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Deborah Diesen’s beloved children’s book, “The Pout-Pout Fish,” is set to enchant audiences anew as it transitions from the page to the stage in a theatrical adaptation. This transformation brings a new dimension to the classic tale cherished by many as a bedtime staple.
Famous for its catchy refrain of “glub, glub, glub,” the story has captured the hearts of young readers across its 30 pages. Now, it will come to life on the big screen, featuring the talents of singer and actress Jordin Sparks, who lends her voice to one of the film’s prominent characters.
Sparks, reflecting on her journey in an interview with Parents, expresses, “The world has known me since I was 17 years old, and there have always been preconceived notions about who I am. People saw this shiny, new persona, but there was so much more depth to me. I’m still on a journey to discover my path.” This personal exploration is echoed in her role as Shimmer, a character she describes with enthusiasm.
In the adaptation, Sparks takes on the role of Shimmer, a mythical fish who is known for granting wishes but grapples with the weight of her own expectations and the perceptions of others. “What excited me the most was being part of a story that reflects our universal experiences of self-doubt and the desire for people to see the real us, beyond the surface,” Sparks elaborates.
Through her portrayal of Shimmer, Sparks aims to connect with audiences, offering a message of encouragement and authenticity, much like her own journey in the spotlight.
“I think that’s what I was most excited to be a part of,” she tells Parents. “The fact that all of us kind of go through those self-doubts or wishing people actually knew me for me, not for what they see on the cover.”
She also pointed to a moment in the film where the character allows herself to be vulnerable. “She admits, ‘Hey, I need help sometimes too,’” she says. “I thought it was so beautiful.”
The film was adapted by screenwriter Elise Allen, who previously worked on Netflix’s Princess Power. She also spoke with Parents about expanding the story for the screen.
“There was a mystery inherent in it,” Elise explains to Parents. “Why is he a Pout-Pout Fish? It wasn’t enough for me that he was just born looking like that. No, there had to be a story behind it.”
She continues, “To expand it into a whole world… there’s a lot of world-building you have to do, which I love. I have deep respect for authors. For me, getting the opportunity to take someone’s story and expand it and enhance it, but always keep the core of what makes the book so good, that’s a process that I love.”
The Pout-Pout Fish* is now playing in theaters nationwide.