends like Fish in his life, who don't accept him for who he is, and maybe <i>The Story of Fish and Snail </i> needs a new book that completely belongs to Snail, without Fish in it.
But the artwork was certainly lovely and I did like the meta-ness of the story...
But the artwork was certainly lovely and I did like the meta-ness of the story...
lizlogan's review against another edition
4.0
An adventure story! Two friends have a fight and part ways and reunite in the most unexpected of ways. I have to say, I was handed this book to read and the ending was so surprising that I laughed out loud. A well done surprise that readers of all ages can enjoy.
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
Everyday, fish comes back to snail to tell him new stories he has found in other books besides theirs. But then one day, fish tells snail that he must come with him, that he has found another book so good he wants to show it to snail, not just tell him. But snail doesn't want to leave the book he's in.
Fish and snail exchange angry words, but when snail won't budge, fish takes a dive into the other book. But without fish, snail asks himself, how can we be The Story of Fish & Snail?
Looking over the edge of their book, snail sees the almost disappearing fish swimming in another book. And sure enough, snail takes the plunge into the new book, and finds fish, who is so happy to see his friend that their argument is forgotten. The two friends set off together on a new adventure exploring the new book.
This is just such a lovely story about courage, and taking chances and leaving the safety of what is known and familiar and venturing off to try something new and unknown.
But...
It is also a story that shows how one book is like the confines of a fish bowl, while many books open up an whole world, or in the case of fish & snail, a whole ocean of new and different adventures and people to meet and places to explore.
Some reviewers think this is too much of a metabook for the target reader of three to five years old, but I don't. They don't really have to get the metaidea. They already understand the idea of friendship.
I loved this book, I loved the story and illustrations. Both are done so gently and there is such a wonderful message about the importance of navigating the world with the help of a good friend. Using soft pastel hues, Freedman has created enchanting watercolor illustrations of The Story of Fish & Snail set against a black and white pencil (?) drawing of books on shelves.
The Story of Fish & Snail is a great read aloud story that will most likely elicit lots of discussion even with the youngest readers and it is a perfect summer book, especially for kids who may be about the begin school in September and may be feeling a little iffy about a new adventure and need a little encouragement before taking the school plunge like snail.
This book is recommended for readers age 3+
This book was obtained from the publisher
This review was originally published at Randomly Reading
Fish and snail exchange angry words, but when snail won't budge, fish takes a dive into the other book. But without fish, snail asks himself, how can we be The Story of Fish & Snail?
Looking over the edge of their book, snail sees the almost disappearing fish swimming in another book. And sure enough, snail takes the plunge into the new book, and finds fish, who is so happy to see his friend that their argument is forgotten. The two friends set off together on a new adventure exploring the new book.
This is just such a lovely story about courage, and taking chances and leaving the safety of what is known and familiar and venturing off to try something new and unknown.
But...
It is also a story that shows how one book is like the confines of a fish bowl, while many books open up an whole world, or in the case of fish & snail, a whole ocean of new and different adventures and people to meet and places to explore.
Some reviewers think this is too much of a metabook for the target reader of three to five years old, but I don't. They don't really have to get the metaidea. They already understand the idea of friendship.
I loved this book, I loved the story and illustrations. Both are done so gently and there is such a wonderful message about the importance of navigating the world with the help of a good friend. Using soft pastel hues, Freedman has created enchanting watercolor illustrations of The Story of Fish & Snail set against a black and white pencil (?) drawing of books on shelves.
The Story of Fish & Snail is a great read aloud story that will most likely elicit lots of discussion even with the youngest readers and it is a perfect summer book, especially for kids who may be about the begin school in September and may be feeling a little iffy about a new adventure and need a little encouragement before taking the school plunge like snail.
This book is recommended for readers age 3+
This book was obtained from the publisher
This review was originally published at Randomly Reading
libraryjen's review against another edition
2.0
Nice illustrations, but the story starts out a bit confusing - Fish and Snail are characters in a book but that isn't made clear until a couple spreads in. A focus on bravery and friendship and trying new things.