The golden fish of Huelleo-Huelleo River, whose body shines like gold from eating the golden sand of the river. This active fish helps people living in Golden Sand Village who work near the Huelleo-Huelleo River. He helps round up fish for the fishermen, he gives children rides on his back, he pulls out one of his gold teeth to shine a light in dark alleys when the street light breaks down at night, and even looks after babies.
But one day, the Huelleo-Huelleo River becomes dirty and murky. A big monster destroyed houses of Golden Sand Village, and the dark concrete debris covers the sand the golden fish eats. The golden fish can no longer stay in the river, and the fisherman and the children no longer live there either. To a place beyond those buildings which took away the golden shine of everyone, the golden fish says his last farewell, which no one will ever hear, and disappears.
At Golden Sand Village, where man and nature long lived peacefully together in harmony, development and urbanization are taking place, forcing out the people who used to live there along with the golden fish, which represents nature. With the message that nature is becoming damaged, the story evokes sincere and deep emotions. From the perspective of looking at environmental issues that have been garnering great attention in recent years, The Golden Fish is a picture book that presents a lot of elements to consider for children as well as adults.
The author, Kim Gyujeong, used to live near a river until he moved next to the sea, so he has a particular affection towards rivers and the organisms living in them. As the author witnessed changes in rivers and their surroundings, he started writing The Golden Fish to deliver the message that man is part of nature and that man depends on rivers with the hope that man will no longer damage the lives of those he coexists with in nature.
"Gold" in the book symbolizes the two opposing elements of the fish and the buildings. Reading through The Golden Fishwill trigger readers to think about which "gold" should we pursue.
School Library Journal, 2013, Recommended book for Nature/Science/Environment/Ecology for Children