A Bear, a Fish, and a Fishy Wish

by Daniel Bernstrom, Brandon James Scott (Illustrator)

Overview

From the creators of A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree comes another fun-to-read romp featuring lovable, hungry Bear. This time, he’s after a determined fish, who has an altogether different plan!

Readers of the beloved A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree met a bear who longed for honey, but never got to eat any. In this boisterous follow-up, will Bear’s luck change? He’s spotted a fish! And his wish? To gobble up this delicious fish dish, of course! Sadly for Bear, this is no ordinary fish—he’s a homesick fellow determined to get back upstream where he belongs. Once again, Daniel Bernstrom and Brandon James Scott show off their deep understanding of what makes kids laugh. The longing, the chase, the action, and splash—and the delightfully tongue twisting text—will have kids asking to hear this story again and again. With just a few words and page after page of fantastic expressions, A Bear, a Fish, and a Fishy Wish has the madcap energy and playfulness that keeps kids riveted—as they learn to read!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781662640698
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	05/14/2024
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	235,183
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	NP (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Daniel Bernstrom is a poet and the author of six picture books, including One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree, illustrated by Brendan Wenzel. Until now, Daniel’s books have always included Black characters, reflecting everyday adventures and joy. This is Daniel’s first book that features animals exclusively. A graduate of the Hamline MFA in writing for children and young adults, Daniel has worked with a host of wonderful mentors, including Phyllis Root, Jane Resh Thomas, and many others. His book Big Papa and the Time Machine won the Minnesota Book Award and is the story of his grandfather leaving the south to find work and start a family amidst the challenges of 20th century African American life. Daniel lives in Worthington, Minnesota with his wife and five adorable children.

By day Brandon is a Creative Director working in animation and by night he illustrates picture books. For over a decade Brandon has worked on a range of hit animated entertainment including his own creation, the award-winning series, Justin Time. He loves to make art that brings adventure, levity, heart, and curiosity for the fantastic and whimsical world around us and in our dreams. A born and raised Canadian, he currently lives with his family in Toronto.

Editorial Reviews

★ "Scott's digitally rendered illustrations convey a sense of movement both in the characters and the rushing water, and Bernstrom's light, rhyming narrative bounds along with equal liveliness. Bear and fish have wonderfully expressive faces that imbue the simple story with plenty of emotion as the bear learns one should be careful what one wishes for. A Bear, a Fish, and a Fishy Wish should appeal to readers who love fast, funny stories, as well as fans of the previous book who want to see what the hungry, hapless bear has gotten up to." —Shelf Awareness, starred review

A Must-Read May Children's Book Release - BabyLibrarians

"Thrilling, immersive fun." - Kirkus Reviews

"4.5 stars. “Magic….the previous story starring bear was a bear, a bee and a honey tree; pair these two together!” - Youth Services Book Review

"Simple words create an engaging, rhyming and gorgeous outdoor quest along with beautiful illustrations….In this summer sequel to "A Bear, A Bee and a Honey Tree," Bernstrom and Scott are back with a fun flowing river adventure. Readers will appreciate Bear, his thoughtfulness and the funny fish." - BendNest Parenting

“An excellent addition to anyone's storytime repertoire.” — Gabrielle Stoller, Meridien Library District, IN

“A perfect companion to A Bear, A Bee and a Honey Tree… Perfect storytime pick.” — Andrea Lorenz, East Grand Forks Campbell Library, MN

“A great addition to storytimes!” — Keri Bradeen, Head of Children’s Services, Somerville Public Library, MA

From the Publisher

2024-03-23
The big-eyed bear from A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree (2022) returns—still hungry.

Perched in a tree, a bear spots a very small fish in a stream nearby. The “homesick” tiny pink-and-blueish fish is attempting to migrate upstream. After the bear, in hiding, adroitly catches the little fish, countless larger, angry-looking fish surge up in a wave, overpowering the bear. The bear loses its balance—and its grip on the small fry—and falls backward into “a world of silver fish.” On shore again, as the tiny fish gasps in a puddle, the drenched bear decides to let it go and places the fish back in the water. The bear’s still hungry, but our hero catches sight of a sign with a picture of a picnic table; the bear is last seen peeking through bushes, wordlessly eyeing some abandoned burgers. The all-lowercase text consists of very few words (in a rather small font). The soft but saturated watercolorlike illustrations employ varied perspectives for a cinematic effect; readers will feel as though they’re right there in the water with the fish or far above the stream, looking down. Words like snatched, squiggling, wriggling, unaware, and thoughtful might prove difficult for beginners, but the many rhymes and repetitions will help.

Thrilling, immersive fun. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews