Ugly Fish

by Kara LaReau Narrated by Ezra Knight

Overview

Acclaimed children's author Kara LaReau was inspired to write this story after reading an article about school bullies. Ugly Fish is a big, mean and ugly fish. And because he's big and mean, he scares all the other little fish so that he can keep the fish tank all to himself. Ugly Fish enjoys swimming through his driftwood tunnel and eating his special briny food, and he won't share with anyone else. But when an even bigger, meaner fish shows up in the bowl, Ugly Fish doesn't feel so fearless anymore.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

With his murky green skin and fierce underbite, Ugly Fish rules the aquarium. "He liked gliding in... and out... of his driftwood tunnel. He liked eating his special briny flakes." But he hates to share. Each time a potential friend is introduced, he snarls, "There's only room for one fish in this tank-me!" He devours all interlopers, including cute yellow Teensy Fish and the cuddly duo of Stripey and Spotty Fish. In post-meal images, readers witness Ugly's pleased expression and see the victim's fin dangling from his toothy jaw; when he's lonely, he does express mild remorse ("Chasing those fish was fun. If only I hadn't eaten them"). Shortly thereafter, dark-blue Shiny Fish-so enormous he doesn't fit on the page, and with sinister dark circles under his narrow eyes-joins Ugly in the tank. Ugly acts as though he has learned his lesson, and tries to welcome the hulking newcomer. But predator becomes prey, and Shiny gets "a nice new home... [burp] all to himself." Magoon pictures the action in close-up, except for a wordless closing image of solitary Shiny, content in the rectangular tank. In this conclusion, Magoon implies the tiny territory for which the fish compete, and not least, the human hand in the fishy murders. LaReau's text, meanwhile, describes a bully's grim comeuppance. But however satisfying the vigilante justice, only a bigger bully trumps a petty tyrant. This cautionary tale shows that violence begets violence, but never suggests an alternative to the big-fish-eat-little-fish cycle. Ages 3-7. (June) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-4-Ugly Fish is big, mean, and not keen on sharing his space with others. Whenever new tank-mates arrive, he chases them around and then eats them. Once they're gone, he wishes that he had someone to play with and regrets his actions. However, wishes can be dangerous things, and soon Shiny Fish arrives on the scene. He is much larger than Ugly Fish and looks vaguely sharklike. Ugly Fish, lonely no more, proudly shows his new friend around the tank. Impressed, Shiny Fish decides he wants it all to himself, and, after a short chase, polishes off Ugly Fish with a burp. Edgy pen-and-ink, digitally colored cartoon illustrations perfectly complement the short text's dry and wicked humor. The comically exaggerated details within the sharp pictures prevent the plot from becoming too heavy. While not for the faint of heart, this book will appeal to many kids; they'll thoroughly enjoy its humor and shock value.-Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Adding to the most recent spate of seemingly innocuous illustrated tales with sudden macabre twists, this deals just deserts to an aggressive aquarium fish-depicted in Magoon's simple, spacious illustrations with spiky teeth and a squarish, pea-green body-who chases and then eats every finny newcomer until an extra large arrival provides apt turnabout. Intended as a lesson for bullies, it's more likely to provide a morsel of vicarious satisfaction for their victims; still, for Gorey, Dahl and Belloc fans, shelve it next to such other unsettling titles as Jean Willis's Tadpole's Promise (2005), illus by Tony Ross, or Whatever (2005), Bee Williams's darker remake of Maurice Sendak's Pierre. (Picture book. 6-8)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171823634
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	03/08/2013
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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