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Goldfish Ghost
Goldfish Ghost was born on the surface of the water in the bowl on a dresser in a boy's room. The boy's room was pleasant and familiar, but Goldfish Ghost wanted company, so he set out to find a friend.
He floats over the neighborhood, past the pier, and let the breeze carry him into town where he discovers that not many people pay attention to goldfish ghosts.
Off he floats, searching for the perfect home and the perfect friend...
and then he hears a voice...
He floats over the neighborhood, past the pier, and let the breeze carry him into town where he discovers that not many people pay attention to goldfish ghosts.
Off he floats, searching for the perfect home and the perfect friend...
and then he hears a voice...
40 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2017
2 people are currently reading
803 people want to read
About the author
Lemony Snicket
335 books26.7k followersLemony Snicket had an unusual education and a perplexing youth and now endures a despondent adulthood. His previous published works include the thirteen volumes in A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Composer is Dead, and 13 Words. His new series is All The Wrong Questions.
For A Series of Unfortunate Events:
www.lemonysnicket.com
For All The Wrong Questions:
www.lemonysnicketlibrary.com
For A Series of Unfortunate Events:
www.lemonysnicket.com
For All The Wrong Questions:
www.lemonysnicketlibrary.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews
January 13, 2022
This book is about loneliness and finding where you belong. This is a book for beginners and above.
We follow a dead goldfish and we know it's dead because it's upside down. This gold fish drifts out of it's bowl and finds its in a seaside town. It explores and finds all kinds of people, even some ghost fish, but they aren't its people, apparently. Eventually, it does find a place to be a somewhere that is waiting for him. Funny enough, it is in the light. That is a really good joke on Lemony's part.
The artwork is okay, but it's a nice story about finding your people and exploring the world. It's not my favorite Lemony Snicket book, but it's a good story.
We follow a dead goldfish and we know it's dead because it's upside down. This gold fish drifts out of it's bowl and finds its in a seaside town. It explores and finds all kinds of people, even some ghost fish, but they aren't its people, apparently. Eventually, it does find a place to be a somewhere that is waiting for him. Funny enough, it is in the light. That is a really good joke on Lemony's part.
The artwork is okay, but it's a nice story about finding your people and exploring the world. It's not my favorite Lemony Snicket book, but it's a good story.
February 1, 2026
"Goldfish Ghost was born on the surface of the water in a bowl on the dresser in a boy's room. ... The boy's room was pleasant and familiar, but there was nobody there to talk to."So, without much to do in his room, the Goldfish Ghost decides to float out of his bowl and explore the world, hoping to find someone to spend time with.
He travels through the town, seeing many interesting sights but cannot find a place to stay...that is, until he meets the lighthouse ghost and the two of them find an everlasting friendship.
I can't be the only one who is constantly surprised that Lemony Snicket has written books out of the Series of Unfortunate Events? Those books are so iconic that I legit forget he's written other things.
AND I definitely didn't expect him to have written 'picture books'! And yet, it really was quite fun. I liked watching the Goldfish Ghost waft around town, observing the other ghosts in the area and the people milling about their day.
My favorite part was a bit of the signature Lemony-Snicket-Twist, which was when the Goldfish Ghost .
All in all, this was a really fun one!
June 13, 2017
A dead goldfish tale?!!! Haha…Brilliant! Only from the story telling mind and soul of Lemony Snicket! It’s about time the lost goldfish of the world got a say.
“It can be hard to find the company you are looking for.”
In a quiet bedroom bowl, Goldfish Ghost came to be—just floating belly up above the water. As much as he liked his home, he longed for friends and company to share his days with. So off Goldfish Ghost floated into town and over the ocean in search of company. There’s lots of fish in the sea, but will Goldfish Ghost find his someone special? Come float along and see.
Our tale unfolds in vivid, soft sand and pale blue sea pictures with strong lines and clear images. The words, pace and pictures produce a kind of peace or stillness in the reader. It’s a soft and quiet story with pictures to match. I love Ms. Brown’s little details the most though---like the look in the Teddy Bear’s eyes or the pile of books on the chair or the portrait above the bed. Be sure to scour the beach for a special ghost like couple.
Why the 3 stars? I don’t really have anything negative to say about the book. I think I just expected more quirkiness or humor or maybe even a little spookiness.
A cute, purely original story about finding someone to share your time with in this world and the next.
Check it out from your local Library.
October 28, 2019
Goldfish Ghost - Lemony Snicket, Lisa Brown The team who brought me The Latke Who Wouldn't Stop Screaming, one of my favorite holiday books, has brought another delight. The former goldfish goes out in search of company. Unexpected and sweet, with a deceptively simple and traditional style of illustration. Special props for the diverse street and beach scene. Brown and Snicket are a fabulous team.
And this business of special endpapers is a great one. That and the common sentence on how the art is created are both splendid additions. I have come to expect them, and am disappointed if a book doesn't include them.
Library copy
And this business of special endpapers is a great one. That and the common sentence on how the art is created are both splendid additions. I have come to expect them, and am disappointed if a book doesn't include them.
Library copy
February 28, 2020
A lonely, deceased goldfish searches for companionship in this bleak tale by Snicket. Even though the ending is somewhat uplifting, I felt sorry for the poor guy. Imagine . . . spending all of eternity floating upside-down . . .
February 16, 2017
While I thoroughly enjoyed the illustrations I just couldn't quite get comfortable with the story. Will be very interested to see how the little ones ingest this unique picture book. In any case, a dynamic duo, indeed.
May 31, 2019
A straightforward story about a goldfish ghost who goes searching for company. He searches the pier, the town and the beach, but he finds nobody. He returns to his home to find a new goldfish in his fishbowl. Feeling the pull of the moon, he floats back out the window towards the haunted lighthouse, where he hears a friendly voice. He's found a friend at last.
The voice of this book is sweet and calm. There is no scary or startling scenes. Everything flows peacefully along. The illustrations are vibrant. The pictures encourage readers to find the goldfish. They might search for other ghosts too. This is the author's attempt to answer the question of what happens to a goldfish when it dies. The theme could apply to other deceased pets too.
The voice of this book is sweet and calm. There is no scary or startling scenes. Everything flows peacefully along. The illustrations are vibrant. The pictures encourage readers to find the goldfish. They might search for other ghosts too. This is the author's attempt to answer the question of what happens to a goldfish when it dies. The theme could apply to other deceased pets too.
January 5, 2018
Typically morbid Lemony Snicket story follows the ghost of a small goldfish as he wanders, lonely, looking for a friend. Lisa Brown's illustrations are intricate and appealing. The story is lacking spark and depth. From the death of the goldfish to the ending, all the events seem to just... happen.
September 11, 2018
Picked up on a whim at a little book shop in SLC, I've read this one with the kids so many times and it never gets old and they never get tired of it. I personally think this is one of the best picture books I've read (along with The Three Questions, When Mermaids Sleep, and many Dr. Seuss books.) 'Goldfish Ghost' was so cute and sad and sweet. I love it.
July 23, 2017
This was a very sweet way of honoring all the dead goldfish out there in the world. I was never a pet owner myself, so have zero experience in owning a pet and what it takes to have and care for one. However, my understanding is that for whatever reason, goldfish never seem able to survive long enough in anyone's household, so I'm not sure why they continue to buy them as pets.
That being said, this was very un-Lemony Snicket in my opinion, because of its sweetness, but also its straightforwardness. I'm used to Lemony Snicket sarcasm and digression when telling a story. The only reason I gave this 4 stars was because I couldn't really find Lemony Snicket's voice in there. Of course this is a children's book, and so it has to be short and to the point, but I still couldn't really feel his presence.
Otherwise, this is a great book to read to children, especially those who have pets. I liked the idea of the ghost of the goldfish journeying to find company, something we all long for, dead or alive.
That being said, this was very un-Lemony Snicket in my opinion, because of its sweetness, but also its straightforwardness. I'm used to Lemony Snicket sarcasm and digression when telling a story. The only reason I gave this 4 stars was because I couldn't really find Lemony Snicket's voice in there. Of course this is a children's book, and so it has to be short and to the point, but I still couldn't really feel his presence.
Otherwise, this is a great book to read to children, especially those who have pets. I liked the idea of the ghost of the goldfish journeying to find company, something we all long for, dead or alive.
May 16, 2017
What's good about it:
For adult readers--particularly those with a bit of a dark sense of humor--this book is hilarious. I loved the adventures of the lonely Goldfish Ghost and his discovery of a spectral friend at the book's conclusion. If this book was written for adult satire fans such as myself, I would have given it five stars.
What's not so good:
But GOLDFISH GHOST isn't written for adults. Rather, it seems to make light of the unfortunate cultural habit of buying children small pets they don't know how to care for, and then the pets die, only to be immediately replaced. A little, non-aerated fishbowl is the home for the starring fish and the one who immediately follows him. No wonder he's dead. Really, we shouldn't be normalizing this stuff to kids who can't put the story into a broader satirical context. Pets--even small ones--aren't toys just to break and replace without a thought.
For adult readers--particularly those with a bit of a dark sense of humor--this book is hilarious. I loved the adventures of the lonely Goldfish Ghost and his discovery of a spectral friend at the book's conclusion. If this book was written for adult satire fans such as myself, I would have given it five stars.
What's not so good:
But GOLDFISH GHOST isn't written for adults. Rather, it seems to make light of the unfortunate cultural habit of buying children small pets they don't know how to care for, and then the pets die, only to be immediately replaced. A little, non-aerated fishbowl is the home for the starring fish and the one who immediately follows him. No wonder he's dead. Really, we shouldn't be normalizing this stuff to kids who can't put the story into a broader satirical context. Pets--even small ones--aren't toys just to break and replace without a thought.
February 5, 2017
Well, I guess the metric for outstanding children's literature these days is whether my niece and nephew will be receiving a copy. And of this book-- yes, they WILL.
What a charming, strange, unique little story. I loved Lisa Brown's illustrations. I loved the story-- its pace, its honesty, how lovely-without-being-tackily-quaint it was. A 5-star children's book for sure, and one that should be in every library!
What a charming, strange, unique little story. I loved Lisa Brown's illustrations. I loved the story-- its pace, its honesty, how lovely-without-being-tackily-quaint it was. A 5-star children's book for sure, and one that should be in every library!
May 5, 2017
I generally enjoy Lemony Snicket but this one just didn't grab me. It seems to follow a dead goldfish through some air adventures casper style but didn't have a strong storyline.
June 23, 2017
Boring story, goldfish ghost drawn weirdly. Not a big fan of the text or the illustrations. Lemony Snicket let me down on this one.
December 19, 2017
I wasn't feeling the story, but then that ending pulled me in and I instantly fell in love. As other reviewers have noted, adults will likely enjoy this book more than children will.
March 21, 2018
I absolutely loved Goldfish Ghost. However, I was a bit surprised to see that I actually think I'm in the minority. I'm wondering if this is one of those niche books that only reaches a specific audience?
Initially I was attracted to this story because of the premise. I found the premise hilarious and that's why I picked it up in the first place. Anyone who has ever had fish before knows they die very easily. When I was a kid my parents cleaned out the fish tank all the time and my sister and I helped feed them, but fish can get all sorts of weird diseases that you can't do anything about so they really do die real easily. The reason I even mention this is because some of the readers thought this book was teaching the wrong message to kids. They thought it was teaching that it's ok to give a kid a pet and then if they don't take care of it..."Oh well, it can be replaced." But I didn't see it that way. We actually don't know why the fish died. He could of died of disease or of neglect we don't really know and I didn't personally care either.
The fact that the fish is dead and upside down is just freakin' hilarious! But I think it just fits my type of humor perfectly. I really like quirky, awkward, and weird situations. I think I probably have a child' sense of humor. Real mature I know. I grew up reading John Scieszka so this title reminded me a lot of his stories.
As for the plot, I love how the fish goes out in search of finding a friend or a new home. Basically let's just say he goes out adventuring. I found it so sweet that he meets the little old lady in the light house and that they provide each other with companionship. It's so sweet. I have to agree with the comment that someone else made earlier though that they didn't know why these two were just magically the perfect pair. I didn't really catch that either. You would think the fish would want to be with other fish or would go in the pet shop and find some dead fish to be with. I think this is where the reader's suspense of belief has to come in. They are both lonely and want a friend to take care of them. That's how I read it at least.
Very sweet ending. I loved this book and as the director and program coordinator, I will be putting it on the summer reading list this year for my library.
Initially I was attracted to this story because of the premise. I found the premise hilarious and that's why I picked it up in the first place. Anyone who has ever had fish before knows they die very easily. When I was a kid my parents cleaned out the fish tank all the time and my sister and I helped feed them, but fish can get all sorts of weird diseases that you can't do anything about so they really do die real easily. The reason I even mention this is because some of the readers thought this book was teaching the wrong message to kids. They thought it was teaching that it's ok to give a kid a pet and then if they don't take care of it..."Oh well, it can be replaced." But I didn't see it that way. We actually don't know why the fish died. He could of died of disease or of neglect we don't really know and I didn't personally care either.
The fact that the fish is dead and upside down is just freakin' hilarious! But I think it just fits my type of humor perfectly. I really like quirky, awkward, and weird situations. I think I probably have a child' sense of humor. Real mature I know. I grew up reading John Scieszka so this title reminded me a lot of his stories.
As for the plot, I love how the fish goes out in search of finding a friend or a new home. Basically let's just say he goes out adventuring. I found it so sweet that he meets the little old lady in the light house and that they provide each other with companionship. It's so sweet. I have to agree with the comment that someone else made earlier though that they didn't know why these two were just magically the perfect pair. I didn't really catch that either. You would think the fish would want to be with other fish or would go in the pet shop and find some dead fish to be with. I think this is where the reader's suspense of belief has to come in. They are both lonely and want a friend to take care of them. That's how I read it at least.
Very sweet ending. I loved this book and as the director and program coordinator, I will be putting it on the summer reading list this year for my library.
March 9, 2020
Born on the surface of a little boy's fishbowl, the eponymous ghostly goldfish in this darkly humorous tale floats out the window and wanders around the seaside town in which he finds himself. Looking for companionship, he instead discovers that either he is overlooked, as is the case with the local people, or out of place, in the case of the ghostly sea creatures he encounters. Will the goldfish ever find a place he belongs...?
I'm not sure what it says about me, but I found it absolutely hilarious that the goldfish ghost is depicted upside down throughout the entire book, no doubt the result of the fact that he was "born" (as a ghost) when he went belly up in real life. Lisa Brown's artwork here captures the sardonic humor of the text perfectly, while the final portion of the story, in which our piscine hero finally finds a companion, offers a sweetly satisfying conclusion. Recommended to all Lemony Snicket fans, and to anyone looking for picture-books featuring an offbeat sense of humor!
I'm not sure what it says about me, but I found it absolutely hilarious that the goldfish ghost is depicted upside down throughout the entire book, no doubt the result of the fact that he was "born" (as a ghost) when he went belly up in real life. Lisa Brown's artwork here captures the sardonic humor of the text perfectly, while the final portion of the story, in which our piscine hero finally finds a companion, offers a sweetly satisfying conclusion. Recommended to all Lemony Snicket fans, and to anyone looking for picture-books featuring an offbeat sense of humor!
May 24, 2017
This is a strange, unique story delivered by a great duo. The illustrations are wonderful - fantastic to look at. The story has a lot going on with it. In reading through it a first time, it's thought-provoking and even satirical in nature for adults. A second read offered me the same feelings and ideas, not bad at all in sitting down to enjoy a book, but this one isn't intended for adults to be the primary audience. I don't know if this story will resonate well with children. I think they'll love looking through it, and find plenty to enjoy with their eyes, and I believe they'll pickup on the main concept of the goldfish, but not what the book is fully about.
I still enjoyed my trip through this clever and crafty picture book. This is a tough one for a review. I think I'll leave it as this: I'm in no rush to grab this one for a read aloud in my class, but I'm going to keep an eye on the feedback of others and remember it was an interesting book.
I still enjoyed my trip through this clever and crafty picture book. This is a tough one for a review. I think I'll leave it as this: I'm in no rush to grab this one for a read aloud in my class, but I'm going to keep an eye on the feedback of others and remember it was an interesting book.
June 10, 2017
Attractive India ink and watercolor illustrations accompany the story of a dead goldfish whose spirit searches for company. Because he feels lonely, he leaves his bowl and sets out to find a friend. The wind takes him to the beach where he finds other ghostly sea creatures. But they aren't quite what he had in mind. After returning home and finding a living goldfish, he heads to a lighthouse where he and the keeper provide company for each other. I wasn't quite sure what made these two click with each other other than just needing to be with someone like them or why the goldfish didn't connect with the other dead fish. I'm sure there will be an audience for this book and some readers will like this one, but it didn't work for me. I liked the illustrations, which contained marine-themed book titles on the lighthouse shelf and early readers on the goldfish owner's shelf, more than the story, which I confess that I just didn't get.
September 20, 2017
Thanks to the #kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book – all opinions are my own.
The ghost of a goldfish is bored and goes looking for friends. He floats around the quaint seaside town looking for a friend. Even though he meets some seemingly similar ghosts over the ocean and the new goldfish who occupies his former home, he doesn’t the company he’s looking for. Finally he finds a friend in the ghost of the lighthouse keeper.
I think some kids who are looking for scary stories will enjoy this book, especially since it is not really very scary at all! There is an ordinariness about all of the ghosts who go about their business while all of the mortals go about their everyday lives too.
The ghost of a goldfish is bored and goes looking for friends. He floats around the quaint seaside town looking for a friend. Even though he meets some seemingly similar ghosts over the ocean and the new goldfish who occupies his former home, he doesn’t the company he’s looking for. Finally he finds a friend in the ghost of the lighthouse keeper.
I think some kids who are looking for scary stories will enjoy this book, especially since it is not really very scary at all! There is an ordinariness about all of the ghosts who go about their business while all of the mortals go about their everyday lives too.
February 19, 2019
What a funny book! Instead of discussing and reinforcing the notion that the afterlife is a scary, fraughtful thing to think about, Snicket and Brown offer the notion that it's simply a part of life, and that there is a place for everyone, though it might require some searching. It's a positive book about finding kindred spirits after death, and remaining hopeful and curious about the world around you. This is definitely a book that I'm excited to purchase and have on my shelves!
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
August 24, 2017
Very cute book if a bit morbid. My 6 year old thought this one was great. I loved the illustrations, particularly the one over the ocean with all the dead sea animal ghosts. Additionally, I think it's a cute detail that the goldfish is upside-down throughout the book. It's even a bit sad when he goes back and there's already another goldfish in his bowl. (Those parents are never going to learn that goldfish don't belong in bowls.)
May 22, 2017
WHAT did I just read? Will kids get this? Or will it just creep them out? Snicket has a very dark gift; you got to hand it to him! As an adult, it was a fascinating read (and I tend to think that this will appeal vastly more to adults--who says that picture books are for babies, anyway?), but for an audience of children, I'm not sure how this will go.... It will be interesting to see!
May 8, 2023
This was pure Snicket/Brown bizarreness. I love the clever main character and the sweet, silly ending. The art is perfect even without the words. This doesn't fit the traditional modern picture book model (a compliment to the creators, I'm sure) but it is fun in an Edward Gorey way. As long as the buyer knows what he's getting into, this book is sure to delight.
June 21, 2017
About as odd as you would expect a picture book by Lemony Snicket to be! I might save this one for a Halloween storytime as it has a ghost, but isn't exactly scary. Perfect for little ones that want a ghost story.
October 19, 2017
Such a cute story about a lonely ghost fish who just wants some company and someone to talk to. He tries to find company in the living but realizes he is in need of someone of his own kind. Great story!
May 22, 2017
Typical Lemony Snicket... so strange, but somehow so interesting.
May 24, 2017
This made me emotional!!!! I didn't ask for this!!!
May 31, 2017
This is a weird story.
August 14, 2017
A unique story about a dead goldfish. This type of dark humor is enjoyed more by adults than kids.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews