The Pout-Pout Fish [Hardcover]

Deborah Diesen (Author), Daniel X. Hanna (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: March 18, 2008 | Age Range: 3 - 6 years

A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

Deep in the water,
Mr. Fish swims about
With his fish face stuck
In a permanent pout.

Can his pals cheer him up?
Will his pout ever end?
Is there something he can learn
From an unexpected friend?

Swim along with the pout-pout fish as he discovers that being glum and spreading “dreary wearies” isn’t really his destiny. Bright ocean colors and playful rhyme come together in this fun fish story that’s sure to turn even the poutiest of frowns upside down.

The Pout-Pout Fish is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-In Deborah Diesen's light-hearted picture book (Farrar, Straus, 2008), poor Pout-Pout Fish who wears a frown feels that it's his duty to spread the "dreary-wearies" in the deep dark sea. But is this really his destiny? In this upbeat romp through the ocean floor, Pout-Pout Fish encounters a myriad of ocean friends who try to talk him out of his bad mood with fun and encouraging advice. The bright and bold cartoon illustrations by Dan Hanna accompany Diesen's amusing rhythmic text. Alexander Gould (the voice of Nemo in Finding Nemo) skillfully narrates the text. Page-turn signals are optional. A good choice for school and public library collections.-Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, NYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“Younger kids will love the repetition of the verses in this tale of a pout-pout fish.” —TIME magazine, from its Top 10 Childrens’ Books of 2008 List

"Winning artwork...Hanna’s cartoonish undersea world swims with hilarious bug-eyed creatures that ooze personality" —Kirkus Reviews

 

"Appealing...the cartoon illustrations of undersea life are bright and clean and the protagonist's exaggerated expressions are entertaining." —School Library Journal

 

"Diesen's clever rhymes are playful and fun and are sure to keep children's imaginations swimming from page to page." —Times Record News

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 3 - 6 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); First Edition edition (March 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374360960
• ISBN-13: 978-0374360962
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (194 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Fish
  • #53 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Emotions & Feelings
  • #95 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Friendship

More About the Author

I'm a children's book author who lives in Michigan. My books include The Pout-Pout Fish; The Pout-Pout Fish In The Big-Big Dark; and The Barefooted, Bad-Tempered Baby Brigade.

For more information about my books, stop by my web site at www.deborahdiesen.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Deserves Five Stars January 6, 2009

By E. C.

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I don't believe for a second that the vocabulary level is really the point of this book. It has rhythm, alliteration, and emotion. If you read like Ben Stein, it might not be that great.
But if you are excited to read it with your kids, it brings the story to life. Don't worry about a few big words. Kids don't know all of the meanings to every word, but they can understand the story through context, just like we do.
Pout Pout is wonderful. I have it for my son who has loved it since he was 6 months when I found it. I gave it as a shower gift. My friend's new born loves the rhythm and feels soothed by hearing this book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Teaches an Important Psychological Truth September 1, 2008

By Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein

Format:Hardcover

As a positive psychologist I am very impressed with this book's important message. Often times people spend a life time grumpy or down in the dumps, unaware of who they really are or what their potential is. So imagine a world, where kids learn at two and three that they are in control of their nature and do have a choice as to how to respond! Our world would be so much better off. And that is the way I see this book. The fish has this great realization that the very parts of him that he felt made him dreay and weary, were really the parts that turn him into a kissing fish who could spread cheer everywhere! I hope moms and dads use the insight level of this book to encourage discussion and remind their kids that they can turn any of their traits into good and positive uses! This book is a must for young kids and their parents and should leave all kissing!

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Illustrations April 14, 2008

By G. Brown

Format:Hardcover

Not only does this book have a touching and entertaining story, but the illustrations are amazing! You will have so much fun with Mr. Hanna's imaginative creatures that you'll be lost in the pages for hours. A must buy for people of all ages!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Kids and a Great Message for All March 31, 2008

By David Dixon

Format:Hardcover

The Pout-Pout Fish really impressed me with its humor, creative illustrations, and positive message. It is fun to read over and over to your little ones. BRAVO!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The power of positive influence and choice for kids November 16, 2009

By Kenneth G. Jensen

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Two wonderful lessons are taught with beautiful illustrations and catchy verse. My children want this read over and over. This book teaches that we have choice in regards to our attitude and that we can indeed affect others with our attitude. My 3 year old almost has this memorized as the verse is simple and catchy. She loves the pictures and the ending :)

My wife shared this with a neighbor, who frankly admitted, "oh my gosh, I am a Pout Pout Fish!" and has been working to change that. Children and adults will leave with a warm heart for the messages, the illustrations and the rhyming verses.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely love this book!! March 10, 2011

By HowardULove

Format:Hardcover

The Pout-Pout Fish is definitely one of my favorite childrens books!! The illustrations are remarkable and the rhyming text maintains children's attention!! I am a mommy of two and an elementary school counselor - I love reading this book to my children at bedtime and I plan to implement this book into some of my guidance lessons. I also love the message in the book - it's amazing what a little love and a kiss can do!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My Son Loves This Book October 10, 2011

By V. Roberts

Format:Hardcover

I am doing homeschool preschool with my almost 3-year-old son. I got this book from the library when we were learning about feelings. The first time I read it, he laughed hysterically throughout the entire thing. I renewed the book to keep it from the library longer and now have to order one. This book has became a favorite for my son and I've now read it so much that he can recite from memory many parts of this book. It's quite funny to hear a toddler try and say "kaleidoscope of mope". Even my 20-month-old daughter loves this book. Whenever she sees it she exclaims, "pow-pow" (her attempt at saying "pout-pout").

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh My Gosh...This might be my new favorite childrens book! November 16, 2010

By HoopQueen33

Format:Hardcover

My son asked to buy this at his school book fair. He is in the 2nd grade and is into chapter books now but really wanted this book. Upon arriving home he immediately began reading it to his little sister, a 1st grader, and the family friends that happened to be visiting. He was so animated while he was reading that it took us grown-ups back to a time when we use to sit in our grade school classrooms and have the teachers read to us! The rhythm of the passages made it easy for him to read as well. And the ending... wonderful to say the least! I wanted him to read it again as soon as he was done.

I have recommended this to all my friends with young children. The illustrations are beautiful and I find my two children with the book just looking at the pages just to see what they missed the last time they looked at it.

Yes, it has a wonderful message as well. The power of positive choices and influences and my kids understood this too. We have children's books all over our house and this one is now residing in our 'favorites' section along with Dr Seuss and a few others.

We have decided to video tape my son reading it since we enjoy the book and how he reads it. We will be sending the video with the book to some young friends for Christmas (and I will get my copy as well!)