The Pout-Pout Fish

Product Description

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 Deborah Diesen's fun fish story that's sure to turn even the poutiest of frowns upside down.

Top Reviews

So many bad lessons
by MissJ1234 (1 out of 5 stars)
August 27, 2018

I am really shocked that this book has such excellent reviews. The first time I read it, I was horrified. It basically consists of fish coming up to the Pout Pout Fish and telling him to smile. As a woman who has uninvitedly been told by many men on the street to "smile" during the course of my life, I did not like like that we are basically telling children it is ok to walk up to someone and tell them what to do with their face. It also teaches them that only certain facial expressions are ok, and that instead of asking why the Pout Pout Fish might feel sad, we tell him to just fake a happy face. The worst part though is that the book ends with some strange fish coming up to the Pout Pout Fish and just kissing him without asking first. Umm....consent issues much? I get it is supposed to be cute because it makes him happy...and then he goes around and starts kissing other sea creatures without asking (becoming a Kiss Kiss Fish). No, just no. We do not touch other people without their consent and we certainly do not kiss strangers without their permission. The illustrations are beautiful and the refrain is cute, but man this book is problematic to say the least.
↭ 🍁 ↭
Detailed illustrations can't rescue a terrible story.
by Kelly (1 out of 5 stars)
June 22, 2018

As a former teacher, I can say with confidence that this book encourages two behaviors that may be detrimental to children:
1) Criticize others that don't smile often or seem to be in a good mood. Criticize them enough so that they believe that's "just how they are."
2) In order to make someone appear happy, a stranger needs to kiss them. In turn, that someone will think it's alright to go around kissing everyone else without asking.

Why would anyone want to promote these behaviors?

How about asking the person if there's anything that can be done to help them talk about what's making them feel down? How about asking someone before engaging in physical contact? These two options promote respect and healthy behaviors for all involved.

NYT Best Seller or not, I'm returning this book and flagging it for other families as a poor choice. Detailed illustrations can't rescue a terrible story.
↭ 🍁 ↭
Consent Issues
by Y,Top Contributor: Baby (2 out of 5 stars)
September 22, 2018

The book is cute with fun rhymes... but I'll be returning it because it's not a message I want to send to my kiddo. The story consists of a bunch of friends telling the Pout-Pout Fish to change his facial expression & then a stranger comes & nonconsensually kisses him which he likes & then he proceeds to nonconsensually kiss everyone too.

The Bully Shark & Christmas Pout Pout Fish books have slightly worse rhymes, but good lessons. I am keeping those.
↭ 🍁 ↭
A book in which a simple act of kindness goes a long way toward changing someone's self-portrait!
by Grandma Zizzy,Top Contributor: Baby (5 out of 5 stars)
October 22, 2017

This is one of the books we had under the tree last year for our youngest grandson, a darling little board book that - from my take on it - delivers two clear messages that are true not just for the children this book was designed for, but adults as well. First, that how we see ourselves can become a self-fulfilling prophesy... if we compare ourselves unfavorably to others in our circle (i.e. so-and-so can do such-and-such much better than I, such-and-such comes so easily for others but not for me, I'm not as loveable as so-and-so), and keep re-playing that tape in our heads (perhaps reinforced by how we feel others view us), then what we "see" in that mirror is who we'll end up being. But if we focus instead on what we have to OFFER to others, we can change that reflection to one we feel a whole lot better about! The other is that we are capable of influencing others in positive ways by demonstrating simple acts of kindness and compassion, much moreso than using words to point out faults or telling people how they "should" be, "should" feel, "should" act.

Brushing off the admonishments of his friends to stop being such a gloomy gus, (Ms. Clam with her winning smile, graceful Mr. Jelly(fish), slender Mrs. Squid, and Mr. Eight, an octopus who just lays it right out there: "Your hulky-bulky sulking is an unattractive trait!", the pout-pout fish has come to believe that spreading the "dreary-wearies" is just who he is, and accepted it as his fate. Then one day a new fish arrives, and rather than dispensing more words, she non-judgementally gives him a simple kiss and swims away. Experiencing how good her gesture made him feel, that simple act awakens the pout-pout fish to the possibility of what he himself might be capable of - "spreading cheery-cheeries all over the place!"

At just 2 1/2, we weren't able to explain it in those exact words to our grandson, but he's past 3 now and children at young ages have minds just like sponges - though they might not realize it, those are the lessons they'll begin soaking in with this charming book. REALLY like this book! Sturdy 6-1/2" x 6-1/2" book with thick pages for child-friendly turning.
↭ 🍁 ↭
Terrible message for kids about bodily autonomy
by Jen T. (1 out of 5 stars)
May 29, 2018

Got rid of it because the message of "hey, smile!" is a horrible one in these times when I'm trying to raise a strong, independent girl. Even more troubling is that someone can just come kiss you without any preamble and that's a good thing?

There were a lot of other ways to tell a story about a fish with Resting Pout Face without sending a message of paying to move through the world by forcing yourself to smile, or violating strangers' bodily autonomy.
↭ 🍁 ↭
Message is unclear to potentially problematic
by Shade (1 out of 5 stars)
October 9, 2018

The illustrations are beautiful and adorable. However, I was quite disturbed by the story and regret buying this book. Essentially, the main character (male) swims around with a facial expression that the other characters judge and tell him to change his expression to please others ("Your hulky-bulky sulking is an unattractive trait!"). Then, a stranger comes along and kisses him (without his permission). This changes his entire outlook and then he goes around kissing everyone else (not clear if they gave permission). Due to concerns about the messages of this book (though probably not intended), I will not be sharing this book with my daughter.
↭ 🍁 ↭
Great for toddlers/young kids
by Stella (5 out of 5 stars)
January 12, 2018

This (and another one from the same series) has become the favorite book of a 2.5 year old - she absolutely loves it. It also keeps the attention of a 6 year old - a great book for a toddler to a small kid. The messaging is simple but great. It is written in a more sophisticated language rather than simple baby speak of a lot of books for that age (which makes it a lot easier to keep reading over and over for an adult...) but the rhyming makes it accessible for young kids. The illustrations are also excellent and well thought out. Overall it's a fun and entertaining book.
↭ 🍁 ↭
My child's favorite book!
by KLL (5 out of 5 stars)
June 30, 2018

This is my sons favorite book hands down! He is 18 months old, and he loves the way this book rhymes. Any child will love this book, and the story is cute and heartwarming. I definitely recommend this!
↭ 🍁 ↭
No story arc, but at least it has an antiquated message.
by Keri Moss (1 out of 5 stars)
September 10, 2018

The rhyme is fun in the first 1/2 of the book, but there is no story arc. And the only message from the book is that a beautiful fish (woman) will make the grumpiest fish (man) happy. This man will then kiss everyone. How in the world is this book so popular?
↭ 🍁 ↭
Could you wrap in any more negative messages?
by TB (1 out of 5 stars)
May 15, 2018

The drawings are cute but the story is horrible. All the fish tell PP to smile more, including telling him "it's an unattractive trait." Things change when a beautiful lady fish whom no one has seen before appears "but instead of saying hey... she plants a kiss upon his pout and hen she swims away." Suddenly he is happy and spreads his newfound joy but similarly kissing all the other fish without asking.

Awesome?

I don't need every book to teach great moral lesson but jeez. This is so not okay on any level.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

*If this is not the "The Pout-Pout Fish" product you were looking for, you can check the other results by clicking this link.  Details were last updated on Feb 25, 2026 03:26 +08.