The Magical Fish by Freya Littledale Pictures by Winslow Pinney Pels

The Magical Fish by Freya Littledale Pictures by Winslow Pinney Pels

Littledale, Freya. (1966). The Magical Fish. New York: Scholastic.

Genre: Fiction, Folktale

Lexile: 398.2L

The Magical Fish is a folktale about a husband and wife. The husband is a fisherman who finds a magical fish in the sea. He returns to tell the wife of his news and she says to go back and ask for a wish, so he does. He comes back to tell his wife and she wants another wish, the husband is reluctant but goes. This goes on for a while and the wife keeps wishing until finally the magical fish says no and takes it all back.

The book uses a growth of language for students because they use repetition as well as new words that students of this age may not be familiar with. The words are substituted with pictures to allow children to engage in the book further. Cognately students will grow because the stories are meaningful and students can try to understand the message that is behind the folktale.

Plot- conflict and action are found in this folktale and the readers are introduced to the conflict quickly.

Characterization- The characters in a folktale are less focused on than the message, however you know that the fisherman is a kind man and the wife is greedy.

Supernatural Adversaries and Helpers- This role is played by the magical fish who grants the couple several wishes until he cannot grant anymore.

Ending- The ending of a folktale is usually a happy ending with a strong message attached. The book ends of a simpler term and the husband and wife are back to where they started, so it is not necessarily a happy or sad ending, but a back to the beginning. The message shows children to not be greedy and to appreciate what you have.

Mini Lesson- This is a book that could be used in a folktale unit to help kick of the lessons. After reading some folktales students could think of a message they want to send out and think of a supernatural to help them achieve their goal.

Enjoyment- This book could be used as a K+ book as a read aloud; but, enjoyed for many ages above K.