The award-winning book about a beautiful fish who finds friendship and happiness when he learns to share is now available in a board book edition f...
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Dec 16, 2009
Laila
rated it: 
Ahem. Nice little book that teaches sharing, or subtle liberal socialist propaganda which teaches to give away all and anything special about yourself or what you have for the betterment of the whole?
You might think I'm being ridiculous, but I was a bit alarmed at this children's book when a professor in a teaching class read it to us aloud. Basically, Rainbow Fish is special because, unlike the other fish, he is special and has many colors of the rainbow on his fins. The other fish More...
You might think I'm being ridiculous, but I was a bit alarmed at this children's book when a professor in a teaching class read it to us aloud. Basically, Rainbow Fish is special because, unlike the other fish, he is special and has many colors of the rainbow on his fins. The other fish More...
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(15 people liked it)
Jul 06, 2008
Skylar
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My daughter has already asked me to read this several times since checking it out form the library. I like that the vocabulary is not as dumbed down as in most modern children's books. I have no idea whether or not the author is Christian, but this seemed to be loaded with Christian meaning. The message seems to be that, as Jesus taught, you have to lose yourself to find yourself, a little more complex than your typical "be nice and share" book. It is similar to the story of the rich m
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Apr 18, 2009
A chilling tale about a young fish who learns that no one will ever like him--until he gives up the thing that makes him unique and becomes just like everyone else.
Of a genre with The Giving Tree and the stalker classic Love You Forever.
Of a genre with The Giving Tree and the stalker classic Love You Forever.
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(7 people liked it)
Mar 17, 2008
babyhippoface
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I'm all into sharing and stuff, but this little guy was basically told that he had to give away everything that made him special just so other fish wouldn't be jealous and mean. Is this fair? Heck no!
Reminds me of one of my favorite lines from The Incredibles, when Dash says something along the lines of, "If everybody's special, then NOBODY is."
Reminds me of one of my favorite lines from The Incredibles, when Dash says something along the lines of, "If everybody's special, then NOBODY is."
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(10 people liked it)
May 17, 2008
Rebecca
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I also thought the message in this book was not good for children. We have to give things to people so they will like us? What? Sure, this book is trying to teach about friendship and giving of oneself, but where in the book do the other fish stop being selfish and jealous? Those are not qualities that should be rewarded, and the poor rainbow fish has to give away all of his lovely scales to jealous, hateful fish. Just awful. I think it would be a lot different if the other fish were in "
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(5 people liked it)
Jul 30, 2008
Neligh
rated it:
Now, the Rainbow Fish had scales that were shiny.
something something and act like a hiney.
the plain fishes gave up asking him to play,
something rude something, he swam away.
Later a plain fish requested a scale
"absolutely not," he sputtered, turning pale.
"they're mine. they're me. they're attached to my body."
Screamed the plain fish, "well I think they're gaudy!!"
much later, lonely and wanting some fun
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something something and act like a hiney.
the plain fishes gave up asking him to play,
something rude something, he swam away.
Later a plain fish requested a scale
"absolutely not," he sputtered, turning pale.
"they're mine. they're me. they're attached to my body."
Screamed the plain fish, "well I think they're gaudy!!"
much later, lonely and wanting some fun
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(2 people liked it)
Apr 29, 2008
Leigh
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I'm fairly hard pressed to truly dislike a children's book, but the message of this story is awful. This beautiful and unique fish meets some horribly jealous fish who won't befriend him. In order to be accepted, the rainbow fish must give up all of his scales to bribe the other fish to be his friends. What kind of message does this send to a child? I could see a child, having experienced unkind treatment, deciding to give away all her favorite toys trying to become popular on the playgroun
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Jul 11, 2008
Elizabeth
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I personally love this book, despite the fact that other people are so outraged by it. I find it kind of funny that people seem to be reaching for meanings, maybe as a means to back up their own personal feelings about things. Anyways....
The Rainbow Fish is very vain and thinks he's better than the other fish because he is so beautiful. He learns that being the most beautiful fish is not what is really important. I won't spoil it, but I think it's a great book and teaches valuabl More...
