The Golden Fish
Usborne English Readers Level 1 Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
The book consists of two stories. The first one, 'The Golden Fish', tells the story of a young boy named Tim who discovers a magical golden fish in his local pond. As Tim embarks on an incredible journey with the fish, he learns valuable life lessons and the true meaning of friendship. The second story is a popular Russian folk tale where Ned, living by the sea, catches a golden fish that promises him a wish if he releases it back into the sea. Unlike Ned who doesn't wish for anything, his brother Sam starts making greedy wishes. The book includes fun activities after each story and is available in both British English and American English audio online. It features full-color artwork and is designed to be accessible for English language learners, edited in collaboration with ELT consultant Peter Viney.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the golden fish wished for in the story?
How did the characters' actions affect their relationships with others?
If you were in the story, what would you do differently and why?
What does the story teach us about kindness and greed?
How do you feel the story would change if it was set in today's world?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine being in the story, ask them how they would interact with the golden fish.
Discuss the moral lessons in the story and how those lessons can be applied in real life.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene and explain why they chose it.
Create a fun role-play situation where you and your child can act out different parts of the book.
After reading, ask your child to summarize the story in their own words, encouraging them to express their thoughts and emotions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: In 'The Golden Fish,' the protagonist shows compassion by granting the golden fish its freedom instead of keeping it for personal gain.
Real-World Application: Children learn that acts of kindness can bring joy to others and themselves, and such behavior can be practiced by sharing and helping around at home or in school.
Example Lesson: The consequences of greed
Explanation: As the story unfolds, the fisherman's wife keeps asking for more extravagant things, which leads to their eventual loss of all the magical gifts.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to appreciate what they have and understand that excessive greed can lead to negative outcomes. It encourages contentment and gratitude for their possessions and relationships.
Example Lesson: The value of contentment
Explanation: The story highlights how the fisherman and his wife's life was peaceful until greed disrupted it, illustrating how contentment leads to happiness.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to find happiness in their current situation rather than constantly seeking more, fostering a sense of satisfaction and reducing feelings of envy.