Author Profile
Deborah Diesen
28 Books
Deborah Diesen is an American children's book author best known for her immensely popular "Pout-Pout Fish" series. Her rhyming picture books feature the endearing, gloomy fish who learns to overcome his grumpiness and navigate various emotional challenges. Her playful language and heartwarming themes have made her works a staple in early childhood reading.
In autumn, a mother and daughter dig into the soil and tuck bulbs into the ground one by one. The garden does not bloom right away, but beneath the dirt, something small is beginning its quiet work.
Bloom is a gentle picture book about planting, waiting, growing, and love. Young readers can follow the simple steps of creating a garden while also feeling the deeper warmth of a parent-child relationship. The story connects the patience of gardening with the wonder of watching something become strong and beautiful over time. Calm, lush, and reassuring, it is a thoughtful choice for children who enjoy nature stories, family stories, and books that notice how small beginnings can hold great promise.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Mr. Fish is tired, but sleep will not come. He turns this way and that, trying to rest, while the quiet ocean night stretches around him. Luckily, his underwater friends are ready to help him figure out what might make bedtime feel calmer.
The Pout-Pout Fish and the Can't-Sleep Blues is a gentle, rhyming picture book for young readers who sometimes find it hard to settle down. As Mr. Fish listens to friendly advice and searches for a bedtime routine, the story gives children a familiar look at restless nights without making them feel scary. Softly reassuring and easy to read aloud, this underwater tale is a comforting choice for bedtime, classroom conversations about routines, and fans of Mr. Fish's expressive adventures.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
Mr. Fish is going to the dentist, and his nerves are starting to bubble. A dental visit can feel full of questions: What will happen? Will it be strange? Can the dentist really help him smile?
The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to the Dentist is a friendly picture book for young readers who may feel unsure about checkups, teeth, or new health routines. With Mr. Fish as a familiar guide, the story turns a common childhood worry into something easier to talk about. The simple premise, gentle humor, and included stickers make it especially inviting for children who like interactive extras with their stories. This book is a useful read before a first dentist visit or anytime a child needs a little reassurance about trying something new.
6-8 Years
24 Pages
Two ocean stories swim together in one flip-book adventure. On one side, Mr. Fish is feeling glum and spreading dreary wearies through the sea, until his friends help him wonder whether a pout has to be his whole story. Flip the book over, and Willa Whale faces a worry of her own: raising her fin in class.
The Pout-Pout Fish / The Worry-Worry Whale and the Classroom Jitters Bindup Flip Book introduces young readers to two expressive underwater characters in playful rhyme. With school feelings, social worries, and friendship at the heart of the book, it offers an inviting read for children who are learning how to name emotions, ask questions, and take brave little steps in a classroom community.
6-8 Years
Picture day is serious business, and this boy has been planning for months. The outfit, the look, the pose—everything must be perfect. But one weak moment throws his careful plan off course, and suddenly picture day is not going the way he expected at all.
Picture Day Perfection is a funny school story about expectations, mishaps, and the difference between looking perfect and having a perfectly memorable day. Young readers will recognize the pressure of wanting something to turn out just right, especially when grown-ups, classmates, and a camera are involved. With a playful premise and a sharp sense of humor, this picture book is a lively choice for classroom read-alouds, back-to-school shelves, and anyone who has ever worried about a school photo.
6-8 Years
Fall does not arrive all at once. It whispers through colorful leaves, calls from geese overhead, waits in pumpkin patches, and glows in small details you might miss unless you pause to notice.
Hello, Fall! follows a grandfather and granddaughter as they welcome the autumn season with wonder and attention. This warm picture book invites young readers to look closely at the world around them and find beauty in ordinary seasonal changes. The language is gentle and poetic, making it a lovely read-aloud for children who enjoy nature, family walks, and quiet moments of discovery. With its affectionate intergenerational relationship and celebration of fall, the story is well suited for classrooms, libraries, and cozy reading at home.
6-8 Years
17 Pages
The Story of Voting Rights in America
A vote is powerful, but for much of United States history, that power was denied to many people. Equality's Call introduces young readers to the long struggle for voting rights, beginning with the nation's founding ideals and moving through the efforts of activists who worked to make democracy more inclusive.
