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The Wishes of the Fish King
"Fairy tales say that apples were golden only to refresh the forgotten moment when we found that they were green. They make rivers run with wine only to make us remember, for one wild moment, that they run with water." --G.K. Chesteron, Orthodoxy
Penned by author, poet, and lyricist Douglas Kaine McKelvey and illustrated by painter Jamin Still, "The Wishes of the Fish King" is a lyrical, luminous, hardback picture book, capturing the magic of that brief season when a child first ponders the wonder-filled world.
The story unfolds as a bright reminiscing, a joyful ache that hovers in that wonder-filled space between fantasy and reality. Expressed in the voice of a parent but seen through the innocent eyes and fantastic imagination of a child, "The Wishes of the Fish King" is all about "making us remember, for one wild moment," the wonders of this brief, shared life. This is a story meant for generations to read aloud, share, and delight in together!
Penned by author, poet, and lyricist Douglas Kaine McKelvey and illustrated by painter Jamin Still, "The Wishes of the Fish King" is a lyrical, luminous, hardback picture book, capturing the magic of that brief season when a child first ponders the wonder-filled world.
The story unfolds as a bright reminiscing, a joyful ache that hovers in that wonder-filled space between fantasy and reality. Expressed in the voice of a parent but seen through the innocent eyes and fantastic imagination of a child, "The Wishes of the Fish King" is all about "making us remember, for one wild moment," the wonders of this brief, shared life. This is a story meant for generations to read aloud, share, and delight in together!
36 pages, Hardcover
Published November 28, 2016
154 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Kaine McKelvey
20 books190 followersThe remote descendant of Scottish horse-thieving ancestors, Douglas Kaine McKelvey has already bested the dubious achievements of his predecessors by penning five published books and penning lyrics for more than 250 songs recorded by a variety of artists including Kenny Rogers, Switchfoot, and Jason Gray.
Douglas is currently completing the manuscript for a YA sci-fi/fantasy novel and making slow progress on a companion volume to "Every Moment Holy."
McKelvey was born in New Hampshire and raised in East Texas, but now dwells in the long shadows somewhere south of Nashville with his Norwegianish wife. They have three half-Norwegianish adult daughters and two sons-in-law.
He also has a small, fearless dog that believes it can fly.
Douglas is currently completing the manuscript for a YA sci-fi/fantasy novel and making slow progress on a companion volume to "Every Moment Holy."
McKelvey was born in New Hampshire and raised in East Texas, but now dwells in the long shadows somewhere south of Nashville with his Norwegianish wife. They have three half-Norwegianish adult daughters and two sons-in-law.
He also has a small, fearless dog that believes it can fly.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 27, 2016
The Wishes of the Fish King by Douglas Kaine McKelvey and Jamin Still (Illustrator) is a strange little tale for kids but at the same time it is very captivating. The illustrations are wonderful especially the Fish King himself. (as shown on the cover) A delightful book for kids.
December 21, 2016
A gorgeous picture book told in beautiful verse. My 9, 7, and 5 year olds were delighted by the way that the words played in their minds while they explored the illustrations with all of its hidden pictures and nods to classic fairy tale ideas. It really is a picture book for book lovers because it feels like a new story in a beloved and familiar old world.
December 26, 2016
Beautiful, poetically inspiring, laced with love
This book is best used for a loving adult to read to a child. It soars with imagination and adventure, yet each scene ends safe and sound. The story is masterfully illustrated with characters and scenes the reader will want to savor often. Thanks for giving this old legend a lovely new setting.
This book is best used for a loving adult to read to a child. It soars with imagination and adventure, yet each scene ends safe and sound. The story is masterfully illustrated with characters and scenes the reader will want to savor often. Thanks for giving this old legend a lovely new setting.
June 1, 2017
The art and story go hand in hand so beautifully
Both the art and prose create a dreamlike feel, a sense of peacefulness and relaxation as they reflect upon a perfect time a family shared and wishes to remember. I picked this up for some voracious young readers I know and feel it's a great "last read" of the night for kids who frequently yearn for one more story, as the feeling from this book is a great one to have in your heart and mind as the light is turned out - a combination of joy, wonder, fond remembrance, and fanciful speculation.
Both the art and prose create a dreamlike feel, a sense of peacefulness and relaxation as they reflect upon a perfect time a family shared and wishes to remember. I picked this up for some voracious young readers I know and feel it's a great "last read" of the night for kids who frequently yearn for one more story, as the feeling from this book is a great one to have in your heart and mind as the light is turned out - a combination of joy, wonder, fond remembrance, and fanciful speculation.
May 24, 2018
The artwork is beautiful, and reminded a bit of the work of artist, Charles Vess. I can see parents encouraging their children to find hidden animals/objects in the earth-like, fantasy landscape. The "poetic" prose is okay, but I did not figure out what the wishes of the Fish King were. Still, the imaginative adventure will spark good dreams when reading to/with your children at bedtime.
August 20, 2024
Oh mylanta. This book is so beautiful, on all the levels--the story, the illustrations, the depth, the everything.
I'm not sure what I expected when I picked it up, but holy smokes. I. Love. It.
The illustrations have layer upon layer of literary references, and the storyline is just so sweet. LOVE.
I'm not sure what I expected when I picked it up, but holy smokes. I. Love. It.
The illustrations have layer upon layer of literary references, and the storyline is just so sweet. LOVE.
November 22, 2025
The Wishes of the Fish King is a children's picture book celebrating the wonder of the world.
The verse is okay; the art is outstanding. It reminded me of the 'magic in the mundane'; how the world around us is beautiful, amazing, and astounding, but we often lose sight of it. I've heard that reading it out loud to children makes it better.
The verse is okay; the art is outstanding. It reminded me of the 'magic in the mundane'; how the world around us is beautiful, amazing, and astounding, but we often lose sight of it. I've heard that reading it out loud to children makes it better.
May 13, 2017
Beautiful and poetic in word and pictures, too.
Thinking about childhood imaginings, all those glorious adventures mom and dad and brother and me. I enjoyed the word imagery here and the excellent musings of the artist.
Thinking about childhood imaginings, all those glorious adventures mom and dad and brother and me. I enjoyed the word imagery here and the excellent musings of the artist.
July 6, 2024
Utterly enchanting! Four stars because the Kindle edition has text going over the illustrations that is distracting in some places. A little more work on formatting and this would be a book I'd invest in a hard copy of and keep forever.
June 16, 2017
The poetry and pictures in this book were exceptionally beautiful. The rating is from the children.
June 27, 2017
Beautifully written with illustrations that had me wanting to sit quietly and explore the pages even after I'd finished reading the words.
February 2, 2020
Beautiful!
February 16, 2021
Such lovely wishes
McKelvey hypnotizes with his words. Their beauty, coupled with these lovely illustrations, make this picture book captivating for young and old alike.
McKelvey hypnotizes with his words. Their beauty, coupled with these lovely illustrations, make this picture book captivating for young and old alike.
February 16, 2020
Beautiful book. A meandering poem about the magic of early childhood.
McKelvey's free verse is dreamy, nostalgic and perhaps a bit melancholy. The words build a picture in my mind of father and daughter gazing through a window, imagining adventures yet to come and remembering those past. I've read these words several times now, and as I turn the final page I wonder: where is mama now? Washing dishes? At work? Gone from this mortal coil?
But these are grown-up questions, and I mention them only to share that there is depth in this book.
Still's illustrations are dark and mysterious. Fantastical. The artwork is lit as if by enchantment, and there are many surprising details on each spread. They, too, capture the mind and leave me wondering.
I suspect this is not a book for everyone. The free verse is lovely, but it takes practice to read aloud. Without an obvious plot or rhyme and rhythm, some families may be unsure how to enjoy it.
But, to my mind, its lyrical poetry is beautiful.
McKelvey's free verse is dreamy, nostalgic and perhaps a bit melancholy. The words build a picture in my mind of father and daughter gazing through a window, imagining adventures yet to come and remembering those past. I've read these words several times now, and as I turn the final page I wonder: where is mama now? Washing dishes? At work? Gone from this mortal coil?
But these are grown-up questions, and I mention them only to share that there is depth in this book.
Still's illustrations are dark and mysterious. Fantastical. The artwork is lit as if by enchantment, and there are many surprising details on each spread. They, too, capture the mind and leave me wondering.
I suspect this is not a book for everyone. The free verse is lovely, but it takes practice to read aloud. Without an obvious plot or rhyme and rhythm, some families may be unsure how to enjoy it.
But, to my mind, its lyrical poetry is beautiful.
December 15, 2016
Beautiful story and breathtaking illustrations.
December 15, 2016
Beautiful story and illustrations.
December 17, 2016
Beautiful!
A lovely trip to a magical place! Really enjoyed it! The illustrations are so detailed with hidden surprises and great vibes.
A lovely trip to a magical place! Really enjoyed it! The illustrations are so detailed with hidden surprises and great vibes.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews