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Norman: One Amazing Goldfish
Can Norman the amazing goldfish overcome his stage fright? A much-awaited new adventure from the creators of Not Norman.
Norman is one amazing goldfish! His owner knows Norman is sure to dazzle the crowd at Pet-O-Rama with his circles, bubbles, and flips—even though some kids don’t think a goldfish is a good pet. But when Norman is finally on stage, he freezes up and hides behind his plant. Poor Norman! Luckily, his owner plays a familiar song on the tuba, helping Norman to relax and show the crowd how amazing he really is. The popular stars of Not Norman return in a warm and wryly funny new story about being there for your fishy friend when he needs you most.
Norman is one amazing goldfish! His owner knows Norman is sure to dazzle the crowd at Pet-O-Rama with his circles, bubbles, and flips—even though some kids don’t think a goldfish is a good pet. But when Norman is finally on stage, he freezes up and hides behind his plant. Poor Norman! Luckily, his owner plays a familiar song on the tuba, helping Norman to relax and show the crowd how amazing he really is. The popular stars of Not Norman return in a warm and wryly funny new story about being there for your fishy friend when he needs you most.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published September 8, 2020
1369 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Bennett
25 books38 followersI write books for children celebrating imagination, families, friends, pets…all that goes into being a kid! What books? Baseball books for fans of all ages, including: OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABE & THE HOUSE THAT RUTH BUILT, picture books including. NORMAN ONE AMAZING GOLDFISH & NOT NORMAN, featuring our finny fish friend, Norman T Goldfish, illustrated by Noah Z Jones (Candlewick Press); VAMPIRE BABY about a biting baby sister/vampire; DAD AND POP: Ode to Fathers & Stepfathers, illustrated by Paul Meisel; ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING & DANCE, Y’ALL, DANCE illustrated by Terri Murphy; YOUR DADDY WAS JUST LIKE YOU & YOUR MOMMY WAS JUST LIKE YOU illustrated by David Walker; and POETRY LAB, 7-Minute Poetry Prompts you can find—and try!—on my blog, Kelly’s Fishbowl: https://www.kellybennett.com/fishbowl....
What’s more: I’m a graduate of VCFA’s Writing for Children and Young Adults program, and long-standing member of SCBWI (former ARA for SCBWI-Houston) & The Author’s Guild. I live, garden, bike, cook, create from my base in Westhampton Beach, NY & Mimiville (which is anywhere my grandboys may be).
For more about Kelly and her books, visit her website: www.kellybennett.com
And for a swimmingly good time, wade through her blog: http://kellybennett.com/blog/
In case you're wondering, I use the 'It's the City' Book Review "Rating System" here's the link: http://citybookreview.com/our-rating-...
1 Star – Probably only going to be read and enjoyed by the author’s mother.
2 Stars – This book was a waste of time for the general reader
3 Stars – While not a bad book, probably wouldn’t read it again/recommend it to a friend.
4 Stars – Enjoyed it, will recommend it to friends.
5 Stars – An excellent example of the genre. Will be giving it out as gifts.
...Bottom line: A three isn’t a recommendation. It’s a “You’ll like this sort of thing if you like this sort of thing” kind of review.
What’s more: I’m a graduate of VCFA’s Writing for Children and Young Adults program, and long-standing member of SCBWI (former ARA for SCBWI-Houston) & The Author’s Guild. I live, garden, bike, cook, create from my base in Westhampton Beach, NY & Mimiville (which is anywhere my grandboys may be).
For more about Kelly and her books, visit her website: www.kellybennett.com
And for a swimmingly good time, wade through her blog: http://kellybennett.com/blog/
In case you're wondering, I use the 'It's the City' Book Review "Rating System" here's the link: http://citybookreview.com/our-rating-...
