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Grumpy Guppy

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Grumpy Guppy is having a rough day in the Emotions Aquarium—and he’s not afraid to show it!
He frowns. He huffs. He even gives a pouty puff! No matter what he tries, that grumpy feeling just won’t go away. But when Peaceful Pufferfish swims by with a few calming tricks, Grumpy Guppy learns that it’s okay to feel big emotions—and there are ways to feel better, too.

Perfect for ages 3–8, this playful rhyming story gently introduces big emotions through colorful characters and relatable underwater adventures.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or counselor, Grumpy Guppy is a helpful resource to teach kids how to recognize their emotions, manage their moods, and practice calming strategies in a fun and engaging way.

With vibrant illustrations, simple techniques, and a heartwarming message, this story is a splashy way to help little ones (and not-so-little ones) build their emotional toolkit.

Kindle Edition

Published March 6, 2025

104 people are currently reading
15 people want to read

About the author

Diane Alber

274 books197 followers

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5 stars
93 (77%)
4 stars
17 (14%)
3 stars
8 (6%)
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2 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Wendy.
14 reviews
March 18, 2025
Grumpy Guppy Book 2

First let me just say my class loves the vibrant colors, the illustrator always knows the right colors and whether they need to jump off the page or not. My class loved practicing these breathing techniques from Puffer fish, some of the staff watched them out at recess practicing.
I still have kids from last year stopping by my class to see if I’ve purchased another book so that they can come and listen.
Your books are needed and so Thank you for what you do through your books.
Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,823 followers
April 25, 2025
‘He knows how to breathe the Peaceful Pufferfish way’ – Dealing with emotions

Author Diane Alber earned her degree in Fine Arts from Arizona State University and writes and illustrates inspiring books for children. In her popular Emotions Aquarium series, she introduces concepts about dealing with emotions in such a colorful and credible way, with delightful underwater creatures – such as Grumpy Guppy whose grumpiness is changed by Peaceful Pufferfish’s breathing exercise advice. Children (and reading adults…) can easily adopt the concepts. Another winner from Diane Alber!
4 reviews
March 11, 2025
Great Feelings Book

The second book in the Emotions Aquarium series, is another great resource from Diane Alber. As a 1st grade teacher I use her Spot series in my classroom and my students have done well learning the strategies and tools provided in her books. I am so thankful for this series to continue to provide opportunities to teach emotions and strategies in a new way, while still allowing students to make connections to what we have previously learned from the spots.
Profile Image for Annie Flanders.
294 reviews4 followers
April 13, 2025
This book was so adorable. The author not only wrote this sweet book but also did all the illustrations.

The story is about a guppy who is grumpy a lot. He doesn't really want to be grumpy but that is what he is.

Then one day a beautiful pufferfish - Peaceful pufferfish- swims by to say hello and teaches Guppy how not to be angry. I found myself doing the breathing exercises along with the guppy.
22 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2025
New books does not disappoint

I really love her books, and this one is no different. It's simple, cute, and easy to read with a fun rhyming flow. Its so important to help kids manage their emotions. Can't have too many books teaching this. Breath work is great and a perfect way to help Grumpy Guopy and your grumpy little one. :)
1 review
March 20, 2025
Good read for teaching self regulation

My 4 year old old says this book is “good!” I love the rhyming, the pictures & how simple it makes deep breathing for kids. Of course I appreciate this being a therapist myself, but I also appreciate this as a mother who is trying to teach her son how to handle big emotions. Good read!
Profile Image for Mandie Nelson.
1 review
March 18, 2025
Therapist approved!

I love this series of books. I use them quite often with the children I treat. As a trauma informed child therapist, I'm always looking for tools to engage kiddos in learning about emotions and coping skills.
26 reviews
March 18, 2025
Cute book, something I can see myself using in my classroom. I liked that another character was brought in to interact with the Grumpy Guppy & helped them work through their issues. I love when kids books have teamwork themes.
1 review
March 19, 2025
A great way to teach kids to breathe!

As a children’s book author on emotional regulation myself, I love the simplistic style and colorful illustrations Diane uses! Any books that can help our kids to regulate their emotions successfully is 5 stars in my book!!
Profile Image for Sarah Nave.
2 reviews
March 21, 2025
Great technique for grumpiness

What a cute little mindfulness book!! My students will love the Peaceful Pufferfish way. Just a cute little book that is very detailed and easy to follow! Love it.
Profile Image for Phyre Deming.
14 reviews
April 15, 2025
I’m so excited to read this to the KIDz room I run. Anger is a strange feeling sometimes and it’s great to work through the feeling to find your calm spot. Turning the spots into animals that are also easy to connect with is such a wonderful idea!
Profile Image for Janet.
164 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2025
Fun new Amber book

Grumpy Guppy is a great way to introduce (or remind) kids the importance of deep breathing as a technique to calm down & get out the grumps. I enjoyed the colors used for each character (red for Grumpy Guppy and green for Peaceful Pufferfish).
Profile Image for Tara Librandi.
1 review2 followers
March 20, 2025
So Great!

We love the little spots so we were excited to read this. So cute and helpful, rhyming is ALWAYS fun.
9 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2025
great book

Great book to discuss feelings and how to deal with frustration. My 4 year olds agreed this was a good book.
1 review1 follower
May 16, 2025
breath

So cute and appropriate for all kids :)
My daughter is too young for now but we will read it over and over so she can learn to breath when upset
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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