Deborah Diesen

This is some ugly duckling garbage. The Pout-Pout fish was only able to achieve a sense of happiness and purpose upon discovering that he wasn't the race he thought he was. Sure, it works out just fine when this moron realizes he's actually a Kiss-Kiss fish, but what about the other Pout-Pout fish in the ocean that are going to be Pout-Pout fish forever? And don't you dare tell me that it's impossible for a Pout-Pout fish to be happy just because this one wasn't. Remember, he wasn't actually show more a Pout-Pout fish. We have no idea whether or not this guy had ever interacted with a Pout-Pout fish before. My guess is he just made assumptions about them based on how they looked or what other people said about them. I sense a much better lesson in all this than the one the book presents. It's also important to point out that if people acted like Kiss-Kiss fish do, they'd go to jail. I get why our hero was so excited when he discovered he was a Kiss-Kiss fish. If I believed I could just go smooching whoever I wanted with impunity, it would probably take me five wonderful, shameful minutes before I realized that it still remained a bad thing to do to people. Anyway, I hope this guy ended up as part of a Filet-O-Fish. show less

In the ocean, a fish called The Pout-Pout Fish gets harassed by all his neighbors for pouting and being grumpy instead of smiling. Then one day a “beautiful” sparkly fish comes up to The Pout-Pout Fish, kisses him, then swims away. The Pout-Pout Fish realizes he can be happy and now he goes around kissing other fish.

Obviously this story is pretty gross if you think about it for half a second. Even worse than the rampant kissing strangers without consent is the part where all the other show more fish refuse to be friends with The Pout-Pout Fish as he is. In the scene right before the strange female-coded fish comes to kiss him, The Pout-Pout Fish is laying upside down on a rock which, of course, means that to the viewer he appears to be smiling. How easy it would have been to have all the other fish realize they had just been looking at The Pout-Pout Fish the wrong way! But no.

However, the art is very cute, and the rhymes are good. For the very littlest kids, they like the smooching! I’d recommend it hesitantly for toddlers who just like the way it sounds, but not for preschoolers who might have some reading comprehension. show less

Although all of his maritime friends attempt to convince the eponymous Pout-Pout Fish to cheer up, the sour-puss swimmer insists that he is what he is, and that he can't help being down in the dumps. It is only when another fish, swimming along in a "silent silver shimmer," happens by and kisses him, that our piscine hero undergoes a transformation...

Pairing an engaging tale told in rhyme with colorful, appealing artwork, The Pout-Pout Fish is a picture-book that would make an excellent show more read-aloud selection, especially with its 'blubby' refrain. I really liked illustrator Dan Hanna's color palette here - lots of beautiful shades on view, so this story definitely doesn't take place in the north Atlantic! - and I thought the text read very well. Recommended to anyone looking for fun picture-books in rhyme, or for children's stories about emotional states and our attitude toward the world around us. show less

In The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen, the central theme of self-identity and emotional transformation is conveyed through rhythmic, repetitive language and engaging narrative structure. The main character, Mr. Fish, initially defines himself through a fixed mindset, repeatedly insisting that he is destined to be gloomy. However, his character development becomes evident as the story progresses, ultimately shifting toward a more positive and flexible understanding of himself.

Diesen’s use show more of rhyme and repetition functions as an important literary device, reinforcing the protagonist’s internal conflict while also making the text accessible and memorable for young readers. Additionally, the story incorporates elements of dialogue and pattern, which contribute to its strong oral storytelling quality. The turning point, when Mr. Fish is unexpectedly kissed, serves as a symbolic moment of change, representing how external interactions can influence one’s self-perception.

Dan Hanna’s illustrations enhance characterization and mood through expressive visuals and vibrant underwater imagery, helping to convey emotions that support the text. As a children’s picture book, it follows genre conventions such as repetition and clear resolution while still delivering a meaningful message.

This book resonates with children because it addresses emotions and identity in a relatable way, encouraging them to recognize that feelings and self-definitions can change. As a future educator, I see this book as a valuable tool for social-emotional learning, particularly in teaching students about mindset and emotional expression. show less