The Pout-Pout Fish: questions to ask and activities to try
The Pout-Pout Fish is gloomy and spreads the dreary-wearies all over the ocean, however much his friends try to cheer him up. Then someone surprises him, and he changes his tune.
What age is The Pout-Pout Fish for?
The Pout-Pout Fish is best for ages 3–6.
The Pout-Pout Fish (Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna)
- Age
- 3-6
- Best for
- Grumpy moods, and the idea that moods can change
Only 50pThe Pout-Pout Fish activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Read the "blub, blub, blub" bits in your gloomiest voice. Talk about what helps your child when they feel grumpy, and whether a mood can change.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 3–6 (nursery to Year 1)
- What they'll enjoy
- The Pout-Pout Fish is gloomy and spreads the dreary-wearies all over the ocean, however much his friends try to cheer him up. Then someone surprises him, and he changes his tune.
- Helps with
- Grumpy moods, and the idea that moods can change
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
What it helps with
- Grumpy moods
- Moods can change
- Kindness from friends
- Rhyme and rhythm
Comprehension and discussion questions for The Pout-Pout Fish
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Why was the Pout-Pout Fish so gloomy?”
- “What did his friends say to him?”
- “What changed his mood?”
- “Do you think he really had to stay grumpy?”
- “What do you do when you feel grumpy?”
- “How can you help a friend who feels down?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for The Pout-Pout Fish
All 6 questions for The Pout-Pout Fish on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
Mood faces
Draw the fish with a pout, then draw him again with a smile. Talk about what happened in between.
Cheer-up kit
Make a list or box of things that help your child feel better: a cuddle, a song, a favourite toy.
The Pout-Pout Fish activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to The Pout-Pout Fish, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about grumpy moods.
A 20-minute session for ages 3–6 (nursery to Year 1), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Read the "blub, blub, blub" bits in your gloomiest voice. Talk about what helps your child when they feel grumpy, and whether a mood can change.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Why was the Pout-Pout Fish so gloomy?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Mood faces. Draw the fish with a pout, then draw him again with a smile. Talk about what happened in between. Children who finish early can try Cheer-up kit.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The The Pout-Pout Fish activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
Grumpy Monkey (Suzanne Lang and Max Lang)
- Best for
- Grumpy moods that don't have a clear reason
- Age
- 3-7
The Rainbow Fish (Marcus Pfister)
- Best for
- Sharing, and finding that friends matter more than shiny things
- Age
- 3-6
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.