The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School (A Pout-Pout Fish Adventure)

The message is overwhelmingly negative until the last few pages. I have a 3.5 year old who loves montessori school and has never feared that he couldn't do something much less that he should give up so easily without asking for help. Mr. Fish on the hand gives up often and talks negatively about himself in the process. Heaven forbid he ask a teacher for help to find the right classroom. I just didn't feel that this book was right for my family.

I second all the reviewers noting the negative repetition in this book. When I started to read aloud the page that says "I'm not smart," and "I'll never get it," I had to quickly change the words for my two year old who I don't want internalizing those ideas. Those aren't things we say around our kid - he's like a sponge and I would never want to introduce concepts or even just words diminishing his confidence. While the author predictably turns it around when the pout pout fish inevitable finds that he CAN do things, it's kind of a little too late after all the negative repetition. I definitely don't recommend this book. I just put it in the donation box, but I'm tempted to throw it out. I don't think it's good for any child to be reading "I'm not smart."

Most children have an attitude at some point, saying "I'm not smart!" "I'll never get it!" "I don't belong!" "I should forget it!" This book is written for those children! In this story, Mr. Fish is recalling his first day of school when he got lost and ended up in the wrong classroom three times! Wanting to forget it all, he heads for the exit when he is stopped by his teacher, Miss Hewitt. She kindly explains that she is there to help him learn and takes him to the classroom marked "Brand New Fish". Miss Hewitt starts off the lessons by telling all the pupils they are going to have "a spectacular year!"

"Fact One: You are smart
Fact Two: You can get it.
Fact Three: You belong
So Four: Don't forget it!"

I can see how some reviewers/readers think this book focuses on the negative too much but as a mother of five children, some of whom really struggle with learning, I can see how this book could be a great encourager. They see another student, albeit a fish, struggling and thinking he will never understand anything, only to see how in the right setting, he can and did do it!

So disappointed with the repeated negative messages. At the end it comes around to a positive and "yet" message but I hate reading the negative part that repeats. This is just part of the pout pout books in general but seems more negative and not enjoyable to read.

Children will identify with the fears of Mr. Pout-Pout about his first day of school. He worries he's not smart, and won't be able to keep up with the other fish. At first he is right. Mr. Pout-Pout can't draw or write his name. He flub-flubs up! There's some fun rhyme in this story.

But by the end of the story you will enjoy seeing Mr. Pout-Pout fish's self portrait. He can do it! He is smart!

It's fun to see what an underwater school looks like with all of the sea creatures. Very colorful and imaginative!

The message that is repeated in this book is terrible-- "I'm not smart" "I'll never get it"
The second I saw those I stopped reading the book and we donated it. We read each book we own over and over again-- why would I want my child to repeat these phrases?

Another good book for children who are starting school for the first time. The Pout Pout Fish Goes to School is a very appealing book for little folks. It also would make beginners at school feel a bit more comfortable, I think. The pictures are bright and colorful and Pout Pout is a very likable fellow. I think it is just a really cute book.

Poor little Pout-Pout is starting school. I say poor, because he is scared. He doesn't know as much as so many of those other fish at school. Will he be able to catch up?

This Pout-Pout has the same beautiful illustrations as the others. The rhyming text flows just as nicely. The ending lesson is sweet. I don't think kids will want to chant along with the repeating pages, as they are a bit depressing. Pout-Pout is pretty down on himself. It is a cute book and a good going-back-to-school one, but it won't be making an appearance in my story times. The last page though, that's pretty adorable!

Odd references. It's intended for young kids but it mentions trouble finding one's locker at school and doing long division.
Also, at the end the fish goes to a class specifically for new fish after being in other classes. How would that relate to kindergarten readers?

This book was so cute! My grandchildren love it and bring it to me to read to them! The illustrations are beautifully done and my grandchildren point out all the different sea creatures in it! A wonderful story to encourage children to learn.