Pfister, M. (1999). The Rainbow Fish. New York : North-South Books.Summary
Rainbow Fish is prettier than the other fish in the ocean and has trouble finding friends because he refuses to share his abundance of beauty. But Rainbow Fish becomes lonely as those around him shun him. On the advice of a wise octopus, Rainbow Fish shares his glittery scales with others and is then accepted by his peers.
My Impressions
I wanted to like this book because I've always seen it bandied about by parents as the "best book ever." But wow, what a disturbing storyline with a clobber you over the head morality lesson. Some have compared this book to a communist manifesto of sharing what you have so others will accept you. For me, I wouldn't read this book to a child because the storyline is so problematic. While sharing is a good concept, this story seems to be arguing that being different makes you arrogant and the only way to lose that arrogance and become accepted is to give up your unique attributes. I'm a fan of sharing but this story is didactic, awkward and more moral lecture than real story.
Professional Reviews
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. -- Publishers Weekly (Retrieved from http://catalog.lapl.org/carlweb/)
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? --School Library Journal, Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, CT, 2010. (Retrieved from http://catalog.lapl.org/carlweb/)
Proud of his shimmering silver scales, Rainbow Fish disdains the plainer fish who asks him to share his treasures. When word of his refusal gets around, Rainbow Fish finds that the other fish swim away at his approach. A wise old octopus advises him to share his scales. When he does, Rainbow Fish finds that the more he gives to others, the happier he feels. The plot is rather predictable, but the artwork certainly catches the eye. Incorporated into the fluid, watercolor paintings, iridescent foil catches every light and radiates colored sparkles that would be the envy of any fish and will fascinate preschoolers. A gimmick? Well, yes, but in context it works. A popular choice for picture book displays. -- Booklist, Carolyn Phelan, January 1, 1993. (Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=939932)
Suggested Use in Library
This book is a good beginning picture book with interesting illustrations that children may be attracted to. I think it's a good book for adults to look through but ultimately, if they read the storyline, they may be dismayed. Rainbow Fish, the main character, may be used as a cautionary tale by more conservative parents but overall, this is a visually pretty book that is short on substance. I would keep it in the library collection because it is popular and many parents may ask for it, but I wouldn't necessarily use it much.
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SLIS 5420/Module 1
Introduction to Children's Literature
August 26-29, 2010
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