by Deborah Diesen
Illustrated by Dan Hanna
Release date: June 24th, 2014
Published by: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan)
Genre: Children (2yo+)
Format: Hardcover (Board/Picture Book)
Format read: ARC received from the publisher for an honest review.
SUMMARY
Turn little pouts into big smiles!
Mr. Fish is nervously awaiting his first day of school, and he frets about not knowing how to write his name, how to draw shapes, and how to do math —
Mr. Fish is nervously awaiting his first day of school, and he frets about not knowing how to write his name, how to draw shapes, and how to do math —
until he’s reassured that school is the perfect place to learn how to master all of these new skills,
in this new Pout-Pout Fish book from Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna.
OUR REVIEW
Pout-Pout Fish does it again, and now he's going to school!
A funny little rhyming game that Mr. Fish plays with himself that encourages your child to discuss why they are hesitant about starting school.
Mr. Fish is scared and worried he is not ready for school. He does not know where to go and finds himself in different classrooms trying different things, like writing and math, that he does not know how to do. This overwhelms him and he gets upset because he does not know how to do these things yet and he wants to leave school.
His teacher finds him and explains that when you're a new fishie, you're not suppose to know these things yet. You start in a classroom that will help you and one day you will learn how to write, do math, and much more. Don't be discouraged, just try and you'll succeed.
I have to admit, the beginning of the book felt a little discouraging. But, we must remember, Mr. Fish is a pouty fish that sees the negatives first and needs help seeing the positives to in order to turn his frowny face upside down! Like most little kids around the age 3-5, they want to do so much, but because they are so little, they get discouraged very easily and need all the guidance and support that they can get. Mr. Fish and his teacher are sure to give them a much needed boost in realizing that they're not alone and that they will get to where they want to.
Again, the illustrations are wonderfully done in a mystical underwater setting that is fun and relatable. Adorable as always! Looking forward to more books in the near future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Deborah Diesen
Deborah Diesen is the author of The Pout-Pout Fish, a rhyming children's picture book illustrated by Dan Hanna and published by Farrar Straus Giroux. Her book The Barefooted, Bad-Tempered Baby Brigade was published by Tricycle Press. She lives in Michigan.
