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Freaky, Funky Fish: Odd Facts about Fascinating Fish
From zapping, stinging, even singing, to playing dead or having a see-through head, discover the interesting things different fish do to survive in this delightful non-fiction picture book.
Fish have fins and gills and tails. All fish swim and most have scales. But not all fish act or look the same. From zapping, stinging, even singing, Freaky, Funky Odd Facts about Fascinating Fish is an adorable picture book with a scientific—and child-friendly—underpinning. With examples of different fish for each description, as well as extensive backmatter explaining the fascinating science behind these variety of fish, this funky book captures the wonder of our ecosystem.
Fish have fins and gills and tails. All fish swim and most have scales. But not all fish act or look the same. From zapping, stinging, even singing, Freaky, Funky Odd Facts about Fascinating Fish is an adorable picture book with a scientific—and child-friendly—underpinning. With examples of different fish for each description, as well as extensive backmatter explaining the fascinating science behind these variety of fish, this funky book captures the wonder of our ecosystem.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published May 4, 2021
120 people want to read
About the author
Debra Kempf Shumaker
5 books33 followersDebra started reading at the age of four and hasn't stopped since. She grew up on a small dairy farm in Wisconsin but now lives in the suburbs of Northern Virginia with her husband, three sons, and two cats.
She is the author of picture books FREAKY, FUNKY FISH and PECULIAR PRIMATES with Running Press Kids, TELL SOMEONE with Albert Whitman, and the upcoming WIND IS A DANCE with Running Press Kids.
She is the author of picture books FREAKY, FUNKY FISH and PECULIAR PRIMATES with Running Press Kids, TELL SOMEONE with Albert Whitman, and the upcoming WIND IS A DANCE with Running Press Kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
June 27, 2021
Children’s nonfiction books about fish are few and far between. I have a few in my school library, but none that I think kids will pick up and read when they’re browsing. An awesome new book, Freaky, Funky Fish, on other hand, screams ‘PICK ME UP!’ I guarantee that this book will leave kids and adults alike fascinated by fish.
Debra Kempf Shumaker and Claire Powell introduce us to fish of all kinds. Inside this book there are fish that zap, sting and sing, fish that can fly, climb and squirt, and fish that use their special abilities to survive. The simple text throughout the book and the entertaining illustrations makes this a book perfect for preschoolers right through to older children, and everyone will find something that fascinates them. Each fish has a freaky or funky rating (you find this throughout the book and in the ‘Fish Inventory,’ which makes up the endpapers). In the back of the book there is more information about the different types of fish, as well as books and links to videos where you can find out more. This book is a wonderful introduction to a wide variety of fish and the author has included these great suggestions for finding further information.
Freaky, Funky Fish: Odd Facts About Fascinating Fish is one of the most awesome nonfiction books for kids. It is a whole lot of fun to read and it’s packed full of quirky fish facts. The cover is absolutely fin-tastic, with the holographic foil that draws readers towards it like an anglerfish’s glowing lure draws prey. You’re drawn to its shinyness and then you need to know what is inside.
Debra Kempf Schumaker’s text is accessible to a wide range of ages, so it’s great for children to read by themselves or for an adult to read aloud. I love that it is the kind of nonfiction book that less-confident readers can pick up and read, and there are lots of visual cues about the traits of the fish in the illustrations. If a teacher or librarian was reading it to a group, you could just read the story first, then go back to look at the illustrations in more detail. I absolutely love Claire Powell’s illustrations! Claire has given each of the fish a different personality and they have some much character. I have read this book so many times, because I love going back to Claire’s illustrations. So many of her illustrations make me laugh (their expressions are hilarious!) but I think my favourite is the female anglerfish, with the male anglerfish attached to her.
Allen and Unwin should be applauded for the thought that has gone in to the production of this book. The design of the book is stunning, from the holographic foil to the endpapers, and it deserves to be published in hardback. The love that has gone into the writing, illustrating, and design of this book will make it a winner with its target audience.
Freaky, Funky Fish is a must-have book in any school library, and any lover of aquatic creatures should have a copy of their own.
