NOT NORMAN: A Goldfish Story
Candlewick Press, 2005, 2008
ISBN: 0763627631 / 9780763627638
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Norman the goldfish isn't what this little boy had in mind. But when he tries to trade Norman for a "good pet," things don't go as he planned.
Could it be that Norman is a better pet than he thought?
Educational Resources:
Teacher's Guide → download PDF
Activity Pack → download PDF
Reader's Theater Script →download DOC
Also read the amusing “Not Curtis” story here — and learn what things seem like from a fish's viewpoint.
YouTube Buddy Reading Not Norman, A Goldfish Story → Watch Here!
Not Norman Approved Picture Books:
Norman’s List of “a little bit scary and a whole lot of fun” fish books →download PDF
“The off-the-cuff yet kidlike prose ideally suits the bright, crisp digital drawings. . . . Readers will cheer the birth of a beautiful friendship.”—Publishers Weekly”
Not Norman, A Goldfish Story was Jumpstart’s Read for the Record® 2015 book. On October 22, 2015, more than 2.2 million children and adults worldwide participated in the 10th anniversary shared reading experience. Here are a few highlights.
Awards:
-Jumpstart’s Read for the Record® 2015
-CBC (Children's Book Council) Children's Choice
- Oppenheim Toy Portfolio 2006 Gold Medal
- A FamilyFun Magazine Best Children’s Book for 2005
- Booktrust Book of the Month for August 2005
- Texas Institute of Letters Best Children’s Book for 2005.
Author Read-Aloud on YouTube:
Reviews:
From School Library Journal
The story is told in simple, straightforward language, and the clear lines and vibrant colors of the digital graphics are reminiscent of Taro Gomi's work. This is a sweet story that could be used as a springboard to discussion of the pitfalls of making snap judgments about pets–or people.”
From Booklist
…Repeated several times during the story, the title phrase "Not Norman" takes on a new shade of meaning in the verbally clever turnaround that concludes this amusing picture book. Distilled to essential shapes and flat colors, the lively digital artwork expresses both action and emotion with flair. This eye-catching book makes a satisfying read-aloud choice for pet day or any day.”
From Publisher’s Weekly
This emotional turnaround never feels forced or pat, thanks to a strong partnership between Bennett's text and newcomer Jones's artwork. The off-the-cuff yet kidlike prose ideally suits the bright, crisp, digital drawings."
From the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
The narrator's plaintive voice will be a familiar echo of many youngsters' disappointed responses to unwanted gifts, and there's enough rueful humor in his response to the predicament to keep it light."
From Time Out New York Kids
An inventive interpretation of the old adage 'Don't judge a book by its cover,' NOT NORMAN is the perfect book for dog-resistant parents to read to their puppy-worshipping kids—as long as they're willing to take on a new goldfish or two.
Norman around the blogosphere
NBC 5's Reading With You Book of the Week: 'Not Norman'
Not Norman: A Goldfish Story from Lori Calabrese Writes!
Here Fishy Fishy: Fun Gift Ideas 2008 from Young Readers
Last Call for 2008 Cybils Nominations: Act Now
from Just One More Book Children's Book Podcast
Picture Book Saturday Returns! from A Patchwork of Books
Poetry Friday: The Friendly Four from Chicken Spaghetti
In other news, NOT NORMAN was featured on Just One More Book!! a podcast about the children's books we love and why we love them.
“AWESOME AUTHORS,” Grand Forks Herald, Aug. 11, 2013
Did you know Norman's illustrator, Noah Z. Jones, created Disney's animated TV series Fish Hooks? He's also the voice of characters Shark and Norman Goldfishberg. (Could Norman Goldfishberg be named after our Norman?) Here's an interview about how Noah created Fish Hooks!
NOT NORMAN, A GOLDFISH STORY is included in an anthology created by Candlewick for Raising Readers, a non-profit organization based in Portland, Maine.
Raising Readers gives books to children, ages 3 months to 5 years, at their well-child doctor check-ups. Since 2000, Raising Readers has distributed millions of books..
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