The Rainbow Fish is very vain and thinks he's better than the other fish because he is so beautiful. He learns that being the most beautiful fish is not what is really important. I won't spoil it, but I think it's a great book and teaches valuabl More...
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(3 people liked it)
Feb 20, 2012
Jessica-Robyn
rated it: 
So, it has been a LONG time since I last read Rainbow Fish but I still have a general idea of why I liked it.
Being little was so much fun! When I read books it really wasn't about the story or the artwork, it was about what kind of noises the book would make, how colourful it was, and how much candy I could get by memorizing the words and pretending I could actually read it as my grandparents huddled around me in utter fascination at my genius. Which let's be honest, was seriously g More...
Being little was so much fun! When I read books it really wasn't about the story or the artwork, it was about what kind of noises the book would make, how colourful it was, and how much candy I could get by memorizing the words and pretending I could actually read it as my grandparents huddled around me in utter fascination at my genius. Which let's be honest, was seriously g More...
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(1 person liked it)
Oct 16, 2011
Zainab
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I remember reading this book as a child and being fascinated by the rainbow fish and his sparkly scales. The image of Rainbow fish has remained with me since. After re-reading this book it reminded me of why I particularly enjoyed reading this book as a child.
This book is about Rainbow fish. Rainbow Fish is distinctively beautiful because of his shiny and shimmering scales. All the other fishes are jealous of his scales and want pretty scales too! When asked to share his scales, Rainbow f More...
This book is about Rainbow fish. Rainbow Fish is distinctively beautiful because of his shiny and shimmering scales. All the other fishes are jealous of his scales and want pretty scales too! When asked to share his scales, Rainbow f More...
Oct 06, 2011
Katie
rated it:
This is the story of a fish called a Rainbow Fish who had sparkly scales.
The Rainbow Fish swam around the ocean by himself until he was followed by a Blue Fish who asked the Rainbow Fish if he could have one of his shiny scales but the Rainbow Fish ignores him! The Rainbow Fish then wondered why he had no friends and was told by the Starfish to go to the Octopus and find out why that might be.
The Octopus encouraged the rainbow fish to share his sparkly scales even if it More...
The Rainbow Fish swam around the ocean by himself until he was followed by a Blue Fish who asked the Rainbow Fish if he could have one of his shiny scales but the Rainbow Fish ignores him! The Rainbow Fish then wondered why he had no friends and was told by the Starfish to go to the Octopus and find out why that might be.
The Octopus encouraged the rainbow fish to share his sparkly scales even if it More...
Oct 06, 2011
Elishia
rated it:
The Rainbow Fish
This is an enchanting tale of the most beautiful fish in the ocean, the Rainbow Fish. Rainbow Fish had beautiful scales and all the other fish were in awe of her beauty. However when asked one day to share just one of her scales, Rainbow Fish refused to and all the other fish began to shun her.
Rainbow fish sought advice from the wise octopus and decided to be kind and share a beautiful scale as asked. Soon, she had shared all her scales out and only had one rema More...
This is an enchanting tale of the most beautiful fish in the ocean, the Rainbow Fish. Rainbow Fish had beautiful scales and all the other fish were in awe of her beauty. However when asked one day to share just one of her scales, Rainbow Fish refused to and all the other fish began to shun her.
Rainbow fish sought advice from the wise octopus and decided to be kind and share a beautiful scale as asked. Soon, she had shared all her scales out and only had one rema More...
Oct 05, 2011
Leanne
rated it:
The Rainbow Fish is an award winning children’s book written and illustrated by Marcus Pfister.
A beautiful, sparkling fish is approached by a small blue fish, who admires his scales and asks if he can have one. When the beautiful fish refuses, the small fish is horrified, and tells all the other sea creatures about how horrible the beautiful fish is. The beautiful fish becomes isolated and lonely, and seeks advice from a crab, who directs him to a wise octopus. The octopus indicates More...
