Review: The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish

Title: The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish
Author: Deborah Diesen
Illustrator: Dan Hanna
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Pages: 32
Review copy: Final copy via publisher
Availability: On shelves now


My Thoughts: The Pout-Pout Fish has his list of things to do. Getting presents for his friends seems overwhelming. He goes to different stores, but can’t find anything that works for his friends.

There is a repeated refrain, “For a gift should be big, And a gift should be bright. And a gift should be perfect—Guaranteed to bring delight.” Mr. Fish has placed such high expectations on the gifts, that he becomes scared to fail. He's unable to make any decisions until one friend reminds him of what true giving is about.

The creatures are adorably silly looking and the message of giving from the heart makes this a sweet holiday book. Fans of Pout-Pout Fish will be happy to find another fun story to enjoy.

About the Author & Illustrator

Deborah Diesen ( www.deborahdiesen.com ) grew up in Midland, Michigan, and started writing poems at a young age. She has worked as a bookseller and a librarian, and now works for a small nonprofit organization, but her greatest joy comes from writing for children. She lives with her family in Grand Ledge, Michigan.

Dan Hanna (www.danhanna.com ) has over ten years experience in the animation industry, and his work has appeared on BBC America and the Cartoon Network. He lives in Santa Barbara, California. 




Book Tour Schedule
Author Deborah Diesen
November 14, 3pm - Square Books, Oxford, MS
November 16, 3:30pm - Country Bookshop, Southern Pines, NC
November 18, 4pm - Vero Beach Book Center, Vero Beach, FL
November 19, 7pm - Little Shop of Stories, Decatur, GA
November 20, 4pm - Octavia Books, New Orleans, LA Illustrator Dan Hanna
November 15, 11am - WORD Books, Jersey City, NJ
November 16, 4pm - Carmichael’s Bookstore, Louisville, KY
November 17, 4:30pm - Towne Book Center & Cafe, Collegeville, PA
November 18, 4:30pm - Cover to Cover, Columbus, OH
November 19, 4:30pm - Lake Forest Books, Lake Forest, IL
November 21, 12pm - Anderson’s Book Shop, Naperville, IL
November 21, 2pm - Anderson’s Book Shop, La Grange, IL

Learn more at www.poutpoutfish.com.