1 Star – Probably only going to be read and enjoyed by the author’s mother.
2 Stars – This book was a waste of time for the general reader
3 Stars – While not a bad book, probably wouldn’t read it again/recommend it to a friend.
4 Stars – Enjoyed it, will recommend it to friends.
5 Stars – An excellent example of the genre. Will be giving it out as gifts.
...Bottom line: A three isn’t a recommendation. It’s a “You’ll like this sort of thing if you like this sort of thing” kind of review.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 10, 2020
Kelly Bennett had an extremely popular success with her award-winning picture book for young children Not Norman: A Goldfish story. That book, with charming and whimsical illustrations by Noah Z. Jones, became a favorite bedtime story, no doubt, for countless kids. Now Bennett is offering a sequel, again with illustrations by Jones, called Norman: One Amazing Goldfish! Norman the goldfish is back with his owner/friend and, in this case, his handler, for the owner has entered Norman into a talent contest for pets! Bennett spins a tale that is charming, funny, and engaging. She is adept at turning everyday phrases we use with our friends into goldfish-appropriate phrases. Look for variations of “atta-boy” and “high-five”—real laugh makers that kids will love. Most of all, Bennett’s story shows kids the power of friendship and support. And that’s a very important lesson. A lovely tale, a good laugh, a book full of perfect illustrations, Norman: One Amazing Goldfish! is destined to take its place on the shelf with his older brother Not Norman, earning well-deserved accolades.
June 7, 2020
Thank you to Edelweiss + and Candlewick for an eARC to review!
I am excited to see Norman the fish and his boy back in a 2nd book! This book has Norman and his boy at a pet talent show. The boy is so excited to have Norman show what he can do! Without giving the story away, I want to share that the way the boy believes in Norman and encourages him is something I will be excited to share with my elementary aged students. I think there are many possibilities for lessons in this book. I will definitely recommend to others!
I am excited to see Norman the fish and his boy back in a 2nd book! This book has Norman and his boy at a pet talent show. The boy is so excited to have Norman show what he can do! Without giving the story away, I want to share that the way the boy believes in Norman and encourages him is something I will be excited to share with my elementary aged students. I think there are many possibilities for lessons in this book. I will definitely recommend to others!
October 6, 2020
Filled with bright bold colors, this amusing story highlights overcoming fear, the power of the true friendship that one can have with a pet, and a trust in one's own self-worth. This is a fun read and will keep the attention of young readers who will be able to relate to overcoming shyness when introduced to something new. People might try to douse your inner spirit with negativity but if you are true to yourself, whatever the final result, you will gain confidence, knowledge and above all, self- respect! Three cheers for Norman the amazing goldfish. This is a delightful story with a positive message!
October 28, 2020
It's time for the Pet-O-Rama pet show, and the owner of Norman the goldfish is taking Norman to perform. The two have been practicing their routine, and Norman has all the moves down pat. But then Norman gets on the stage and he has stage fright. It takes the owner's tuba to calm Norman down, but then Norman gives an award-winning performance.
A gentle story of overcoming stage fright as well as finding amazingness even in small creatures.
A gentle story of overcoming stage fright as well as finding amazingness even in small creatures.
September 28, 2020
Oh, that special goldfish, Norman, able to perform so many tricks at home, his owner plans to enter him in a pet show, "Pet-O-Rama"! When they arrive, there's a little teasing but Norman's owner is convinced all will be marvelous when everyone sees Norman perform his exceptional tricks. Uh-oh, it isn't marvelous at all but "frozen" in stage-fright. What happens then is the owner knows just how to settle Norman's nerves. And it works! Norman is unleased into the routine, a win! Noah Z. Jones illustrates with full-color pictures all the action and giving center stage "mostly" to Norman.
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!
