This is a picture book by Lemony Snicket, the author of the popular set - A Series of Unfortunate Events. I thought this was a good book for younger readers to get into an author that they could follow as they grow older - or maybe older siblings are liking due to him writing a series of books for middle grade readers. It also is a good book for someone who has had a pet or family member pass away.

Ghost Goldfish is looking for a friend. He is lifted out of his fish bowl and through an open window. He drifts through the town, past a haunted lighthouse, the docks, seagulls, but all throughout the town, nobody notices him. Not even the birds. When he comes across the beach, he thinks he might have found somewhere to settle, but realizes it is not for him. After deciding to go back home, he sees that another fish has taken his place. He understands, but still wants company, a friend, and a place to call his own. Will he ever find a friend? Will someone finally notice him?

With underlying topics of loss, companionship, being accepted, and death, this book ends up with a happy ending. ( )

Super cute! Loved the beginning: Goldfish Ghost was born upside down in a fishtank... good for gothlings and other spooky-loving kids. Ha! I knew my fish died a lot when I was a kid. ( )

I pulled this one at work to use for an under the sea themed storytime and really enjoyed it! The illustrations are adorable and the story is very much Snicket's form of macabre.

Kids are sure to love it! ( )

The ghost of a goldfish is tired of staring up at the ceiling of the boy's room in which he lives. He floats out the window to the ocean, the beach, etc. in search of some good company. He is almost defeated until at last he hears a voice calling to him...

This book is quirky and a bit dark, very much like everything written by Snicket. The overall message about finding the *right* friend (and not just any old person who happens to be nearby) is a positive one. The fact that it takes the goldfish ghost a while to find that person can be encouraging for kids having trouble fitting in with their peers.

The illustrations (incidentally, these are done by the author's spouse) are fittingly fun in a dark way. The muted color palette is quite nice, although occasionally the text is difficult to read on some backgrounds. Small details (like bookshelves sporting such titles as One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and Moby Dick) are probably more humorous to adults, but some children might enjoy as well.

Even though this is a picture book, with the dead main character, dark humor, and deeper message, I think this book would be best for upper elementary school-age children. ( )

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! ( )