Enzo the Wonderfish
Written and Illustrated by Cathy Wilcox
Ticknor & Fields Books for Young Readers
Published 1994, Copyright 1993
Suitable for: Ages 5 and up
Theme/Topic: Fish, Animals, Pet Ownership, Responsibility
Opening: I had always wanted a pet. A pet, not quite as smart as me, That I could feed and care for and pat.”
Brief Synopsis: A child who wants a pet is given a fish and vows to train him to do wonderful trick. (Have I ever mentioned how I love the Library of Congress summaries for books. This one is spot on.)
Link to Resources: Lessons on pet ownership from National Pet Week. Do what Hubby does and take your child to the pet store. There’s no entrance fee like the zoo and you can see many animals up close and discuss the things needed to own the pet, food, and the costs of pet ownership.
Why I like this book: As I zipped through the library last Saturday Enzo free, the title caught my eye as I whizzed by a shelf. My son loves going to the pet store to look at the animals. Now he asks, “How do we get one?” when he sees an animal he likes. While I picked it up for the title, it’s a fun read and a twist on pet ownership. The last few pages have a lot of tension as the fate of Enzo the Wonderfish was in question. It definitely surprised me.
Ouch, I read a bit of the Publishers Weekly review found on the Amazon link to the this book. I agree the beginning was a bit “long winded.” Still it’s a fun book, if you can find it at your library.
For more Perfect Picture Books, check out Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
Taking care of a pet is an important project for kids. This looks like a fun way to learn about that responsibility!
It is!
I’m not familiar with the book but you’re right–the title alone would get me to pick the book up. I watched the Mythbusters train goldfish on their show, so I know it can be done!
I’ll have to look up that Mythbusters episode. 🙂
Knew this was your review when I saw the title!:) The picture even reminds me of Enzo. Sounds like a fun book that teaches kids taking the responsibilities of taking care of a pet.
I know. The title makes it a predictable pick for me.
How cool! I bet Enzo likes that there is a book with his name in it.
There is also an ebook for the iPad called Enzo and Rose about a brother and sister. We like that one, because I have a niece Rosa. 🙂
Ooo a goldfish + tension + the name Enzo – sounds a inner!
Definitely!
Publishers Weekly didn’t really like the book I picked for this week either. I figure they are off base with their comments on both our books.
As soon as I opened this blog, I KNEW why you picked this book! And the book itself looks very interesting too. Pet ownership is no small task.
I agree pet ownership is no small task.
Sounds like a great book. I can just see a child trying to teach a fish a trick. Don’t forget to check out my picture book giveaway on my blog.
I will.
It kind of reminds me of a book about a boy who feeds his fish too much. I’m sure Enzo enjoyed hearing his name as you read!
~Debbie
We will have to find that one, if we get a fish.
I would like to have seen Enzo’s face when he realized the title shared his name! We’ve had many goldfish come and go; one sojourned in the freezer til the soil warmed enough for an elderberry-bush burial!
I lost the entire Jackson 5 family of goldfish as a kid. No elderberry-bush burials.
I love the title too! Enzo must have been happy! The book sounds fun! 😀
He was happy and it’s a fun book.
I have a lot of memories about fish growing up. My younger brother Joseph did not make life easy for our fish. He used to pour milk or their entire container of fish food in their tank. Sometimes he’d catch the fish with his bare hands and carry them around the house. Needless to say, fish did not last very long at our house. This book looks like a nice read for someone like me who has had fish as a kid.
They did not last long for us either, but no milk was involved. Your brother Joseph sounds like a fun character.
Looks very cute, but I hesitate because I don’t want to launch a campaign to get fish… We already have two cats and one large rescue dog.