When assorted intruders invade his personal space and bowl, Goldfish is put out, to say the least. But time away from his new companions gives him ...
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Feb 20, 2012
Allison
rated it: 
I read this yesterday with some third graders. The story of an increasingly frustrated and desperate fish who gets his wish only to wind up bored and lonely is adorable. It's also a great book to get into character for, which the kids love.
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Oct 17, 2011
Monica!
rated it: 
Guys. If you’re ever all, "Wow, I’m in the need for a book with absolutely fantastic illustrations and a really, really pathetic goldfish," then have I got the perfect thing for you. Tim Bowers is clearly a genius, because not even in Finding Nemo has an aquarium denizen emoted so damn much with nothing but little buggy fish eyes.
Aw, he doesn’t know how bad it’s about to get.
As someone who owns her own fish tank, though, I hope that Melvin the Snail is a More...
Aw, he doesn’t know how bad it’s about to get.
As someone who owns her own fish tank, though, I hope that Melvin the Snail is a More...
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May 30, 2010
Suzanne (Chick with Books)
rated it:
Memoir of a Goldfish is, simply said, Wonderful! Beautifully illustrated by Tim Bowers! We are introduced to a clever little goldfish that loves his simple lifestyle. He recounts 14 days of his life that start out simply as, "Day One... I swam around my bowl", "Day Two... I swam around my bowl... Twice." But life even for a goldfish can get complicated and as the simple little bowl that serves as his home starts to fill up with other "fishbowl" items, such as Mr. Bu
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Aug 10, 2011
Alyssa
rated it:
I laughed out loud twice and thought of an idea to use at school this year while reading this book--needless to say, I loved it!
Goldfish is content just living life, swimming around his bowl. Then, day after day, he finds more and more intruders in his little bowl. Eventually, he has had enough and tells them to leave. A whoosh, splash, clank and plunge later, he finds himself all alone in a fresh, clean, but very small, bowl. After swimming around happily, he begins to wonder about More...
Goldfish is content just living life, swimming around his bowl. Then, day after day, he finds more and more intruders in his little bowl. Eventually, he has had enough and tells them to leave. A whoosh, splash, clank and plunge later, he finds himself all alone in a fresh, clean, but very small, bowl. After swimming around happily, he begins to wonder about More...
Jul 30, 2011
Joella
rated it:
Day one an unnamed goldfish swims around his bowl. Day two he swims around his bowl twice. And so begins the memoirs of the goldfish who finds more and more fish bowl "things" (fake plants, a bubbling scuba diver, snail, crab, fish, etc.). It gets to the point that the goldfish simply cannot take it anymore. His bowl has been taken over and there is no room to swim. Something must be done.
I love this take on "be careful what you wish for" from the perspective of More...
I love this take on "be careful what you wish for" from the perspective of More...
Dec 16, 2011
Kwilliamson
rated it:
I loved this book! This book is a diary that a goldfish keeps for 14 days describing his life. On days 1, 2, and 3 he just swims around his bowl. On days 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 more things are added to the bowl such as a snail, plants, a crab, two guppies, an angelfish, and a pirate ship. It is VERY crowded and the goldfish is cranky. On days 10, 11, and 12 he complains about everyone and everything. On day 13 he is put in a small bowl all by himself. At first he is happy but then he starts to wor
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Feb 23, 2011
Sarah
rated it: 
I came across this on our 'new books' cart and it caught my eye. It's cute! It's about a goldfish who does his thing in a fishbowl (describing his days in a journal/diary format), but then his bowl gets more and more crowded--stuff, other fish, and other creatures are added to it and he isn't happy. But before he knows it, he's taken out of the bowl and put into a tiny bowl.
While there, he realizes that he misses how crowded his bowl was and starts to wonder about how everyone/eve More...
While there, he realizes that he misses how crowded his bowl was and starts to wonder about how everyone/eve More...
Jul 01, 2011
Theresa
rated it:
Page one. I read. Page two. I read some more. Page three. I read and I laughed.
Such is the format of this book, which gets funnier and funnier with each page. While the amount of text increases with each page, so does the hilarity of the story and the illustrations. This diary format of a goldfish who does not realize and appreciate what he has until they are gone is so funny in the way it is told. Younger children will enjoy the illustrations, which are equally funny.
