Inatimeofalternativefactsandthelossofasharedsenseofreality,AFootisNotaFishplayfullyillustratesthedifferencebetweenwhatistrueandwhatisnotthroughabsurdfuncomparisonsthateverychild--andparent--willinstantlyunderstand.Oneofourimportantresponsibilitiesasparents,grandparents,andteachersistoreinforceandsupportourchildren’sperceptionsofreality,andtostrengthentheirabilitytodistinguishwhatisreal,true,andprovablefromwhatisbelieforopinionorwish.Theydolearn,naturally,astheygrowfrombabyhood,whatisrealandtrue;theydelightinrecognizingthatastoryoragameis“pretend,“andarequicktoobjectwhensomeoneelsesayssomethingthattheyrecognizeis“nottrue!“Thisbookaimstoplayfullyillustratecommonandobservabletruthsbymakingabsurdcomparisons:“afootisnotafish.“Itaimstoshowthatitisnothardtoseewhatistrue,anditalsotriestoestablishthat,tomakesenseofourmutualworld,agreementaboutwhatistrueisnecessary.Whatifsomeofusthoughtthatafootwasafish?Childrenunderstandthatwhiledifferentpeoplehavedifferentbeliefsandopinions--suchasaboutreligion,orwhatisgoodtoeat--theyalsounderstandthatbeliefsandopinionsarenotthesameasfacts,suchaswhatis“night“or“day.“Realitycannotbechangedbysimplysayingtheoppositeofwhatistrue:“wecan’tjustsaythatredisgreen.“Childrenalsounderstandthatthereisadifferencebetweenawishandwhatistrue.Theyunderstand,oncetheyarepasttoddlerhood,thatwecannotchangethetruthjustbywishingorhoping:“awishisjustawish.“Theyknowthat,althoughtheymightwishittobeso,everydaycannotbetheirbirthday.Encouragingchildrentocreatetheirownverses(rhymingornot)canbefun,andcanfurtherhelpthemintheirunderstandingofwhatisrealandwhatisnot.Theyundoubtedlywillcomeupwithsurprisingandfunnyexamplesoftheirown.A________isnota_________!
