Buttfish

K-Gr 3–Translated from the French Poisson-Fesse, this offbeat picture book centers on a fish whose body resembles a butt. Mocked by other fish for his appearance, Buttfish discovers that making farting noises with his mouth amuses them enough to stop the teasing. Seeking a fresh start, he leaves to explore deeper parts of the ocean, where he encounters an array of unusual-looking sea creatures, including a fish that resembles cheese. Initially repulsed, Buttfish grows to appreciate the cheese fish’s uniqueness, eventually finding him handsome once friendship takes root. When the pair are caught in a fisherman’s net, they are tossed back into the sea because the fisherman assumes they will taste bad. The friends warn other fish away from ­fishing boats. In the closing pages, ­another fish ­remarks that Buttfish looks like a heart—an observation that finally brings him happiness. Le Huche uses simple acrylic ­illustrations to convey the ocean setting and the characters’ emotions with cartoonlike brightness. While the book hints at multiple themes—self-acceptance, kindness, friendship, and even survival—it never fully develops any of them. The resulting message is muddled: is the story about embracing differences, refraining from teasing, or the accidental benefits of being undesirable?