If a Dolphin Were a Fish (Arbordale Collection)
Physical & Behavioral Adaptation , Aquatic Animals & Habitats: Salt Water , Character & Overcoming Adversity Series
What’s inside...
Join Delfina the dolphin as she imagines that she becomes other sea animals: a fish, a sea turtle, a pelican, an octopus, a shark, even a manatee! The incredible morphing illustrations will have children laughing as they learn about the real differences between these ocean animals and their respective classes. The book has won the FPA Gold President's Book Award and is available in Spanish paperback under the title 'Si un delfín fuera un pez'.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
If you could be any sea creature, which one would you choose and why?
What are some special things that dolphins can do that other animals can't?
How do you think the other sea creatures feel about the dolphin imagining being them?
What did you learn about how different animals live in the sea?
If you were creating a story, which animal would you like to be and what adventures would you have?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they know about dolphins to activate prior knowledge.
Use expressive voices for different sea creatures to make the reading more dynamic and engaging.
Pause after significant points or shifts in the story to ask predictive questions, like 'What do you think will happen next?'
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or creature from the book to deepen their connection with the story.
Link themes from the book to real-life experiences, such as visits to the aquarium or watching documentaries about sea life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding animal characteristics
Explanation: The story explores the characteristics of a dolphin by comparing it to other sea creatures, teaching children about marine biology and animal traits.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this knowledge during visits to aquariums, nature documentaries, or even when reading other books about animals, enhancing their understanding and curiosity about the natural world.
Example Lesson: Appreciating biodiversity
Explanation: By illustrating the differences between a dolphin and other sea animals, the book highlights the diversity in marine life and the importance of each species’ role in the ecosystem.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children respect and value biodiversity, promoting environmentally responsible behaviors such as recycling and conserving water to protect aquatic habitats.
Example Lesson: Imagination and creativity
Explanation: The hypothetical scenarios of a dolphin being other creatures encourage children to think creatively and imagine different possibilities.
Real-World Application: Enhancing creativity allows children to approach problems with unique solutions and express themselves through art, storytelling, or play, fostering personal growth and innovation.
Example Lesson: Empathy for animals
Explanation: Through the narrative, children are invited to see the world from a dolphin’s perspective, promoting empathy towards animals and understanding of their environments.
Real-World Application: This can lead to children treating pets with kindness, advocating for endangered species, and participating in community activities like animal shelter volunteering.