Book Review
by Ashley Beecher
The Pout-Pout Fish, by Deborah Diesen, is a fun book that teaches kids the importance of emotional learning. Mr. Fish believes he is a “pout-pout” fish and he doesn’t have control over it. It’s just the way he is and he goes around with a frown “spreading dreary-wearies” to all his friends. His friends tell him they aren’t a fan of his constant frown, some tactfully and others with less tact. It isn’t until another fish comes along and gives him a kiss that Mr. Fish sees another perspective and chooses to spread “cheery-cheeries” instead.
The illustrator, Dan Hanna, captures a number of interesting sea creatures and gives many of them expressive faces that allow discussion of their different emotions. Mr. Fish’s frowny face is particularly expressive throughout the book, but his squid friend has a rather disappointed expression and his octopus friend seems rather critical. Pay careful attention to the background characters in the illustrations to find confusion, surprise, and perhaps a touch of anxiety.
The most important message here is that Mr. Fish thinks he must be a pout pout fish, until his experience with another fish shows him that he has a choice. He can choose to be a kiss kiss fish instead of a pout pout fish, just as children (and adults too!) have a choice in how they feel and express feelings. With practice and perspective, anyone can choose how they approach a situation.
As a final note, remind your child that kissing others without permission isn’t necessarily the best answer. If your child might struggle with respecting another person’s space, you can brainstorm other actions that teach them they are in charge of their emotions, like deep breaths, happy thoughts, or finding a quiet spot to themselves.
Look for this book in your local bookstore or library, or purchase it on Amazon here.
Activity
Practice identifying emotions using the provided eyes and mouths to create different facial expressions. Glue your favorite to the face and add the final details.
Supplies:
Free Printouts (download from the buttons below), scissors, glue, crayons or markers, yarn/pipe cleaners for decoration (optional)
Directions:
Color the eyes and mouths, then cut them out.- Try different expressions using different combinations of eyes and mouths in the boxes on the face. Discuss which emotions might go with the expression.
- Pick your favorite combination of eyes and mouth. Glue them into the box and write the emotion on the line.
Finish the face by coloring it and adding hair, freckles, or any other details you’d like.
Different Variations:
- Don’t see a mouth and eyes combination you like? Draw your own!
- Print multiple copies of the worksheet and make expressions for various emotions. For example: Make a sad face, a happy face, an angry face, and a scared face.
- For Older Children: Discuss more complex emotions or attempt to make combinations that include more than one emotion. Can you capture anxiety, instead of fear? Or create an expression for bittersweet emotions?
Author: Ashley Beecher
Ashley is a mom, writer, reader, and board game enthusiast. She loves sharing her interests with her husband and two children, as well as encouraging them to pursue their own hobbies. She hopes to teach her kids to chase their dreams and do what they love (but in a realistic, quantifiable kind of way).