Spotted Fish and Striped Fish are the same type of fish except for the patterns on their scales. After some struggle, they learn to share, help, and care for one another. Spotted Fish and Striped Fish can help all parents teach their children about social and racial equality.
Review
This is a fantastic book for young readers and adults alike. It explores prejudice outside of our cultural context. The fish in this story are well illustrated and teach us to look at others in just loving ways. I think it is a great way to introduce your child to the importance of respecting others and supporting others who might not be the same as ourselves.
This is a great conversation starter for families to talk to their children about how we need to respect one another and help each other. The illustrations are beautiful and fun to look at. The illustrations make it easy for children to point out differences, while the words explore the importance of not judging others because of our differences. K.P. Everfield Press –This text refers to the paperback edition.
From the Author
Carrie and I believe deeply in the power of this story.
We believe that this book can be used to help children heal the racial and socio-economic tensions that rock this nation. A major way to fix these struggles is to help children develop skills like empathy and compassion. The children are our future, after-all.
That way, when faced with a negative situation, the child’s first impulse will not be to lash out with hatred and fear, but to put themselves in the other person’s shoes and see the situation from their point of view. Then a mutually beneficial solution can be found without violence or escalation.
Empathy is such a complex emotion to understand. That is why we have broken it down into smaller components that can be taught individually. And the best thing is that the story is so cute, about two fish, that the children don’t even know they are being taught a life-long skill! –This text refers to the paperback edition.
