きんぎょが にげた

About the book

きんぎょが にげた (roughly “The goldfish got away”) is by Gomi Taro and was published by Fukuinkan Shoten (福音館書店) in August 1982, in its series for young children. The story first appeared in the publisher's monthly magazine for younger children. It is a nearly square book of about 24 pages.

The story and what makes it special

The premise is simple: a goldfish escapes its bowl and hides in one spot after another around the house, among patterns, objects and colours. Each spread poses a small “where is it?” question, so the book works as both a story and a look-and-find game you play together.

Recommended age

Publisher states

読んであげるなら 2才から

NIPIKO Books suggests

1–4 yrs

Publisher's label (福音館書店): 「読んであげるなら 2才から」 (to read aloud, from age 2). NIPIKO Books's suggestion: you can start around age 1, once your child is pointing, and it works well up to about 4.

Reading-together ideas

• Read the line on each page, ask “where is it?”, and wait for your child to point before helping.
• Once they know it by heart, swap roles: let your child ask while you pretend you can't find the fish.
• After reading, look around your home for colours or patterns like the ones in the pictures.