The Rainbow Fish

Title: The Rainbow Fish

Author: Marcus Pfister

Publisher: North-South Books

Date: 1999

Number of pages: 32 Pages

Reading level: Ages 4 - 8

Genre: Children's picture book

Summary:  A beautiful, conceited fish lives in the deep part of the ocean. His scales sparkle and shine as he swims through the ocean - alone. The other fish attempt to befriend him, but he ignores them until one day when a small blue fish approaches him. The small blue fish tells the Rainbow Fish how beautiful his scales are, and asks for one of them. Horrified, the Rainbow Fish refuses and swims on, puzzling aloud over his loneliness. A crab directs him to an octopus, whose advice is simple: give away his scales to the other fish and he will be happy. After some thought, and a second request from the small blue fish, the Rainbow Fish takes the octopus's advice and finds friendship and happiness with the other fish.

My reaction: This is one of my favorite books, I love love love Rainbow fish. I think it teaches valuable lessons to children about selflessness and also about friendship. I grew up reading this story at bedtime with my mom, and she always taught (through rainbow fish) that just because others aren't as fortunate as I am, it is my duty to be kind, and help when possible. I love the pictures an the holographic scales on Rainbow fish. It keeps children interested in the story.

Potential problems: There is no possibility whatsoever that there is a problem with this book. It is artistically designed and flawlessly written and illustrated.

My recommendation: Like I said, in my home, my mother used The Rainbow Fish as a teaching took and bedtime story. I hope to use this book in the same manner growing up, also it would be good for reading time for young children, around kindergarten-2nd grade. It teaches them that friendship can be achieved, even with individuals who are different.