A child of indeterminate gender has a goldfish named Splotch. Whilst at school, the fish goes belly-up. Mom, frantic and panicked, hastily disposes of the fish and when the child laments that Splotch has "run away" promises he'll be back soon. Sure enough, a quick trip to the fish store the next day and Splotch is back! The child is satisfied with the replacement...until she wakes up in the middle of the night with a sudden realization... "MOM! Splotch has been CHANGED BY ALIENS!!" A few more substitutions and the right "Splotch" is back, with no one the wiser...maybe?
End papers show Splotch nervously avoiding the net at the store at the beginning and miraculously reviving after a trip through the plumbing in the end, adding another hilarious aspect to the story.
Verdict: Don't read this to sensitive kids and be prepared for some parents to be a little shocked, especially if they are among those who choose not to introduce their children to death in any form, but for those snarky kids and their adults this is a hilarious fish tale.
ISBN: 9780451469571; Published 2017 by Penguin; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library
1 comment:
My parents replaced Cherry Pink, my red eared turtle, many, many times. Woolworth's apparently didn't understand salmonella in 1970. They were so happy when we moved and I traded the turtle to a neighbor for a piece of rose quartz! Parents can be devious!
Post a Comment