December 28, 2020
A tuba-playing kid trains his beloved pet fish, Norman, to dance and “glug” along with the music. When the kid, who narrates the tale, arrives at the Pet-O-Rama pet show, he is excited to see that Norman is just as good a pet as any of the dogs, snakes, and other pets that are there. But when it comes time to compete, Norman freezes. It is only when the kid channels calm and plays his tuba that Norman dances, sings, and performs his tricks perfectly. This title is a follow-up to the author’s 2005 story Not Norman: A Goldfish Story. The lively digital cartoon-like illustrations complement the story nicely. Lots of onomatopoeia for kids to sound out or enjoy hearing read aloud. The Black kid protagonist is sweetly protective of his goldfish, which will resonate with kids with any kinds of pets at home.
Anything you didn’t like about it? I love Not Norman: A Goldfish Story, especially the concept that you can love any kind of pet. This sequel lacks some of the human drama of the first story.
Anything you didn’t like about it? I love Not Norman: A Goldfish Story, especially the concept that you can love any kind of pet. This sequel lacks some of the human drama of the first story.
October 31, 2020
As a stand-alone book we would give this one just three stars. However, we enjoyed the original, Not Norman, as a perpetual favorite in our home.
We got that book as a gift many years ago when our first son was born. So I was shocked and delighted to find this newest installment on display at our Public Library over 10 years later. I snatched it up and ran out to the car waiting it above my head. The kids could not wait to read it so we read it right in the car. It was lovely to meet these characters again. Thank you, thank you.
We got that book as a gift many years ago when our first son was born. So I was shocked and delighted to find this newest installment on display at our Public Library over 10 years later. I snatched it up and ran out to the car waiting it above my head. The kids could not wait to read it so we read it right in the car. It was lovely to meet these characters again. Thank you, thank you.
November 3, 2020
We received our free copy of this book yesterday. My son (8) was excited to sit down and read it with me. There is a great message about overcoming your fears and not judging a book (pet) by its cover (size, shape, type). Prose was easy to read and pictures were great. Norman is one amazing goldfish.
December 9, 2020
Although I have never been to a pet talent show this story of a boy and his goldfish entering in a talent contest is fun when not only the boy but his pet gets stage fright. Worth the read and fun for children who enter contests and hope to win. Teased and unencouraged the boy goes on to win a prize for entering and having the courage to forge on.
December 29, 2022
This adorable story shares the tale (er, tail?) of Norman, a talented goldfish and sure-winner of the upcoming Pet-O-Rama. When Norman freezes, his confident owner's support eventually shows him the way. With engaging, colorful illustrations and relatable themes, NORMAN: ONE AMAZING GOLDFISH is a must-have for every library!
October 3, 2020
I loved Not Norman and was excited for this sequel, which ended up being a major let down for me. The Pet-o-Rama is a somewhat silly premise anyway. It’s kind of cute that they get stage fright but no way are those lame tricks enough for first place!
February 26, 2021
A simple sweet story featuring a loved pet. Can a goldfish perform the tricks he learned when under the pressure of stagefright?
Use to illustrate beginning/middle/end; sequencing.
Appropriate for preschool through early elementary grades.
Use to illustrate beginning/middle/end; sequencing.
Appropriate for preschool through early elementary grades.
October 2, 2020
Norman's owner wants him to dazzle the crowd with his amazing tricks at the Pet-O-Rama.
October 28, 2020
Love Norman!
October 31, 2020
A clever and quirky premise, with a resolution based on friendship, trust, and support.
November 2, 2020
An anxious golfish!!! Hilarious and heartwarming...
November 23, 2020
A great fit for a story time about courage!
December 19, 2020
I loved the original Norman and am SO happy there is another story for this amazing fish and adorable owner.
June 29, 2021
Everyone gets scared at times. Norman and his human learn how to deal with stage fright during pet-o-rama.
August 17, 2021
A story about overcoming stage fright by working with a friend.
December 30, 2022
Great book with an active goldfish and a talent show! Showed this to a little 2 year old who liked pointing out all the fish and happily exclaiming “fish!”
April 12, 2024
A fun and relatable story where both the child AND their pet goldfish get stage fright during a pet show. The illustrations are charming, kid-friendly, and funny.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews