The Birthday Fish

by Dan Yaccarino

Cynthia loved ponies. All she could think about was ponies. Every birthday Cynthia wished for a pony and every birthday she got something else.

An adorable new picture book about an unlikely friendship

Cynthia has always wanted a pony of her very own and is sure her parents will give her one for her birthday. But to her dismay, they give her a goldfish instead. Determined to get rid of it, she puts the fish in her doll stroller and sets off toward the lake. But during the walk, Cynthia discovers that this is a little fish with a big personality- could it be even better than having a pony?

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Childrens, Kids, Animals, Juvenile

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

Exhibitions of his work have been held throughout the world. He is also the creator of the animated TV Series Willa's Wild Life and Oswald.

Mr. Yaccarino lives in New York City with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a girl that keeps asking for a particular gift but always gets something else.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, because almost anyone can relate to asking for a particular gift and receiving something else.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cynthia receives a goldfish for her birthday when all she wants is a pony.

Cynthia is horse-crazy. She has a room full of toy horses and horse-themed possessions, and she longs for a real live horse of her own. Every Christmas she asks for one. Every birth she wishes for one. This year she is convinced she will finally get her pony, but when she opens her birthday present, it is a gold fish.

Cynthia is so mad that she starts to pour the goldfish down the drain. The goldfish happens to be of the magical talking variety, and it convinces her to take it to the local lake and set it free, promising to grant her wish for a pony in return. She sets out with the fish, but by the time she reaches the lake, she has grown so fond of it that she decides to keep it after all. So, all’s well that ends well.

This book captures the longing for a horse, which is beyond the financial means of most people. Cynthia reminded me of child me. As a girl, I asked for a horse every Christmas and every birthday just like Cynthia, and like Cynthia, my parents did a poor job of explaining why this was impossible aside from you can’t always have what you want and life’s not fair.

Young readers who wish for presents they never receive and live in a cycle of constant disappointment will relate to this story.

The story is about accepting what one receives and making peace with what one has. It also shows that one may actually like something that one doesn’t initially like if only one gives it a chance.

Note to caregivers: Animal welfare organizations advise against giving pets as gifts, especially surprise gifts. It’s unfair to both the recipient and the animal. Animals are a responsibility, a long-term commitment, a financial obligation, and a relationship in which compatibility is a significant factor. They often require a lifestyle change on the part of the owners.

[Pug · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fish was adorable! Too bad the girl wanted a pony named Marigold for her birthday and got a goldfish instead. The goldfish claims he will grant her a wish if she takes him down to the lake to release him.

I think it's obvious that this fish is just trying to get her to free him (a la "see ya later, sucka!" as he swims away, no wishes granted.) Nevertheless, she agrees and off they go on an adventure down to the lake. (In a stroller!!! I love seeing animals in strollers!!!)

During their walk/ride, they are bonding. So it's no surprise, and very heart-warming, at the end when she decides to keep the fish and name him Marigold.

That is... until you consider the fish's point of view!!!! He wanted to be free in the lake!!! He was so close he could see it!!! And this captor took him AWAY from the lake, dooming him to a life stuck in a glass bowl! Sicko.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cynthia always wished for a pony for her birthday and never got it. This year she had high hopes, but got a goldfish in a bowl. She thought about throwing him down the drain, but the fish promised her a wish if she took him to the lake. On the journey there, she learned to take care of the fish and by the time they watched the sunset together at the lake, she didn't want to get rid of the fish anymore.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this story! Dan Yaccarino is a new discovery for me. This one teaches that sometimes we start out thinking we want something, but don't always receive it. We might receive something else that initially we'd rather make go away. At the same time, if we stick with it and take care of it we may start to see its value and love it. True and fun to read.

[Mckinley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This didn't work for me.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every birthday Cynthia wished for a pony, but every birthday - no pony. This birthday she gets a pet she didn't want at first, until she learns there's something special about it.

[Megan Wagner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not happy with the little girl in this book.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite slight as far as a satisfying resolution. But love stories about fish, nonetheless.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for the kids who always ask for outrageous things but are disappointed every time. There is a lesson on gratitude here.

[Ereni · Rating 4 out of 5]

My preschoolers loved it. I enjoy the shapes throughout the illustrations. Pointing them out to the children as the story develops. Cute story about a little girl and the fish she never asked for.

[Karena Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite childhood book! Cynthia had an idea of what she thought she truly wanted but after caring for what was already right in front of her she found contentment and love for what was given.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Birthday Fish by Dan Yaccarino tells of Cynthia, who always asks for a pony. What will she do the year she gets a goldfish for her birthday?

Yaccarino's illustrations show many details while mainly focusing on Cynthia and the goldfish. My favorite images are rockinghorse, holding package, goldfish, pet store, and sunset.

This is an interesting combination of realism and magic. Most children have wished for something they never got, or that was unrealistic. The talking fish is clever. The fish looks a bit odd and the ending and twist is a bit abrupt. I still like this but it isn't my favorite Yaccarino book. It may be useful in showing children how to adjust to disappointments. Rating 3.5.

