Publishers Weekly
05/26/2014
In repeating, rhymed verse, Diesen recounts Mr. Fish’s first day of school. With big, purple-rimmed eyes and downturned lips, he roams from classroom to classroom, trying to keep up (“The class was doing math,/ And most everybody knew it./ So he tried long division.../ But he just couldn’t do it”). Finally, kindly Miss Hewitt introduces him to her classroom for Brand-New Fish—right where he belongs. While Mr. Fish’s story ends a bit oddly, with a class reunion years later, readers who have known the sinking feeling of falling behind at school should find their spirits buoyed. Ages 2–5. Author’s agent: Alyssa Eisner Henkin, Trident Media Group. (July)
From the Publisher
Diesen tackles a worry not often found in back-to-school books; young Mr. Fish will ease children's fears about what will be expected of them.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Fans of this series will appreciate Diesen's rhythmic - and ultimately reassuring - text, and Hanna's sunny illustrations contain many clever details.” —Booklist
School Library Journal
07/01/2014
PreS-K—Pout-Pout Fish is back, this time recalling when he left for school "for the first time of all." As he floats down the corridor looking into each classroom, however, he discovers students doing things that, try as he might, he just can't accomplish. With failures at writing, drawing shapes, and long division, the discouraged fish counts off his troubles: "I'm not smart! I'll never get it! I don't belong! So forget it!" Enter Miss Hewitt, his understanding teacher, who assures Fish that "You don't have to know things/You haven't learned yet!" "I'm here to help you learn," she continues. "With practice, you will get it." The humorous cartoon illustrations depict a variety of sea creatures at their schoolwork and large views of Fish earnestly trying various tasks and giving up in "flub-flub exasperation," tongue lolling out of his mouth or hiding under his writing pad. Each time he recites his troubles, he appears hanging onto letters, shapes, or numbers. Youngsters will enjoy repeating the bouncy rhymed text. And when they are faced with a new challenge or when things seem too difficult, they can repeat the mantra "We are smart! We can get it! We belong! We won't forget it!" A confidence-boosting offering.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT
Kirkus Reviews
2014-05-14
This look back at when Mr. Fish was young and starting school for the first time focuses on belonging.Poor little Mr. Fish is not having a good first day of school. It started off well enough with a smooch from his parents, but then he lost his way in the big building. He peeks in several doorways and attempts to do the work he sees the other little fish doing, but he just can't, whether it's writing his name, drawing a rhombus or doing long division. Each time, the frustrated fish plops down his pencil and counts his troubles: "Trouble One: I'm not smart! / Trouble Two: I'll never get it! / Trouble Three: I don't belong! / So Four: I should forget it!" Just as he is ready to leave the school, his new teacher finds him and turns his troubles on their heads with a rhyme sure to accompany children on their own first days. As in the Pout-Pout Fish's other adventures, Hanna's cartoonish ocean realm is full of details for both children and adults (don't miss the posters and signs on the school walls), the various sea creatures using whatever appendages they have to complete their schoolwork.Diesen tackles a worry not often found in back-to-school books; young Mr. Fish will ease children's fears about what will be expected of them. (Picture book. 2-5)
