Classroom Read Aloud of the Month: Don’t Trust Fish

Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson and illustrated by Dan Santat is the perfect read-aloud for April, a month that celebrates fools on the first day. Don’t be a fool; don’t trust fish. The book is silly and goofy and has awesomely large illustrations for sharing with a group. Read this book during your next school visit for grades 2 through 5, yes, even grade 5. Trust me, they’ll laugh and love it. Use these discussion questions during your next school outreach event, classroom visit, book club, or book party for even more fun.

Setting the Stage

This witty children’s picture book has wide appeal for ages 4-12, but I daresay the older grades will get the most bang for their funny bone buck and be the most wooed by how surprisingly funny a picture book can be. The book is made for a performance, and storytellers will need to get their dramatic chops ready for outbursts, including the spread featuring “NO! THAT WAS A TEST! DON’T TRUST FISH! ESPECIALLY NOT THIS ONE!” If you aren’t standing while reading this book, that’s the point at which you need to burst from your chair to drive the point home.

Here is an intro blurb to set the stage for students before reading the book aloud:

“At the library, we have books about all kinds of things. You can learn about people, places, sports, animals and so much more. Raise your hand if you like animals or learning about animals? Great! So I’m guessing you know that of all the animals in the animal kingdom, fish are the ones that can’t be trusted. You’ve all heard that, right? Ok, well this book will lay out the reasons why…”

Don’t Trust Fish Discussion Questions

Here are some follow-up questions for further engagement:

1. What did you think? Thumbs up or thumbs down for Don’t Trust Fish?
2. What was the most surprising thing you learned about fish from this book?
3. What happened in this book that you do not think is true about fish?
4. Which animal do YOU not trust and why?
5. If you had to guess, where do you think the author is from? (Ireland, and this was his first picture book. He is not a crab.)

Take Home Activity Sheet

Providing an extension activity for students to enjoy after you leave OR to take home will cement your visit in their minds and increase the likelihood that caregivers become aware of the library.

For grades K-3, provide students with blank paper to illustrate their favorite scene from the story. On the back side of the sheet, include a note to parents and caregivers with the library’s contact info, read-alikes for the story you read, and a list of upcoming library events for their age group.

Don’t Trust Fish Read-Alikes

If your readers loved Don’t Trust Fish, they will also enjoy:

If you read Don’t Trust Fish and decide it’s not your cup of tea, that’s ok! Visit The Youth Desk’s Outreach page for more great classroom read-alouds and tips.

Did you try Don’t Trust Fish? How did it go??