As the Pout Pout Fish swims through the ocean with his big pout in our featured story today all of the other animals offer advice on how to cheer up. This is a wonderful example of friendship and empathy for preschoolers who often have ideas about what might cheer up their friends.
This story time explores the opposites of happy and sad. It also develops early writing skills while discussing how to be an empathetic friend.
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Happy & Sad Ocean Story Time
Today’s story time focuses on ocean animals and learning about opposites – in particular happy and sad. Let’s start with the books…
Great Read Alouds
The Pout-Pout Fish
Written by Deborah Diesen
Pictures by Dan Hanna
Playful rhymes. Repetitive text. A comically drawn main character. And a book that talks about turning that frown upside down. Really what more could you want in a read aloud? I can’t even look at the cover without smiling.
This is Not My Hat
by Jon Klassen
I think this book is pure genius. It is suspenseful and funny and so well illustrated. It is the first in a series of 3 books and still my favorite. For today’s purposes take the time as you read to pause and discuss with your listeners how the two main characters are feeling at different points in the book. For example, when the big fish discovers his hat missing you could ask “How do you think the big fish feels right now?” and maybe follow that up with “What do you think would make him feel better?”
The Rainbow Fish
by Marcus Pfister
It is a wonderful story about a beautiful, shiny fish who doesn’t like to share. He does however want friends. One day he shares just a single rainbow fin and with another fish and discovers the wonderful joy that comes from giving to others. Flowing, watery illustrations and developmentally appropriate concepts, it isn’t hard to see why this book has become a classic.
More Great Ocean Books:
30+ Ocean Picture Books for Preschoolers
Unforgettable Picture Books about Whales
Songs about Happy and Sad & the Ocean
- If You’re Happy and You Know It – watch on YouTube
- The Friendship Song – watch on YouTube
Pout Pout Fish Inspired Writing Activity
In the story The Pout Pout Fish, the main character is described as quite glum until another fish surprises him with a kiss. It is a sweet story that brings up different ways that might cheer someone up.
Preschoolers and Kindergartners who are eager to be friendly often have creative ideas for what might cheer up their friends. This early writing activity is meant to extend the conversations you had during story time while working on communicating ideas through pictures and writing.
Download Printable
Materials
- Printable Writing Prompt for Each Child
- Writing and Drawing Tools
Set Up
Set up a work space for each child with a printable writing prompt. Then in the middle of the small group table place various writing and drawing tools in a basket to promote sharing and conversation. I also like to place a copy of the book we’re reading either on each table or in sight of where the kids are working.
Activity
While reading aloud the stories above as a group stop at various points to talk about how the characters and feeling. Also ask several times throughout story time what the kids think would make the characters feel better when they are sad. If your kids are interested in writing, you may even want to write down these ideas for your early writers to refer back to later.
Read the prompt at the top of the page aloud. Then either have the printable on your art or writing table during free time or move right to the table after you read the book.
Encourage the kids to share what makes them feel happy or smile when they are sad with drawings or words. I also like to encourage conversation at our table while we write and draw. A simple phrase like “Tell me about your picture” can get a kid talking and often lead to conversation.
If your preschooler or kindergartner chooses to draw, as they to tell you about their picture and ask if you can write down what they say either on the paper or on an index card to post next to it.
Download Printable
More Ocean Animal Activities
As part of the Virtual Book Club for Kids, my co-hosts and I share activity ideas for preschoolers to help extend beloved books. While reading aloud is absolutely enough, kids often enjoy crafts and learning activities based on their favorite books. Below are some ideas if you want to extend some of your favorite ocean read alouds.
- Pout Pout Fish Printable Activity Pack
- Rainbow Fish Lesson about Sharing from My Storytime Corner
- Beach Mystery Bag sensory activity from My Storytime Corner
- Preschool Ocean Animals Unit from Bambini Travel
- 20+ Ocean Unit Ideas for Preschool and Kindergarten from Bambini Travel
- Sea Shell Sensory Bin from Mama Smiles
- Children’s Book Inspired Ocean Slime Play from My Storytime Corner
- Octopus Science Experiment by Preschool Powol Packets