More...
Such is the format of this book, which gets funnier and funnier with each page. While the amount of text increases with each page, so does the hilarity of the story and the illustrations. This diary format of a goldfish who does not realize and appreciate what he has until they are gone is so funny in the way it is told. Younger children will enjoy the illustrations, which are equally funny.
More...
Sep 17, 2011
Mrs.
rated it:
I have read this book to 1st graders-4th graders, and judging by their laughter, it is a hit! Told by the goldfish, he tells you his lifestory, from his very first fishbowl to his new home. You meet his many friends (my personal favorites are Mr. Bubbles, the bowl's resident space guy statue, to Cha Cha, the fish from Hollywood).
Teachers - use this book for Ideas. Have students think of an animal and that animal's cage or habitat. What would happen if other animals and vegetation came More...
Teachers - use this book for Ideas. Have students think of an animal and that animal's cage or habitat. What would happen if other animals and vegetation came More...
Jul 13, 2011
Angela
rated it:
Laugh-out-loud-in-your-cubicle-funny*.
As the fish bowl gets crowded with new additions, our sourpuss memoirst becomes a "nervous wreck". A stint in solitary allows our goldfish time to do some thinking, so that when he lands in a cleaner, larger tank he can enjoy his big happy family and a cute new friend, to boot.
Fun and funny, this is a nice read-aloud and a good text for discussions on writing, journaling, perspective and mood.
*That should NOT be More...
As the fish bowl gets crowded with new additions, our sourpuss memoirst becomes a "nervous wreck". A stint in solitary allows our goldfish time to do some thinking, so that when he lands in a cleaner, larger tank he can enjoy his big happy family and a cute new friend, to boot.
Fun and funny, this is a nice read-aloud and a good text for discussions on writing, journaling, perspective and mood.
*That should NOT be More...
Jan 14, 2012
Gala
rated it:
When I read this story I thought will children like this story? It seems too complicated. Well, I guess a lesson on how life can change and become more complicated can be taught with this book. I found the story to be silly but fun another math tool. I think the age would be third graders because of some information would need to be known knowledge. Mr. Bubbles is not a person but has a certain job that happens for the tank and the snail cleaning the tank can be talked about with children.
Jun 23, 2011
Whitney
rated it:
Winner of the 2011 Wanda Gág Read Aloud Book Award for the best read aloud picture book for younger children (toddlers to age 8).
The illustrations are definitely the best part because they are big enough and colorful enough for story time. The story is a little too long so this book is definitely for the older end of this award's spectrum. The words don't exactly flow from my mouth easily, but the story is funny and cute so it is still enjoyable.
The illustrations are definitely the best part because they are big enough and colorful enough for story time. The story is a little too long so this book is definitely for the older end of this award's spectrum. The words don't exactly flow from my mouth easily, but the story is funny and cute so it is still enjoyable.
Jul 13, 2011
Jen
rated it:
This is one of the best children's books I've read in a long time! On day one, the fish is just swimming around in his bowl. Day after day, something new is added to the bowl that "clutters it up" and it's so cute to see what the fish's reaction to rocks and fake weeds and other silly things we put in fishbowls! My boys and I all loved this book!
Dec 04, 2011
Mari Anne
rated it:
A wonderfully inventive and entertaining picture book. The narrative is spare and to the point and hilarious! The fishbowl characters are delightful (Aidan particularly liked Mr. Bubbles). Aidan's mom loved the beautiful illustrations and the laugh out loud story! A must read for the preschool and early elementary set!
Nov 22, 2011
Joanie
rated it:
Humorous story about a goldfish and his troubles in the fishbowl. This story will make students laugh and they can count along with the book (teacher can read this near a calendar to how the days of the week). The story contains a lot of pronouns so it's good to read after introducing pronouns, to show how they are used.
Oct 19, 2011
Jeffrey
rated it:
The book is a tale about a goldfish who quickly finds his life becoming cramped as more and more guests come to stay in his fishbowl. It's fun, entertaining, and silly.
Good for parents to read to their kids but the later pages can be long winded for early readers. Still, a fun book to add to your child's library.
Good for parents to read to their kids but the later pages can be long winded for early readers. Still, a fun book to add to your child's library.