For ages 5 to 8, fish, birthdays, presents, wishes, humor, storytime, read-alouds, pets, and fans of Dan Yaccarino.

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy a book where the author and illustrator is one in the same. Then I know the story and the drawings will match seamlessly, as they do in this book. The story is a simple one, and so are the drawings, but they do not fail to get the point across. Sometimes what we really want is what we already have. Having a niece who has wanted a horse since she was old enough to express the desire, I understood how disappointed Cynthia was to receive, not a pony, but a goldfish, for her birthday. As I read the book, I was touched to see how she changed from wanting to flush it down the drain to protecting it as they went on a long walk. During that walk, Cynthia learned about compassion, an important lesson for any child. I was more than pleased to reach the very happy ending for not only the little girl, but for her pet.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia wishes for a pony each year on her birthday. She is convinced that this birthday she will finally receive her pony, but instead, she receives a fish. She starts to pour the fish down the sink, but he promises to grant her wish if she will set him free. She carefully takes him to the lake and the two watch the sunset together. Cynthia gives him the name she had been saving for her pony and takes him home.

This book would be appropriate to share as a read aloud with children between two and five years old. The book could be used to help children develop vocabulary as they look at all of the presents Cynthia has received. It could also be used to help young readers develop narrative skills.

[R. C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to use this very simple picture book as a jumping off point for discussing with my six-year-old the necessity of adjusting one's expectations and dealing with disappointment healthfully. It didn't work. A little girl wants a pony so when she gets a fish she goes directly (and eerily calmly) to dump it down the drain. The fish begs to be let go in wild waters instead so he can have his freedom. The girl agrees, but on the way over falls in love with the fish and decides to... enslave him forever. There's nothing redeeming about the illustrations, either. It's definitely not Yaccarino's best work.

[Tim Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure how to interpret this one. A goldfish is forced to plead for its life with the little girl who is about to put it down the garbage disposal because he isn't the pony she asked for. He tells her that he's a magical goldfish who will grant her two wishes if she releases him in the lake. So they walk the whole day to get to the lake and she decides she's not going to set him free. She's not going to put him in the disposal either. She's gonna keep him in that little bowl wondering each day if it's his last.

Or maybe she decided she liked him better than ponies after all. I mean, I guess it could be interpreted that way.

[Dona Gay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia wants a pony more than anything. She has wanted a pony for a very long time. Instead of a pony she gets a goldfish. Which would be bitterly disappointing except that Cynthia's goldfish can talk! How cool is that? But despite the magical qualities of the goldfish, Cynthia still pines for a pony. I won't spoil the story by saying what happens but I will say that sometimes the things we have or get are actually better than the things that we think that we want. Right, Cynthia?

[Tatiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple story about a little girl who has always wanted a pony (what little fantasy girl hasn't, right?). She's asked for one on every occasion, but has never gotten a pony. Then, on her birthday, she receives a manageable pet: a fish! The fish is also magical and can talk, and promises the girl her wish if she takes him to the lake and set him free. On the journey to the lake, though, the girl and fish bond. Illustrations are cartoon-like.

[Danna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this story years ago but recently read it again and I have to say I still love it! Cynthia loved ponies so much that she asked for one for her birthday. Instead, she receives a gold fish and is going to flush it down the toilet until the clever fish talks her into taking him to the lake to free him. Cynthia takes care of and protects the gold fish along the way and by the time they reach the lake they have formed a friendship. The illustrations are fun and bright.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet book about a girl who can't wait till her birthday! But when it comes, she gets something she wasn't expecting. This book is something all children can relate to, because they all have a birthday.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids made lots of predictions when reading this book including that the cat would eat the fish or the dog would also eat the fish. They were caught off guard that she loved her new pet fish and called him Marigold, even though he was not a pony.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The little girl wants a pony for her birthday, which she will name Marigold. But, when she recieves a goldfish, her disappointment is clear. The Birthday Fish is clever, however, and endears himself to her.

Used for "Fish-A-Mania" storytime-July, 2010.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable. My three year old students loved it!It has great illustrations. It is about a child who does not get the birthday gift that she really wanted and how she learns to cope with the situation. Most kids can relate as well as adults. It is funny as well.

[Jenny Forgay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think every child has wanted something for their birthday they haven't recieved. This book shows you sometimes the wierdest thing can surprise you.

[Antcomm]

add this to "just in case" Fish-themed storytime

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Birthdays are very special to children. Every child has a wish list of things they want for their birthday. But what happens when you get something that you are not expecting?

[Michelle Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book about a girl that just cannot get that one special gift that she wants. Great story about not always getting what you want, but what counts is what you do with what you do get.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an interesting concept to help children deal with reality vs. "But I want it" and responsible pet ownership, but the ending is a little jarring and I think kids will feel it as well.