Bibliographic Citation: Pfister, Marcus. The Rainbow Fish. New York: NorthSouth Books,1994.
Plot Summary:
Rainbow Fish is the most beautiful fish in the sea because of her glistening scales. Green Fish and Blue Fish want her to share some of her beautiful scales with them, but Rainbow Fish just can't seem to part from her scales. When she refuses, her friends decide to stop talking to her. Rainbow Fish feels a bit sad because her friends won't speak to her, so she seeks the advice from the wise octopus. Octopus advices for her to share her scales and she will find happiness, thinking she has just received bad advice, Rainbow Fish heads home. Then she sees her friends, happily playing with one another, and Rainbow Fish realizes that her beauty is wonderful, but doesn't seem too great when she is unhappy. Rainbow Fish shares her scales and she saves her friendship with the rest of the fish.
My Impressions of the Book:
This is a great book to read with children. I loved the lesson learned at the end of the story and I enjoyed reading this book. I think this is one of those books that reminds you that life is about friends and family, and without them, it really doesn't matter what you have, because you won't have happiness. Aside from the plot line, I also liked the illustrations in the book, the fish scales on the Rainbow fish are truly beautiful.
Review(s) About the Book & My Thoughts:
Barnes & Nobles Editorial Reviews
BookList
This board book presents a bare-bones version of the original picture book story: the vain, lonely Rainbow Fish relinquishes his pride and gives away almost all his special, shiny scales to gain friends. About half the original watercolor paintings appear here, reduced in size and cropped to fit the more compact format. Children too young to sit through the original story will enjoy this version, complete with those irresistible, iridescent fish scales.http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Rainbow-Fish/Marcus-Pfister-Herbert/e/9781558580091/?itm=2&USRI=the+rainbow+fish
Barnes & Nobles Editorial Reviews
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
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Rainbow-Fish/Marcus-Pfister-Herbert/e/9781558580091/?itm=2&USRI=the+rainbow+fish
Use in Library Setting:
I would use this book during a storytime with young children and I would use a hand puppet of the Rainbow fish to tell the story. In reading this story, I would ensure that kids learn the lesson learned through the Rainbow fish.
