GREAT READS

The Pout-Pout Fish

Deborah Diesen; pictures by Dan Hanna

"I'm a Pout Pout fish, with a pout-pout face, and I spread my dreary wearies all over the place."  This is what Pout-Pout fish says to each of his friends when they ask why he's grumpy and doesn't smile.  Written in rhyme, rhythm and a catchy cadence, this is a great read aloud with bright illustrations.  My two nieces loved it and a classroom of children read the 'chorus' along with me and repeated it long after.  Once you've fallen in love with this picture book, check out how Pout-Pout fish manages his fears in the sequel: Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark.

Recommended by Allison Holbrook