The Generous Fish by Jacqueline Jules & illustrated by Frances Tyrrell [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts:  A sweet story told as a fable that teaches more than one lesson. Firstly, it is simply a sweetly told story. Secondly, it teaches sharing with others, it can also teach an environmental lesson of caring for our world and life in it. Lastly, it teaches that we can be too demanding of those willing to share with us.

The illustrations are soft pastels and quite artistically lovely. They bring a sweetness to this gentle story that enables the reader and listener to experience the joy of the story as well as understanding the need of the lessons.

While inspired by scripture, “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” it is not meant to be a literal Bible lesson. The story begins with a boy's father sharing this scripture with him and the boy actually does cast bread upon the waters (feeds the fish).

A lovely book and one I can easily recommend.

About the book:  (Inspired by Jewish folklore, The Generous Fish is the story of a young boy named Reuven who takes a verse from scripture to "cast your bread upon the waters" (Ecclesiastes 11:1) quite literally. The result of his daily act is a giant talking fish with golden scales! Boy and fish spend idyllic days together until the villagers realize those scales are real gold. Every villager has good reason to ask for one. Devorah needs clothes for her children. Old Joseph needs money for a cane. The fish says he has plenty to share. But he grows weak from giving away too much, too fast. Can Reuven stand up to the village and save his friend? Through a unique friendship between a boy and a magic fish, award-winning author Jacqueline Jules has created an environmental fable sure to generate discussion in the classroom and at home. What happens when we want something that depletes another's resources? Frances Tyrrell's finely detailed illustrations delightfully capture a child's innocent love for the natural world. An author's note provides biblical sources on human interaction with the environment.

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Ends May 18 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Wisdom Tales Publishing to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize is provided and mailed directly to the winner by Wisdom Tales. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.