The Rainbow Fish (Rainbow Fish)

by Marcus Pfister (Author) Marcus Pfister (Illustrator)

The Rainbow Fish (Rainbow Fish)
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Series: Rainbow Fish
Rainbow-colored foil stamping is used throughout this unique book to enhance the story's gentle message: the best possessions are the ones that are shared. "A delightful tale."--"Parade." Full color.
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Publishers Weekly

Despite some jazzy special effects achieved with shimmery holographs, this cautionary tale about selfishness and vanity has trouble staying afloat. Rainbow Fish, "the most beautiful fish in the entire ocean," refuses to share his prized iridescent scales--which, indeed, flash and sparkle like prisms as each page is turned. When his greed leaves him without friends or admirers, the lonely fish seeks advice from the wise octopus, who counsels him to give away his beauty and "discover how to be happy." The translation from the original German text doesn't enhance the story's predictable plot, and lapses into somewhat vague descriptions: after sharing a single scale, "a rather peculiar feeling came over Rainbow Fish." Deep purples, blues and greens bleed together in Pfister's liquid watercolors; unfortunately, the watery effect is abruptly interrupted by a few stark white, text-only pages. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-- Children will be immediately drawn to this book that features an iridescent, metallic-looking main character whose "scales were every shade of blue and green and purple, with sparkling silver scales among them." Adult suspicions of the gimmick overwhelming the story quickly fade as the plot unfolds: none of the other fish will have anything to do with the Rainbow Fish, who always swims by superciliously and refuses to give away any of his special garb. He is lonely and without admirers until a wise female octopus advises him to give away his scales. Rainbow Fish then discovers that sharing brings happiness and acceptance. The delicate watercolors of underwater scenes are a perfect foil to the glittering scales that eventually form a part of each fish's exterior. This is certainly a story written to convey a message, but in its simplicity, it recalls the best of Lionni. Besides, what three-year-old doesn't need reinforcement about sharing? --Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, CT

Review quotes

"A delightful tale." Parade"
Marcus Pfister
Marcus Pfister is an award-winning Swiss author and illustrator of children's picture books. He is author of numerous books, including The Little Moon Raven and the Rainbow Fish series of children's picture books, which have been translated into more than 80 languages and were turned into an animated television series.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781558585362
Lexile Measure
610
Guided Reading Level
M
Publisher
Northsouth Books
Publication date
January 27, 1999
Series
Rainbow Fish
BISAC categories
JUV002100 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Fishes
JUV039220 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Values & Virtues
Library of Congress categories
Fishes
Friendship
Beauty, Personal
Book Sense Book of the Year Award
Winner 1995 - 1995
North Carolina Children's Book Award
Winner 1995 - 1995
Florida Children's Book Award
Winner 1995 - 1995

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