Debra Kempf Shumaker and Claire Powell introduce us to fish of all kinds. Inside this book there are fish that zap, sting and sing, fish that can fly, climb and squirt, and fish that use their special abilities to survive. The simple text throughout the book and the entertaining illustrations makes this a book perfect for preschoolers right through to older children, and everyone will find something that fascinates them. Each fish has a freaky or funky rating (you find this throughout the book and in the ‘Fish Inventory,’ which makes up the endpapers). In the back of the book there is more information about the different types of fish, as well as books and links to videos where you can find out more. This book is a wonderful introduction to a wide variety of fish and the author has included these great suggestions for finding further information.
Freaky, Funky Fish: Odd Facts About Fascinating Fish is one of the most awesome nonfiction books for kids. It is a whole lot of fun to read and it’s packed full of quirky fish facts. The cover is absolutely fin-tastic, with the holographic foil that draws readers towards it like an anglerfish’s glowing lure draws prey. You’re drawn to its shinyness and then you need to know what is inside.
Debra Kempf Schumaker’s text is accessible to a wide range of ages, so it’s great for children to read by themselves or for an adult to read aloud. I love that it is the kind of nonfiction book that less-confident readers can pick up and read, and there are lots of visual cues about the traits of the fish in the illustrations. If a teacher or librarian was reading it to a group, you could just read the story first, then go back to look at the illustrations in more detail. I absolutely love Claire Powell’s illustrations! Claire has given each of the fish a different personality and they have some much character. I have read this book so many times, because I love going back to Claire’s illustrations. So many of her illustrations make me laugh (their expressions are hilarious!) but I think my favourite is the female anglerfish, with the male anglerfish attached to her.
Allen and Unwin should be applauded for the thought that has gone in to the production of this book. The design of the book is stunning, from the holographic foil to the endpapers, and it deserves to be published in hardback. The love that has gone into the writing, illustrating, and design of this book will make it a winner with its target audience.
Freaky, Funky Fish is a must-have book in any school library, and any lover of aquatic creatures should have a copy of their own.
June 3, 2021
3.5 stars. We have seen some excellent non-fiction books exploring out ocean life recently. The humour in this one is what sets it apart, and might make it a popular choice amongst students. Personally, I liked the more realistic illustration style of some similar books.
July 31, 2023
Perfect picture book to read before you take the kiddos to the aquarium.
May 30, 2021
The design of this book is so outstanding, creative, and engaging! This is definitely a “knock my socks off” picture book – 5/5 for me. Shumaker created a perfectly minimal rhyming text that puts fish in categories of how they are freaky or funky, and paired this text with informative back matter. This combination invites a wide range of readers. The illustrations are genius! I love the rating system – an opportunity for kids to analyze and evaluate. The images are fun and fascinating and bring some of the back matter into each page. The endpapers look like a scientists logbook - a spreadsheet and a map right off the bat – I was totally wowed before I hit the title page! This is an amazing example of informational nonfiction with so much to pore over and enjoy!
March 13, 2023
«Fische haben Kiemen, Flossen, einen Schwanz. Alle Fische schwimmen, viele tragen schönen Schuppenglanz.»
Alle Fische leben im Wasser, haben Flossen und Kiemen. Aber da hört auch die Gemeinsamkeit auch auf. Manche zappeln, «singen», blinken, «tanzen» und fliegen sogar! Debra Kempf-Shumaker und Claire Powell nehmen uns mit auf eine Reise durch die «ausgeflippte» Welt der Fische. Los geht es mit den Fiesen, den Elektroschockern, wie dem Zitteraal und dem Himmelsgucker – und Fischen, die stechen, wie dem Feuerfisch und dem Skorpionfisch.
