November 1st marks the beginning of National Picture Book Month. Learn more here.

The idea is to explore and read all the wonderful picture books you have been wanting to read. For schools, it is a great opportunity to work with families to reach reading goals in a fun and positive way that encourages families to read together. Another plus is because so many people are joining in the celebration you will be able to gain exposure to books you might have missed. Authors and illustrators are posting daily essays explaining why reading picture books are so important. Teachers and librarians are thrilled at all the perks of being able to download incredible resources to support the reading of picture books. There are few things in this world that are more comforting than building memories by reading a good picture book with the ones you love.

Print out the Picture Book Month calendar and follow the daily theme. 

Day 1 theme: Oceans

Read "Why Picture Books are Important" by Chris Raschka

My favorite ocean book is The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen. 

Visit Deborah's author website
Illustrated by: Dan Hanna visit his website for pictures and adorable videos at Bluebelly Lizard
 Published by:
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (FSG)

Why I love the The Pout Pout Fish

It is an easy flowing rhyming book about with a great lesson to be learned-turn your frown upside down. PPF also fits in nicely with ocean related learning objectives.

This book is so loved by children and they naturally want to join in his chants of "I'm a Pout Pout fish" and you know it is a terrific book when children go home and teach it to their parents. Such joy is felt when a parent calls to find out about the Pout Pout Fish because their kid keeps quoting him.I highly recommend The Pout Pout Fish for your next undersea adventure.

Pout Pout Fish Curriculum Connections and fun activities


Make a Jelly Fish with a paper bowl, streamers, gogglie eyes, and paint.