A beautiful, sparkling fish is approached by a small blue fish, who admires his scales and asks if he can have one. When the beautiful fish refuses, the small fish is horrified, and tells all the other sea creatures about how horrible the beautiful fish is. The beautiful fish becomes isolated and lonely, and seeks advice from a crab, who directs him to a wise octopus. The octopus indicates More...
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(1 person liked it)
Oct 04, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it:
After reading this book now that I am older I realized that the main message that it is trying to send out is that sharing is a good thing and no one should be selfish.
Even though Rainbow Fish did not think that sharing his scales was a good idea because it made him beautiful, in the end when he did it made him a happier fish because other people around him were happy too. I think it shows that even if you might be happy, when you start sharing and making other people happy, you as a More...
Even though Rainbow Fish did not think that sharing his scales was a good idea because it made him beautiful, in the end when he did it made him a happier fish because other people around him were happy too. I think it shows that even if you might be happy, when you start sharing and making other people happy, you as a More...
Sep 24, 2011
Ezekiel
rated it:
The Rainbow Fish is the story of a proud fish who is prettiest in the sea, but who is lonely because the other fish feel that ze is stuck up (hint: ze is). It's a very pretty book, with shimmering on every page, and a clear moral, that sharing who you are with people and not begrudging your talents will lead to a happier life.
However I'm not certain if this is the best way to teach that lesson, nor the best lesson to teach anyway. There are many overlapping groups of children: chil More...
However I'm not certain if this is the best way to teach that lesson, nor the best lesson to teach anyway. There are many overlapping groups of children: chil More...
Sep 06, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
As a child, The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister was one of my favorite books. What captured me the most about this story were the beautiful colors and creativity the author had in his pictures. I would play with the shimmery scales and would pretend that the Rainbow fish would give one to me! The colors are very cool and pretty but what really gets children's attention are the shiny scales.
This book also has a very powerful message about sharing and not being prideful. In the story, the More...
This book also has a very powerful message about sharing and not being prideful. In the story, the More...
Sep 05, 2010
Kat
rated it:
I'm always on the look-out for new, well-written children's books for my son. We had been reading him: Help! Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed! and Why Mommy is a Democrat.
He loved the story and drawings!
However, he didn't seem to take to them as much as I thought he would...so I decided to find something else as informative, well-balanced and fun to read with my child.
Then I came across The Rainbow Fish by Macrus Pfi More...
He loved the story and drawings!
However, he didn't seem to take to them as much as I thought he would...so I decided to find something else as informative, well-balanced and fun to read with my child.
Then I came across The Rainbow Fish by Macrus Pfi More...
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Feb 17, 2010
Baylee
rated it: 
The sparkling scales of the Rainbow Fish create an attractive, eye-catching cover on this book by Marcus Pfister. As an elementary student, I remember checking this book out from the library multiple times for the sole purpose of looking at the unique illustrations and sparkling scales on the Rainbow Fish. In addition to the intriguing scales on Rainbow Fish, the format of the book is simple and uncomplicated which makes for easy reading for young readers. The clean, uncomplicated typeface, well
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Jan 14, 2010
Sharon
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The Rainbow Fish is a book about the most beautiful fish in the sea who all the other fishes and animals of the sea are envious of. The reason behind their envy is due to the fact that the rainbow fish has the most gorgeous scales in every color. However, the rainbow fish is lonely in the story and thus has no friends. The rainbow fish is asked to give away one of his scales but the rainbow fish couldn't possibly bear the thought of giving away one of his scales. As a result of his greed and va
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Jan 08, 2012
Michaela
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The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister is a story about a beautiful fish that has a body full of stunning scales but no other fish friends. This is all changes when rainbow fish realises that by sharing out his scales to the other fish they can all look beautiful together and be happy. The story teaches children the important lesson of sharing. The book has some beautiful illustrations where the scales on the fish appear iridescent and sparkle in the light. The story was one I read to children w
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(1 person liked it)
May 16, 2010
Jackie
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The Rainbow Fish, written by Marcus Pfister, is the story about Rainbow Fish, a fish with rainbow scales who is the most beautiful fish in the ocean. All the other fish would ask Rainbow Fish for one of his beautiful scales, but he never wanted to share. While swimming through the ocean Rainbow Fish comes across the octopus who insisted that Rainbow Fish share his scales. Rainbow Fish was trying to explain that he would not be happy without his scales. On his way back from Octopus gave Rainbow F
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Dec 16, 2011
Josiah
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As a book about sharing, I see some definite value to The Rainbow Fish. Though the development of true friendship can't be about giving away one's possessions, an overly selfish or materialistic person will tend to repel rather than attract others, while generosity is the magnet that most often and most successfully attracts potential friends. By being generous with his most important possession, his luminous scales, Rainbow Fish realizes that it's much easier to get along with others when on
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Jun 09, 2008
Kimberly
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This is a really cute book, there is also Rainbow Fish and the big blue whale. It is about a fish that is different than all of the other fish, he has beautiful scales and when he does not want to share them, the other fish stop talking/playing with him. He then shares his beautiful scales and gains the friendship of many fish.
It is good for teaching the importance of sharing, kindness and also uniqueness. The story just has a good moral to it.
It is good for teaching the importance of sharing, kindness and also uniqueness. The story just has a good moral to it.
Feb 08, 2009
Kasi
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This is my favorite children's book. I had to do 10 book critques for school and this was one of them.
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Oct 05, 2011
Lauren
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In this book you have the beautiful rainbow fish who has all of the shining scales, when the other little fish ask him to share all the rainbow fish did is laugh at the other fish. Even though he refused to share he didn't understand why he didn't have any friends. After talking to many different sea creatures the rainbow fish realized that if he shared he would have many more friends.
This book has a great moral to it, it will help children to realize that if they share with each othe More...
This book has a great moral to it, it will help children to realize that if they share with each othe More...
Feb 08, 2012
Holly
rated it:
The Rainbow Fish was one of my favorite books as a child. I loved the illustrations and bright, shiny scales on Rainbow Fish. Rainbow Fish was the only fish in the ocean that had shiny scales. Everyone admired him, until he was very mean to another fish. Then all the other fish in the ocean stopped talking to Rainbow Fish. Rainbow Fish became very sad. He went to the starfish to ask for help. The starfish directed him to the wise octopus. The octopus gave Rainbow Fish the advice of giving one
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Apr 20, 2008
Sarah
rated it: 
A lot of people rave over this one. Yes, it is true that the sparkily illustrations are eye-catching. However, the storyline is so common it has become rather trite. We get it okay? There's more to beauty than what's on the outside. Blah, blah, blah. Yet the irony is that the reason this book is so popular is precisely because of its beautiful illustrations.
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Jan 30, 2011
Isela
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Theme: Sharing
The story is about a fish called "Rainbow Fish." The fish was covered in scales that shimmer. Another smaller fish asked Rainbow Fish for one shimmering scales but Rainbow Fish could not part with it. As a result of being unwilling to share Rainbow Fish became very lonely. In the end, Rainbow Fish shared the shimmering scales to the other fishes and found out that although all the scales were gone she had made some very good friends.
Students will enjoy More...
The story is about a fish called "Rainbow Fish." The fish was covered in scales that shimmer. Another smaller fish asked Rainbow Fish for one shimmering scales but Rainbow Fish could not part with it. As a result of being unwilling to share Rainbow Fish became very lonely. In the end, Rainbow Fish shared the shimmering scales to the other fishes and found out that although all the scales were gone she had made some very good friends.
Students will enjoy More...
Apr 13, 2010
The Rainbow Fish is one of my all time favorite picture books! As many I’m sure agree, is they enjoy the metallic and sparkling fish scales. The illustrations are mainly watercolor along with colored pencil. The pages are larger which makes it easy for the black text to be recognized. Throughout the book, other fish follow Rainbow Fish. Those fish have only a few colors to make up their scales, no colors that hold a glamorous look like Rainbow Fish! The fish swim in the blue ocean with gre
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