«Singende» Fische, schmoddrige, einen, der wild um sich schlägt, «tanzende» Fische, einen mit gläsernem Gesicht, blinkende, schrumpfende, schleimige, kriechende, spritzende Fische – einer klettert an Land empor. Zunächst werden die Fische nach ihrem Besonderheiten grafisch vorgestellt und namentlich jeweils beschriftet. Es sind herrlich witzige Zeichnungen! Die Themen werden kurz in Reimform begleitet. Erst auf den letzten drei Seiten wird ein Sachtext geliefert, erklärt, weshalb die Fische diese Eigenschaften besitzen. Diese Informationen hätte ich mir passend zu den Fischen gewünscht – aber gut, immerhin sind sie in Kurzform vorhanden, man kann zurückblättern. Am Ende finden wir «das ausgeflippte Fischometer», das mich völlig verwirrt hat. Hier werden die Fische Kategorie geteilt, wie z.B. Schüttler, Fischart (z.B. Hammerhaie), schwimmt («in warmen tropischen Gebieten, klingt nett»), die Kategorie, die den Lebensraum bestimmt. Fische schwimmen alle, völlig klar, dass sie nicht laufen. Warum nimmt man nicht das Wort Lebensraum? Und die letzte Einteilung ist «Stufe» («absolut horrormäßig, Schauerstufe 5/5»). Der Hammerhai ist also ein Horrorfisch? Hier werden Horrorgrade und Ausflippgrade bestimmt. Auf der einen Seite zeigt das Kinderbuch zunächst einen Sachbuchcharakter und am Ende wird es horrormäßig unsachlich, in dem die Fische vermenschlicht werden. Singen und tanzen – damit geht es eigentlich los. Fische geben Geräusche von sich, manche kommunizieren sogar. Fische balzen in zuckenden Bewegungen. Das Singen und Tanzen würde ich gerade so durchgehen lassen, um eine geistige Vorstellung für Kinder zu geben. Aber weshalb ist ein Fisch horrormäßig oder flippig? Weil die Autor:innen das so empfinden? Das ist völliger Blödsinn – es sind natürliche Schutzmechanismen, die im Laufe der Evolution sich als nützlich erwiesen. Hier werden Kindern Dinge suggeriert, die völlig unsachlich dargestellt sind. Darum würde ich dem Buch nur einen halben Sachkinderbuchfaktor geben.
Die Grafiken von Claire Powell sind klasse, in Mehrfachtechnik gestaltet, mit gutem Wiedererkennungswert für den jeweiligen Fisch. Das Buch kann eine Anregung für Kinder sein, sich mit Fischen zu beschäftigen, ein Einsteigerbuch. Witzig sind auch die gereimten Texte. Der Thienemann Verlag gibt eine Altersempfehlung ab 4 Jahren. Von mir gibt es die Empfehlung ab 3 Jahren, da die Grafiken ansprechend sind, wenig Text haben und der Informationsgehalt am Ende auch kurz gehalten ist.
Debra Kempf Shumaker liebt schräge und faszinierende Fakten über unsere Welt. Wenn sie nicht gerade schreibt oder liest, kocht, fotografiert und gärtnert sie gerne. Sie lebt mit ihrem Mann, drei Söhnen und zwei Katzen in Nord-Virginia. „Ausgeflippte Fische“ ist ihr erstes Bilderbuch.
Claire Powell ist Kinderbuchillustratorin und Grafikdesignerin. Sie hat mit vielen großen TV- und Filmfirmen zusammengearbeitet, darunter Nickelodeon, CBBC und DreamWorks. Derzeit lebt Powell in London.
Alle Fische leben im Wasser, haben Flossen und Kiemen. Aber da hört auch die Gemeinsamkeit auch auf. Manche zappeln, «singen», blinken, «tanzen» und fliegen sogar! Debra Kempf-Shumaker und Claire Powell nehmen uns mit auf eine Reise durch die «ausgeflippte» Welt der Fische. Los geht es mit den Fiesen, den Elektroschockern, wie dem Zitteraal und dem Himmelsgucker – und Fischen, die stechen, wie dem Feuerfisch und dem Skorpionfisch.