Dec 18, 2011
Anie
rated it:
This book, while being very funny and incredibly cute, is probably a bit much for children and toddlers. There is a lot going on in this book as the bowl gets more and more crowded and the Goldfish gets more and more annoyed by his new neighbors. Perhaps a good book to read with a 7 or 8 year old.
Jan 29, 2012
Jill
rated it:
This book was super cute and funny and it reminded me of Diary of a Worm.
In this book, a goldfish is just chilling in his bowl until it gets infiltrated by decorations, other fish, and so on. The goldfish is feisty and he tells them what's up.
My students really liked it and it was very fun to read!
In this book, a goldfish is just chilling in his bowl until it gets infiltrated by decorations, other fish, and so on. The goldfish is feisty and he tells them what's up.
My students really liked it and it was very fun to read!
Apr 30, 2011
Bath Book Shop
rated it:
What happens when a fishbowl gets too full? You end up with a laugh-out-loud picture books for kids of all ages. When you hear mothers reading this story to their children and the store is filled with laughter, you know the books has made a hit. Fun, expressive illustrations just had to the fun.
Dec 29, 2011
Angie
rated it:
Really cute book about a goldfish whose bowl becomes more and more crowded. I loved the illustrations and the story. It would make a great read-a-loud and I am sure kids will want to pour over the pictures and the bowl gets more and more crowded. 2012-13 Missouri Show Me Award Nominee.
Jan 09, 2012
Ali
rated it:
This book is about a fish who gets lots of different friends and accessories to his environment. At first, he doesn't really like all his new friends taking up space in his bowl; however, when he is removed for a short while, he realizes how much he missed all his new friends.
Feb 16, 2011
Westerville
rated it:
"Anyone who's ever owned a fishbowl or aquarium should identify with Goldfish's plights as outlined in his diary. Hilarious." - Becky, Teen Librarian
Reserve a library copy!
Reserve a library copy!
Oct 01, 2010
Shira
rated it:
This book is a great way to introduce the genre memiors to young children. In this text the goldfish discusses what his life is like in his fish bowl. Then all of a sudden things take a turn, that he is not so happy about, but soon he begins to feel differently.
Aug 24, 2010
Erin
rated it:
A day-by-day account of the life of a goldfish. The goldfish is happy until one day new intruders come to live in his fish bowl. The illustrations are awesome and it's really funny. It's one of the better pictures books I've read in a while!
Jan 16, 2012
Nora
rated it:
Diary of a Worm has a challenger. This goldfish tells us about his day, and has some humor and twists to keep kids laughing.
Aug 07, 2011
Miss Asima
rated it:
Beyond cute! Me and my son loved this book. I really enjoyed reading this and he enjoyed listening. Plus, we both loved the illustrations! They really draw your attention. The ending may have been my favorite part. So cute! :)
Jun 11, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
One of the most adorable and fun childrens books ever! I have storytime in my store and I can't wait to read this to the kids. It's going to be so fun to read and I know it will be a hit! It made me laugh and smile!
Feb 22, 2012
carissa
rated it:
"Day One
I swam around my bowl.
Day Two
I swam around my bowl. Twice.
And so it goes in this tell-all tale from a goldfish.
With his bowl to himself and his simple routine, Goldfish loves his life…until one day…
When assorted intruders including a hyperactive bubbler, a grime-eating snail, a pair of amorous guppies, and a really crabby crab invade his personal space and bowl, Goldfish is put out, to say the least. He wants none of it More...
I swam around my bowl.
Day Two
I swam around my bowl. Twice.
And so it goes in this tell-all tale from a goldfish.
With his bowl to himself and his simple routine, Goldfish loves his life…until one day…
When assorted intruders including a hyperactive bubbler, a grime-eating snail, a pair of amorous guppies, and a really crabby crab invade his personal space and bowl, Goldfish is put out, to say the least. He wants none of it More...
Jun 29, 2010
Dina
rated it:
Cute story of a goldfish alone in a bowl and what happens as the owner starts adding decorations and more fish. Illustrations seem to mesh perfectly with the text, and provide additional humor to the story.
May 21, 2010
Julia
rated it:
Have you ever wondered what a goldfish does all day in that small glass bowl? Memoirs of a goldfish follows the adorable confusion a gold fish goes through when you start to expand your aquarium.
