Ten Little Fish
on Goodreads (1,011)
What’s inside...
Ten little fish swim through the ocean, each finding a different reason to leave until only one remains. It's an undersea countdown in the newest book by bestselling author Audrey Wood and her dynamic, digital-artist son, Bruce. Follow ten little fish as they swim along a beautiful ocean reef, one by one departing from the school for different reasons, eventually leaving one fellow all alone. What will he do? Along comes another, and that makes two! Soon he becomes a father and she becomes a mother--with ten little children of their own. The rhyming text helps readers go from one to ten and back again, and each illustration pops with all the color and depth of an underwater playground.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
1-4
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think happens to the little fish as they swim away one by one?
How do you feel when there are fewer fish on the page?
What might the fish be doing when they leave the page?
Can you guess why the number of fish changes? What could it teach us about numbers or counting?
How would you describe the relationship between the fish?
Tip: Role play these questions
While reading, emphasize the count of the fish on each page, encouraging the child to count along.
Ask the child to predict what might happen next after each page turn, building anticipation and engagement.
Discuss the colors and scenes depicted in the book, ask the child to describe what they see and how it makes them feel.
Encourage the child to imagine and share stories about where the fish might be going as they disappear from each page.
Relate the story to real-life situations by discussing the importance of friendship and being together just like the fish in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Counting Skills
Explanation: Through the rhythmic, decreasing count of fish, children learn basic subtraction in a fun and engaging way.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these skills to count objects in their daily environment, enhancing their mathematical thinking.
Example Lesson: Importance of Community
Explanation: As the little fish interact and depend on each other throughout the book, the story reinforces the value of community and teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value cooperative play and teamwork in school and family activities, understanding how every individual's effort is important.
Example Lesson: Exploration and Curiosity
Explanation: The diverse underwater setting and varying little fish ignite curiosity about marine life and the importance of exploration.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore and ask questions about different environments and creatures in the world around them.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: The little fish face various challenges but find ways to thrive, teaching children the power of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn to adapt to new situations and overcome obstacles they face in their daily lives.