«Singende» Fische, schmoddrige, einen, der wild um sich schlägt, «tanzende» Fische, einen mit gläsernem Gesicht, blinkende, schrumpfende, schleimige, kriechende, spritzende Fische – einer klettert an Land empor. Zunächst werden die Fische nach ihrem Besonderheiten grafisch vorgestellt und namentlich jeweils beschriftet. Es sind herrlich witzige Zeichnungen! Die Themen werden kurz in Reimform begleitet. Erst auf den letzten drei Seiten wird ein Sachtext geliefert, erklärt, weshalb die Fische diese Eigenschaften besitzen. Diese Informationen hätte ich mir passend zu den Fischen gewünscht – aber gut, immerhin sind sie in Kurzform vorhanden, man kann zurückblättern. Am Ende finden wir «das ausgeflippte Fischometer», das mich völlig verwirrt hat. Hier werden die Fische Kategorie geteilt, wie z.B. Schüttler, Fischart (z.B. Hammerhaie), schwimmt («in warmen tropischen Gebieten, klingt nett»), die Kategorie, die den Lebensraum bestimmt. Fische schwimmen alle, völlig klar, dass sie nicht laufen. Warum nimmt man nicht das Wort Lebensraum? Und die letzte Einteilung ist «Stufe» («absolut horrormäßig, Schauerstufe 5/5»). Der Hammerhai ist also ein Horrorfisch? Hier werden Horrorgrade und Ausflippgrade bestimmt. Auf der einen Seite zeigt das Kinderbuch zunächst einen Sachbuchcharakter und am Ende wird es horrormäßig unsachlich, in dem die Fische vermenschlicht werden. Singen und tanzen – damit geht es eigentlich los. Fische geben Geräusche von sich, manche kommunizieren sogar. Fische balzen in zuckenden Bewegungen. Das Singen und Tanzen würde ich gerade so durchgehen lassen, um eine geistige Vorstellung für Kinder zu geben. Aber weshalb ist ein Fisch horrormäßig oder flippig? Weil die Autor:innen das so empfinden? Das ist völliger Blödsinn – es sind natürliche Schutzmechanismen, die im Laufe der Evolution sich als nützlich erwiesen. Hier werden Kindern Dinge suggeriert, die völlig unsachlich dargestellt sind. Darum würde ich dem Buch nur einen halben Sachkinderbuchfaktor geben.
Die Grafiken von Claire Powell sind klasse, in Mehrfachtechnik gestaltet, mit gutem Wiedererkennungswert für den jeweiligen Fisch. Das Buch kann eine Anregung für Kinder sein, sich mit Fischen zu beschäftigen, ein Einsteigerbuch. Witzig sind auch die gereimten Texte. Der Thienemann Verlag gibt eine Altersempfehlung ab 4 Jahren. Von mir gibt es die Empfehlung ab 3 Jahren, da die Grafiken ansprechend sind, wenig Text haben und der Informationsgehalt am Ende auch kurz gehalten ist.
Debra Kempf Shumaker liebt schräge und faszinierende Fakten über unsere Welt. Wenn sie nicht gerade schreibt oder liest, kocht, fotografiert und gärtnert sie gerne. Sie lebt mit ihrem Mann, drei Söhnen und zwei Katzen in Nord-Virginia. „Ausgeflippte Fische“ ist ihr erstes Bilderbuch.
Claire Powell ist Kinderbuchillustratorin und Grafikdesignerin. Sie hat mit vielen großen TV- und Filmfirmen zusammengearbeitet, darunter Nickelodeon, CBBC und DreamWorks. Derzeit lebt Powell in London.
August 9, 2021
Fish have fins
and gills
and tails.
All fish swim
and most have scales.
But... (page turn)
some fish zap
and some fish sting (page turn)
Did you know that some fish sing?
Entertaining, rhyming text that introduces the idea that fish are a lot more than fins, gills, and tails. The cartoonish illustrations of an ABUNDANCE of fish (with labels naming each one) and humor (each fish is rated on a freakiness scale) will draw your PreK-2nd grade students into listening and back again to read on their own. Great for launching a unit of inquiry/study on different types of fish.
DON'T SKIP THE BACK MATTER. There's a section on each of the categories of fish (e.g., those that zap, sting, sing, etc.) I found this just as fun to read as the main text and imagine our students would too.
PAIR OR CONTRAST WITH - For 1st-3rd, Fish Everywhere by Teckentrup which explores the wide variety of fish and includes realistic illustrations. For PreK-kinder, read aloud Flying Frogs and Walking Fish by Jenkins which reinforces similar themes-that fish are much more interesting than some may think.
and gills
and tails.
All fish swim
and most have scales.
But... (page turn)
some fish zap
and some fish sting (page turn)
Did you know that some fish sing?
Entertaining, rhyming text that introduces the idea that fish are a lot more than fins, gills, and tails. The cartoonish illustrations of an ABUNDANCE of fish (with labels naming each one) and humor (each fish is rated on a freakiness scale) will draw your PreK-2nd grade students into listening and back again to read on their own. Great for launching a unit of inquiry/study on different types of fish.
DON'T SKIP THE BACK MATTER. There's a section on each of the categories of fish (e.g., those that zap, sting, sing, etc.) I found this just as fun to read as the main text and imagine our students would too.
PAIR OR CONTRAST WITH - For 1st-3rd, Fish Everywhere by Teckentrup which explores the wide variety of fish and includes realistic illustrations. For PreK-kinder, read aloud Flying Frogs and Walking Fish by Jenkins which reinforces similar themes-that fish are much more interesting than some may think.
May 19, 2021
I won this book in a drawing and am delighted to have a chance to see it before I share it with my grandchildren. It's chock full of fascinating facts about fish. I already knew a lot about marine life, but I learned even more from this fun book--things like how the hagfish uses slime to protect itself and how the male anglerfish attaches to the female for life and shrinks very small. The main part of the book is great for younger children, and the back part has lots of additional information for curious older kids. The illustrations in the book are also great because they add a bit of humor to text. I highly recommend this book.
August 11, 2023
Learn amazing facts about fascinating fish with this fun non-fiction title! Pay close attention to the bright entertaining illustrations by Claire Powell. She has done a wonderful job with Debra Kempf Shumaker's simple text sorting things that fish do to protect themselves from predators, travel through the water, and behave swimmingly. (;-D)
My students in my two elementary schools are definitely happy to find books with quirky connections to animals and will love this book I will add to my collections. The main book is simple enough to read out loud. I will definitely point out the back matter, as well. I am a big fan of back matter in children's books. Kids love facts!
My students in my two elementary schools are definitely happy to find books with quirky connections to animals and will love this book I will add to my collections. The main book is simple enough to read out loud. I will definitely point out the back matter, as well. I am a big fan of back matter in children's books. Kids love facts!
February 3, 2021
If ever a book was written to be read out loud, this fun text by Debra Shumaker is certainly the one. Written in rhyme, this engaging book is sure to keep children captivated. Plus, the colorful and detailed illustrations by Claire Powell will keep them busy, finding all the fun things within the illustrations, including a meter on each page rating the fish's freakiness or funkiness. An added bonus? You learn all about freaky funky fish by reading this! This book is a must-have addition to any shelf.
March 26, 2021
"Freaky, Funky Fish" is a non-fiction picture book about the fascinating abilities and qualities that help fish survive in their environments. Written in short, catchy rhyme, each spread presents a new compelling fish fact or two. The freaky, funky fish in this round up, illustrated in brilliant color and texture, pop off the page with personality. Children who love learning about animals' unique traits - and enjoy being a bit grossed out, too - will connect with the gooey, spooky, and downright silly features of these fish.
May 3, 2021
I love this book! The author pairs interesting fish facts with a bouncy rhyme that will be fun for parents and educators to read aloud. There's plenty of additional details that interested kids can dive into to find out more about these funky fish, including descriptions in the back of the book . The illustrations do a fantastic job of playing off the text and showing the different traits of all the fish in a funny and engaging way. I envision this as a favorite of any young scientist or animal lover!
May 5, 2021
3-5-year-olds will enjoy finding out fascinating facts about freaky funky fish in Debra Kempf Shumaker’s splashy debut! Children will like the I-Spy format of Claire Powell’s illustrations where they can discover new species of fish. What an electrifying way to teach preschoolers about categories, grouping, and sorting. As an former teacher, I imagined creating a library where students could further research the fish described in the engaging and accessible back matter. No spoilers: My Little and I were completely freaked out by the angler fish facts!