Written in an accessible picture-book style, this nonfiction book helps readers ages six to twelve understand that rights have often been expanded because people spoke up, organized, and demanded fairness. The book does not turn history into something simple; instead, it presents the voting rights story with clarity, urgency, and hope. It is a strong choice for classrooms, libraries, and families discussing civic participation, equality, and the ongoing work of making every voice count.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
44 Pages
The holiday season is here, and Mr. Fish is feeling the pressure. You know how hard it can be to find the absolute perfect present for your best friends. Mr. Fish wants to find gifts that are big, bright, and guaranteed to bring delight. So, he swims off on a giant holiday shopping quest, determined to shop until he drops!
But as the stores get crowded and the shelves empty out, that familiar pout starts to return. Nothing seems quite right for his friends in the deep blue sea. Will he ever find the perfect presents in time for the holidays?
Join your favorite gloomy fish as he discovers that you do not need a store to find something special. Sometimes, the most meaningful gifts do not come in a shiny box, but straight from the heart.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
Poppy hears a rustle beyond the fence, and curiosity wins. One dig under, one peek through, and suddenly she has found another puppy. Then two more floppy friends join in, and the day tumbles into a lively puppy adventure.
Pippa and Percival, Pancake and Poppy is a joyful rhyming picture book filled with scampering, sniffing, galloping energy. Young dog lovers will enjoy following the puppies as they explore together, dash into fun, and then race back toward the comfort of home when something gives them a fright. With its bouncy language and sweet sense of motion, this story works well for read-aloud time and for children who love animal friendships, playful mischief, and cozy endings that feel safe without spoiling the fun.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Mr. Fish has a plan: he will make a painting for his friends at school, and he will do it all by himself. No help needed. Not one bit.
But creating something new does not always go the way you expect. When Mr. Fish’s painting plan runs into trouble, readers follow him through a small but very relatable lesson about confidence, creativity, and knowing when friends can help.
Written as a Level 1 beginning reader, You Can Do It, Pout-Pout Fish! uses simple sentences, familiar characters, and a school setting to support children who are building reading independence. It is a gentle, encouraging story for readers learning that doing your best does not always mean doing everything alone.
6-8 Years
26 Pages
A little frown can feel big, but Mr. Fish is ready to swim toward a smile.
This short Pout-Pout Fish mini-adventure brings young readers back under the sea for a gentle story about worried and sad feelings. With only a small amount of text on each page, the book keeps the reading experience simple while the bright illustrations carry plenty of expression and warmth.
Smile, Pout-Pout Fish is a comforting picture book for children who enjoy familiar characters, rhythmic language, and reassuring stories about emotions. It works well as a quick read-aloud when a child needs something light, kind, and easy to enjoy.
6-8 Years
14 Pages
The sea is getting sleepy, and so is Mr. Fish.
In this cozy Pout-Pout Fish story, young readers follow drowsy Mr. Fish as bedtime arrives and he gets ready for his seaweed bed. The story is short, gentle, and easy to settle into, with a soothing rhythm that fits a quiet read-aloud at the end of the day.
Sweet Dreams, Pout-Pout Fish is a warm bedtime picture book for children who like familiar undersea friends, simple language, and soft good-night stories. It keeps the mood calm and reassuring while giving fans of Mr. Fish a small, peaceful adventure before sleep.
6-8 Years
14 Pages
Mr. Fish is having one of those mornings when every little thing feels like too much. A disappointment here, a frustration there, and soon his mad feelings are piling up higher and higher. He does not want to stay angry, but calming down is harder than it looks.
The Pout-Pout Fish and the Mad, Mad Day is a rhyming picture book about anger, friendship, and learning to use words when feelings get big. Young readers can swim along as Mr. Fish notices what anger feels like and receives support from friends who care about him. Warm and approachable, this story gives children a familiar character through whom to explore frustration, self-compassion, and the first steps toward handling a rough day.
6-8 Years
19 Pages
Mr. Fish is starting school, and his worries are swimming fast. He does not know how to write his name. He cannot draw every shape. Math feels confusing, too. What if everyone else already knows how to do the things he has not learned yet?
The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School is a reassuring rhyming picture book about first-day jitters and the real purpose of school. Young readers will recognize Mr. Fish's nervous thoughts, especially if they are beginning a new classroom, meeting a new teacher, or trying skills that feel difficult. With friendly underwater characters and a comforting message, this story helps children see school as a place for learning, practicing, and growing rather than a place where they must already know everything.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
Mr. Fish and his friends love playing at the park, until a shark arrives and starts bullying everyone. Mr. Fish knows the shark's behavior is wrong, but speaking up can feel difficult when you are just one fish facing someone much bigger.
The Pout-Pout Fish and the Bully-Bully Shark is a rhyming picture book about kindness, courage, and the power of using your voice. Young readers can follow Mr. Fish as he worries, watches, and looks for a way to help his friends. The story offers an age-appropriate look at bullying without becoming too heavy, making it useful for conversations about friendship, community, and what it can mean to stand up for others.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
At school, Mr. Fish feels left out. Everyone seems to have someone to play with, and making a new friend feels much harder than simply swimming away.
This beginning reader follows Mr. Fish as he wonders how friendship starts and whether he can find the courage to try. Helpful undersea creatures offer support along the way, creating a gentle story about loneliness, school, and the first steps toward connecting with others.
You Can Make a Friend, Pout-Pout Fish! is written for children gaining confidence as readers, with clear language, familiar characters, and an emotional situation many young students understand. It is a warm choice for readers who enjoy friendship stories with a reassuring undersea twist.
6-8 Years
26 Pages
Something is wrong in Mr. Fish's ocean. There is a big mess where the water should be clean, and he and his friends want to understand where it came from and what they can do about it.
The Pout-Pout Fish Cleans Up the Ocean is a rhyming picture book that brings environmental responsibility into a familiar underwater world. Young readers can swim along as the characters look closely at the problem, ask questions, and realize that cleaning up takes cooperation. The story introduces ocean care in a simple, story-driven way, with enough playfulness to keep the message approachable. It is a strong choice for children interested in sea life, teamwork, and learning how actions can affect the natural world.
6-8 Years
19 Pages
Mr. Fish’s class is having one of those days. A pout here, a grumble there, and soon the bad mood is spreading through the room.
In this Level 1 beginning reader, Mr. Fish looks for a way to help his friends feel better. The answer begins with a simple act of kindness, making the story easy for young readers to understand and meaningful without feeling heavy.
You Can Be Kind, Pout-Pout Fish! combines short sentences, familiar undersea characters, and a school setting that fits children just starting to read on their own. It is a friendly choice for readers who enjoy stories about kindness, friendship, and turning a difficult day around.
6-8 Years
15 Pages
Before the sun is fully up, the birds are already busy making music. One bird sings from a branch, another answers from somewhere nearby, and soon the whole day seems filled with chirps, trills, solos, and soaring harmonies.
Sing Some More is a bright, lyrical picture book for young readers who notice the sounds of the natural world. As the birds move from perch to sky, their songs build into something bigger than any one voice alone. With a gentle rhythm and a cheerful celebration of birdsong, this story invites you to listen closely, join in with your own voice, and discover how music can lift a whole day.
6-8 Years
Mr. Fish has a simple way to show his friends he cares: one sweet kiss after another, delivered with the gentle, swishy charm of the Pout-Pout Fish world.
This very short Pout-Pout Fish story is made for young readers who enjoy bright underwater characters, repeating language, and warm feelings on every page. The text is brief and easy to follow, while Dan Hanna’s lively sea creatures help tell the story with humor and affection.
For children who like comforting picture books about friendship and love, Kiss, Kiss, Pout-Pout Fish offers a cheerful little visit with Mr. Fish and his undersea friends.
6-8 Years
14 Pages
Deep in the ocean, Ms. Clam has lost her pearl, and Mr. Fish is determined to help. He may be quick, clever, and strong, but there is one thing he does not want everyone to know: the deeper he swims, the darker it gets, and Mr. Fish is afraid.
The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark is a rhyming underwater adventure about friendship, courage, and facing a fear one small step at a time. Young readers can follow Mr. Fish into mysterious ocean places, meet helpful sea friends, and feel the suspense of searching where the light grows dim. Warm, reassuring, and playful, this picture book is especially appealing for children who know that being brave does not always mean feeling fearless.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Hippity-hoppity, Mr. Fish is bringing Easter cheer under the sea.
In this bright Pout-Pout Fish mini-adventure, young readers follow the beloved fish as he celebrates Easter with smiles, silliness, and friendly undersea fun. The story uses very short text and playful repetition, making it easy for newer readers or read-aloud listeners to enjoy.
Happy Easter, Pout-Pout Fish is a cheerful holiday picture book for children who like familiar characters, gentle humor, and stories that turn little pouts into happy moments. It is especially appealing as a quick seasonal read for home, classroom, or library sharing.
6-8 Years
14 Pages
George needs a break. His little brothers are everywhere, trailing after him, interrupting his games, and getting into his toys. Then George spots an empty washing machine box, and suddenly an ordinary cardboard box becomes the perfect place to escape.
The Nowhere Box is a witty picture book about imagination, frustration, and the push-and-pull of sibling life. Inside George's box, there is room for quiet, adventure, and a world that belongs only to him. Young readers who have ever wanted a little space of their own will understand George right away, while the story's playful energy keeps the mood light. This is a smart, funny choice for children learning that big feelings and family love can exist side by side.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Willa Whale is invited to a birthday party, but her worries keep swimming in circles. Will it be too loud? Will she know what to say? Will the crowd feel too big? Mr. Fish wants to help his friend, but worry is not something that simply disappears because someone says not to feel it.
The Pout-Pout Fish and the Worry-Worry Whale is a caring picture book about social anxiety, friendship, and learning to handle nervous feelings. With bouncy rhyme and familiar underwater characters, the story gives young readers a gentle way to talk about worries that can show up before parties, school events, or new situations. It is a reassuring read for children who sometimes need help taking one worry at a time.
6-8 Years
19 Pages
Valentine’s Day has arrived under the sea, and Mr. Fish is ready to celebrate with his friends.
This Pout-Pout Fish story brings the series’ familiar warmth to a holiday about sharing, friendship, and affection. The book’s bright 8x8 picture-book format and cheerful undersea cast make it inviting for young readers who enjoy seasonal stories with favorite characters.
Special Valentine is a sweet choice for children looking for a gentle Valentine’s Day read, especially fans of Mr. Fish and his expressive ocean friends. With its friendly tone and included punch-out cards, it connects the story’s holiday spirit to the fun of sharing kind messages with others.
6-8 Years
15 Pages
Deep in the water, Mr. Fish wears a pout wherever he goes. His friends notice his gloomy face and try to cheer him up, but Mr. Fish is not sure he can be anything other than dreary. After all, what can one fish do when a pout feels stuck?
The Pout-Pout Fish is a playful rhyming picture book about mood, friendship, and discovering that you may have more inside you than you first believed. Young readers will enjoy the repeating language, expressive sea creatures, and underwater humor as Mr. Fish swims through conversations with his pals. Warm, funny, and easy to read aloud, this modern picture-book favorite is a good fit for children who enjoy animal stories with rhythm, big expressions, and a gentle emotional turn.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
Izzie loves catching kisses from her mama. Some are smooch kisses, some zig-zag through the air, and some are so wonderfully silly they seem almost impossible to catch. But one day, Izzie leaps and reaches and still misses a kiss as it sails away.
Catch a Kiss is a tender, playful picture book about love, reassurance, and the big feelings that can come from one small moment. Young readers will recognize Izzie's worry as she watches the missed kiss disappear, and they will find comfort in the story's warm reminder of a parent's steady affection. With a lively premise and a gentle emotional center, this book is a sweet choice for bedtime, family read-alouds, and children who enjoy stories about closeness and care.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
Mr. Fish has a dentist appointment, and he is not feeling brave about it. He brushes his teeth, he is busy, and he wonders if a checkup is really so important.
This Pout-Pout Fish story gently follows a familiar childhood worry: going somewhere new and not knowing what will happen. With an undersea setting, expressive illustrations, and a reassuring tone, the book helps readers see a dental visit as part of taking care of a healthy smile.
Goes to the Dentist is a friendly picture-book choice for children who like Mr. Fish, school-and-health stories, and books about facing nervous feelings one small step at a time.
6-8 Years
15 Pages
