The Pout-Pout Fish

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.