May 5, 2021
CLEVER, INFORMATIVE, AND DELIGHTFUL
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
Parents, grandparents, and teachers will delight in sharing this book with every child they know. I bought this for my three year-old granddaughter, knowing she will delight in the rhythm of the language, and with full expectation that her older brother will be fascinated to learn all the ways the great variety of fish act and survive. The illustrations are wonderful, and will keep children and adults interested through many many readings of this wonderful book.
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
Parents, grandparents, and teachers will delight in sharing this book with every child they know. I bought this for my three year-old granddaughter, knowing she will delight in the rhythm of the language, and with full expectation that her older brother will be fascinated to learn all the ways the great variety of fish act and survive. The illustrations are wonderful, and will keep children and adults interested through many many readings of this wonderful book.
May 13, 2021
What do you know about fish? If you think they are just swimmers with scales, think again! This book illuminates all the crazy and amazing adaptations that some fish use to survive. It features fish that sing and dance, produce snot and slime, and one that even climbs out of the water! Jaunty, rhyming text is paired with informative, and often hilarious, illustrations that offer Freaky and Funky ratings. Dive deeper with thorough backmatter that includes videos of some of these amazing creatures. Perfect for elementary classrooms and curious kids!
June 3, 2021
Oh my goodness what a fun book! I never knew how many freaky funky fish species existed! Singing gosh, stoning fish, and even fish that coat themselves with snot! Children will have a blast learning all about each funky fish and the eye-catching illustrations bring life to the unique characteristics of each type of fish. The fish funkiness ‘ratings’ were an added bonus that kept me intrigued throughout! The extensive back matter makes this a great option for schools and libraries for further learning and curriculum tie-ins. Lots of funky fun!
June 27, 2021
I grew up in a coastal town and going fishing was a favorite pastime. In middle school, I took a marine biology class where we set up an aquarium and went seining to get our specimens. I have always been fascinated by the creatures that live in the ocean, so this book was a delight. Children will be fascinated by all the interesting strategies fish use to survive. And back matter with more detail and a bibliography for further reading will appeal to those who want to dive a little deeper (pun intended) into the world of fish.
March 8, 2023
So much information! The rhyming text on each spread is minimal so readers can focus on that and enjoy the beautiful illustrations of all sorts of fish. All the fish are named and often rated for funkiness so more curious readers can pore over the illustrations and enjoy the aquarium on the pages. Extensive back matter includes a detailed paragraph about several ways fish are freaky, like they sing, dance, and climb. References for further learning and selected sources include both books and websites.
January 21, 2021
In Debra Shumaker’s engaging debut, a fun rhyming text accompanies a string of awesome facts and a handy dandy funk-o-meter beside every fish. Sophisticated enough for young ichthyophiles while still being accessible to the average kid, this book would make a great addition to any school or public library and has boundless potential as part of an elementary science curriculum. Definitely recommend.
January 28, 2021
Freaky, Funky FUN!
Get ready to have some fun while you learn (gasp!). Shumaker's rollicking rhyme and Powell's humorous illustrations make for an amusing non-fiction exploration of fish. Kids will love all the detail (from field notes to freaky/funky ratings). Parents will love that kids will love all the detail--it's sure to keep them busy and going back for more! A must for school and home libraries. Side note: I DID NOT know that some fish sing! What will you learn?
Get ready to have some fun while you learn (gasp!). Shumaker's rollicking rhyme and Powell's humorous illustrations make for an amusing non-fiction exploration of fish. Kids will love all the detail (from field notes to freaky/funky ratings). Parents will love that kids will love all the detail--it's sure to keep them busy and going back for more! A must for school and home libraries. Side note: I DID NOT know that some fish sing! What will you learn?
February 7, 2021
Fantastically Fact Filled!
Plumb the depths of the worlds oceans and waterways to learn about some of the strange and wonderful fish that inhabit the earth in this brilliant, rhyming, non-fiction picture book. Humorously detailed illustrations and freaky/funky ratings accompany the text and keep the reader swimming along. A must have for all budding biologists or for anyone with an appreciation for the weird and wonderful.
Plumb the depths of the worlds oceans and waterways to learn about some of the strange and wonderful fish that inhabit the earth in this brilliant, rhyming, non-fiction picture book. Humorously detailed illustrations and freaky/funky ratings accompany the text and keep the reader swimming along. A must have for all budding biologists or for anyone with an appreciation for the weird and wonderful.
April 11, 2021
Oh how I love this book! As a former librarian, I remember kids wanting vibrant, engaging non fiction picture books and Freaky Funky Fish is that book! The text is sparse enough for the youngest reader, and provides depth into each fish through more detail at the end. The images are entertaining and the information is engaging. I see this as a book that's read in the classroom and at home. Never did I know that some fish hibernate!
June 6, 2021
What kid wouldn’t be attracted to a book titled FREAKY, FUNKY FISH?!?!? The book itself does not disappoint! It is filled with the funkiest and freakiest of fish. That, the rhyme, and the scientific facts make this an incredible read aloud. Yet it can also be a book kids return to time and again. Remind me, which fish is it that sings? There is also excellent back matter for the curious kid who wants to know more. This is a great example of the best that children’s nonfiction has to offer.
December 6, 2021
What a fascinating way to showcase some of the strangest fish in the world. It combines a snappy rhyme with a 1 to 5 "freaky rating," entrancing illustrations, onomatopoeia, and amazing facts (like a fish that coats itself in snot?!) The species designations, "field notes," and detailed backmatter beautifully meld with the almost cartoon like illustrations to create a fun STEM book on some pretty odd fish. It is so captivating; you forget your actually learning.
January 24, 2022
Colorful, whimsical, funny illustrations adorn this book with it's poem about different kinds of freaky fish. Each fish is given a "freakiness rating," and there is even a chart in the front and back of the book with the different ratings. Facts about the fish are at the end of the book.
I do kind of wish that there were actual pictures of these strange fish, even though I love the illustrations...perhaps kids will be inspired to look up some photos on their own!
I do kind of wish that there were actual pictures of these strange fish, even though I love the illustrations...perhaps kids will be inspired to look up some photos on their own!
January 14, 2023
Absolutely LOVE this nonfiction picture book. The text rhymes and is so much fun to read aloud. The illustrations are bright and full of details and movement. The concept is fun - there are a lot of fascinating behaviors and features about fish on these pages. It's the kind of nonfiction picture book that works well as an entertaining read aloud, teaches you something, and makes you want to know more.
January 31, 2021
A wonderfully entertaining and educational combo with enough info to keep kids entertained for ages. The illustrations are incredible, and the freaky ratings are so fun! The rhyme is great to read aloud and there's lots of info for the non-fiction fans who want every detail about these FREAKY, FUNKY FISH. A must-have for all inquisitive readers!
June 6, 2021
This is terrific introduction to adaptation and variation within animals, specifically fish. The art is slightly cartoonishly reslistic to provide valuable visual content enhancing the main text and side bar expanded text.
back matter adds to that, iucluding resources for further investigation.
A terrific blend of entertainment (sheer novelty and surprise elements) with true science.
back matter adds to that, iucluding resources for further investigation.
A terrific blend of entertainment (sheer novelty and surprise elements) with true science.
June 21, 2021
The first thing I noticed about this book was the title - I love alliteration and it's such a fun title. There are lots of eye-catching glittery images. The book is filled with fascinating fish and facts with exciting illustrations. The text and illustrations provide humour while being informative and in the back are more facts and helpful links. This is such a wonderful way to teach and learn.
June 22, 2021
This rhyming, fact-filled book has it all. With its delightful illustrations and a plethora of entertaining fishy facts, curious kids will be fascinated by the information offered in FREAKY, FUNKY FISH. Informative back matter with great resources is offered as well for those looking to dive a little deeper. A great book any library!
August 1, 2021
This is an amazing and fabulous book that is filled to the brim with incredible fish facts. There is so much to examine on every page and the lovely rhyming text just plays so well with all the images and information. It is so much fun to read, set down, and then come back to and discover new things about it!
What a stupendous book to add to a classroom or home library!
What a stupendous book to add to a classroom or home library!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews