Rating: 
Summary: I wish I still liked it!
Review: Rainbow Fish has been widely criticized for having a bad message. Well, I don't think the librarian an my school knew this because she read it frequently. I remember this book fondly and even have a framed pic of Rainbow Fish on my wall. But now that I reread it, I totally agree. This book shouldn't be read to young, impressionable children(K-2). Rainbow Fish gave all but one of his shiny scales to the other fish. Think about it parents. What if your child did that with his/her lunch money? Or lunch, for that matter?
I really like the illustrations and can see why this book was popular, I just wish it had lived up to my memories. Maybe a parent could turn the books message around by saying that Rainbow Fish acted without much thought.
R
Rating: 
Summary: Bad message for children.
Review: A great children's author (who, for the sake of her privacy, shall remain nameless) once commented that "The Rainbow Fish", was the third in the triumvirate of picture book mediocrity. The first two being, of course, "Love You Forever" and "The Giving Tree". I don't feel like explaining why this statement is not only brilliant but sublime, so instead I'm going to review this seemingly innocent little picture book. Here we have a very dull book with a very poor message. In my humble opinion, it hardly deserves much notice.
Originally a Swiss picture book (who knew?), "Rainbow Fish" tells the tale of a little sparkly fellow below the sea. The Rainbow Fish glitters and glides in the ocean's depths, ignoring the calls of the other fish to come out and play. One day a little fish asks for one of his shiny scales. The Rainbow Fish is not exactly polite in his refusal, but for some reason this is the comment that causes all the other fish to make him a social pariah. The Rainbow Fish is a little upset by this and asks the advice of a wise old octopus. Unfortunately the octopus is of the opinion that Rainbow Fish should give away the very things that make him special. His shiny scales. Once he has given a scale to all the other fishes he'll look exactly like everyone else and be happy. He does and then is. The end.
I suppose if you looked at this book from a religious context it might make a little more sense. But even then the moral would still run along the lines of give-up-your-worldly-possessions-and-everybody-will-like-you. Hm. What makes this book so offensive to some readers is the simple fact that it's is preaching a kind of same = good mentality. Tis better to meld with the crowd than to hold onto that which makes you an individual and unique, it sayeth. Then there are the illustrations to contend with. In an interesting marketing technique, the shiny scales Rainbow Fish sports are small hologram-ish cut-outs that line his body. Little kids will, presumably, see the shiny things on the cover of the book and immediately grab it. But how stand the rest of the illustrations? Certainly the colors in this tale are luminous and lovely. Pfister has developed a lovely watercolor technique wherein the blended shades of the scenes work perfectly within the context of the story. Unfortunately, the actual illustrations themselves are fairly hum drum. Don't expect the breathtaking loveliness of Eric Carle's "Mister Seahorse" or even the originality of a similar seaside tale, Irene Haas's, "The Maggie B.". Characters here never change expression (except that once in a while their little fishy mouths curl either up or down as appropriate). As a gimmick, the shiny scales work well. Just don't pay much attention to anything else in this tale.
The best advice I can give regarding "The Rainbow Fish" is to recommend Leo Lionni's classic picture book, "Swimmy". Like The Rainbow Fish, Swimmy's a little guppy who's different from everyone else. But rather than, oh say, changing his scale color to blend in, Swimmy uses his unique position in society to help those around him while remaining true to himself. A powerful statement that "The Rainbow Fish" sorely lacks. I'm not saying this is the worst picture book ever written, mind you. Just a mediocre one. With all the wonderful picture books out there, why not grab the best and leave the rest? Or, if we're going to take the advice of the Rainbow Fish to heart, do what everyone else is doing and strive for mediocrity. Hey, it worked for him!
Rating: 
Summary: Under the sea
Review: A great children's author (who, for the sake of her privacy, shall remain nameless) once commented that "The Rainbow Fish", was the third in the triumvirate of picture book mediocrity. The first two being, of course, "Love You Forever" and "The Giving Tree". I don't feel like explaining why this statement is not only brilliant but sublime, so instead I'm going to review this seemingly innocent little picture book. Here we have a very dull book with a very poor message. In my humble opinion, it hardly deserves much notice.
Originally a Swiss picture book (who knew?), "Rainbow Fish" tells the tale of a little sparkly fellow below the sea. The Rainbow Fish glitters and glides in the ocean's depths, ignoring the calls of the other fish to come out and play. One day a little fish asks for one of his shiny scales. The Rainbow Fish is not exactly polite in his refusal, but for some reason this is the comment that causes all the other fish to make him a social pariah. The Rainbow Fish is a little upset by this and asks the advice of a wise old octopus. Unfortunately the octopus is of the opinion that Rainbow Fish should give away the very things that make him special. His shiny scales. Once he has given a scale to all the other fishes he'll look exactly like everyone else and be happy. He does and then is. The end.
I suppose if you looked at this book from a religious context it might make a little more sense. But even then the moral would still run along the lines of give-up-your-worldly-possessions-and-everybody-will-like-you. Hm. What makes this book so offensive to some readers is the simple fact that it's is preaching a kind of same = good mentality. Tis better to meld with the crowd than to hold onto that which makes you an individual and unique, it sayeth. Then there are the illustrations to contend with. In an interesting marketing technique, the shiny scales Rainbow Fish sports are small hologram-ish cut-outs that line his body. Little kids will, presumably, see the shiny things on the cover of the book and immediately grab it. But how stand the rest of the illustrations? Certainly the colors in this tale are luminous and lovely. Pfister has developed a lovely watercolor technique wherein the blended shades of the scenes work perfectly within the context of the story. Unfortunately, the actual illustrations themselves are fairly hum drum. Don't expect the breathtaking loveliness of Eric Carle's "Mister Seahorse" or even the originality of a similar seaside tale, Irene Haas's, "The Maggie B.". Characters here never change expression (except that once in a while their little fishy mouths curl either up or down as appropriate). As a gimmick, the shiny scales work well. Just don't pay much attention to anything else in this tale.
The best advice I can give regarding "The Rainbow Fish" is to recommend Leo Lionni's classic picture book, "Swimmy". Like The Rainbow Fish, Swimmy's a little guppy who's different from everyone else. But rather than, oh say, changing his scale color to blend in, Swimmy uses his unique position in society to help those around him while remaining true to himself. A powerful statement that "The Rainbow Fish" sorely lacks. I'm not saying this is the worst picture book ever written, mind you. Just a mediocre one. With all the wonderful picture books out there, why not grab the best and leave the rest? Or, if we're going to take the advice of the Rainbow Fish to heart, do what everyone else is doing and strive for mediocrity. Hey, it worked for him!
Rating:
Summary: Be wary... Why "bribe" others into being your friend?
Review: I agree that we don't need to flaunt the best things about ourselves, but I am upset that this book (and The Giving Tree) teaches children that they should give up the very things that make them special in order to have friends. If the other characters wouldn't be friends with Rainbow Fish simply because Rainbow Fish wouldn't give a piece of himself to them, then why should he want them as friends? What did they offer? Certainly not friendship! Talk about judging others! I like the story's attempt, but for a child, I think it backfires into a poor lesson!
Rating:
Summary: It's Rather Rotten
Review: I was gratified to see the trillions of lousy reviews for this book on Amazon. Still, I thought I'd throw in my shimmering scale too! And for those who think the book is some sort of insidious left-wing plot -- sorry, I'm as progressive as they come, and I hate the lousy thing too.
The book's "Give up what makes you special and bribe your way to friendship" message has been adequately dissed in other reviews, but even leaving that aside, this just isn't a very good book. The text is insipid and the illustrations (once you look past the very lovely hologram foil effects) are weakly executed. If it had no "message" at all, this would still be a mediocre book, with no wit, originality, or compelling characters to recommend it. Two stars for the pretty kid-attracting fishy scales -- I would give it 1 1/2 if allowed.
Rating:
Summary: Bad message for children.
Review: My cousins, who live in a socialist European country, recently visited us in the U.S., and gave this book to my children as a gift. I love my cousins but think this is a horrible book. The message is clear: if you are better than anyone else, or rise above your peers in any way, no one will like you, and you will be lonely and miserable, as well as the target of envy and sometimes hatred. However, if you bring yourself down to their level, or pay them off, you will be most popular! The book reflects the mentality of the socialist, and demonstrates altruism at its worst. Everyone must be the same, and no one can excel at anything or in any way. The rainbow fish teaches children that it is good to strip yourself raw for the benefit of others, who were never your true friends to begin with, but only wanted something from you and based their acceptance of you on what you could provide for them. You know, kind of like that bad friend in school who loves you when you're down and out, but can't stand it when you lose weight and are looking good or happy or successful. Once the rainbow fish has taken off and given away all its beautiful scales, it is no longer the prettiest fish. The other fish, who each got a scale, are not elevated, but rather, they're all dragged down to the lowest common denominator. One scale each. Not enough to make anyone prettier than anyone else -- no one can really shine. It's not about sharing and love, but more like emotional bribery. I give this book one star, only because I have to, and the illustrations are pretty. Steer clear.
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful book...hardly socialist...
Review: My daughters love this book, primarily for the illustrations. This book often gets mixed reviews from adults, some who find the message troubling. However, to those who might see a Socialist bent, or other negative moral, as a Libertarian I offer this: By discussing the various aspects of the story with your child, you can make the moral lesson to your liking. The rainbow fish is unhappy and lonely because he has something that other fish covet, however he is unwilling to share. Certainly the rainbow fish has no obligation to share his scales and nobody (not government nor society) in the book coerces him into doing so. Indeed the rainbow fish discovers how good it can make one feel to voluntarily give to others. He doesn't just receive friends in exchange for goods as some have shallowly accused, but looked at in another light the rainbow fish donates not only for others' material wants but because it MAKES HIM FEEL GOOD INSIDE. It is also in the community's interest. An important lesson for children is that voluntary giving is a good thing and our society, if it is to remain free, depends on it. I applaud the lesson in this book of free giving over coerced taxation or socialism. And, so others might not think I'm off my rocker in over-politicizing this book..I must point out that the characters are fabulous, the paintings gorgeous and both my young daughters find it irresistable. My youngest, at 2 and 1/2 is a HUGE rainbow fish fan, and that makes me a fan too.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful story, Beautiful Illustrations
Review: Pfister's colorful book, "The Rainbow Fish," tells the story of a beautiful fish who has spectacular, shiny scales. The shiny scales make him, the most beautiful fish in the entire ocean. The other fish become very jealous of the Rainbow fish when he won't share his scales. Sad and alone the Rainbow fish seeks help from the octopus,. Rainbow fish realizes he needs to share his sparkling scales with his friends and not be selfish. I think this is a wonderful book about sharing and being unselfish. The main character in the story, the Rainbow Fish, learns that his own outward beauty is not as important as his inner beauty. He also learns that by being beautiful on the inside, and giving up the beauty on the outside that he finds true happiness.
However, I have heard some people discuss the fact that this book does have some negative connotations. The story could convey that you have to buy friendship, and it is not good to stand out. I see the point in these arguments, but I do not think that is the moral that children will take from this book. I certainly did not gather that conclusion, let alone a five year old.
I think the use of the glittery material for the scales is a very eye-catching idea to use both for adults and children. Children love to look at the sparkling scales throughout the pages of the book. The rest of the ocean and fish are done in soft watercolors of blues, purples and greens. The colors give a very calming, and gentle feel throughout the book. The colors also make the sparkly scales stand out even more. You can definitely tell the Rainbow Fish is the most beautiful fish in the ocean, by the illustrations.
I personally love this book for its beautiful illustrations and the story itself. I think it sends a positive message and truly captivates the children with its eye catching and mesmerizing artistry. The illustrator's use of soft watercolors and soft shapes add to the plot and setting of the story. The colors and shapes exemplify the flow and the serenity of the ocean. Watercolors make a perfect texture, since the surrounding is water, and they give such a soft look to the pages. The holographic material used on the Rainbow Fish, truly let the reader see how beautiful and noticeable the fish really was. Any reader will be drawn to the beauty of the Rainbow Fish, due to the pretty, sparkling scales. This truly helps develop the character's physical self.
The illustrations also reinforce the text throughout the book. For instance, when the Rainbow Fish is left alone by all the other fish, the illustrator gives the fish a sad look to him with use of line and color. The lines give the fish a sad expression and a sad floating state. Also, the colors become darker purple, and less blue. The purple colors on these pages are darker and drearier than the bright blue on the previous pages. All of the surrounding wash out of the picture, whereas they are more defined and colorful when the Rainbow Fish is happy and is surrounded with friends.
Another good example of the illustrator helping to build up the characters in the story, is evident with the illustration of the octopus. The octopus is hidden in a dark colored cave, with little detail to his body and face. This artistic quality creates a mysterious and almost intimidating characteristic to the octopus.
The overall artistic style of the illustrator helps to enhance the literally style of the author. Both, the illustrator and the author come together beautifully to portray a sensitive yet important message to the reader.
Rating:
Summary: Simple Message of Sharing
Review: Socialism?? Entitlement??? My goodness. I have always felt the only drawback of this book is that it is overly simplistic, so I was stunned to see the hysteria in some other reviews. Books for children this young are meant for parents to use as a teaching tool, and I've used this book to talk about how good it feels to share our gifts and blessings. The wonderful watercolor- and-glitter illustrations capture even wiggly kids' attention. After giving away my son's copy, I'm back to buy another because I'm using it with a class. Is anyone else catching the irony of those reviewers who warn this book espouses Entitlement by demonstrating the virtues of sharing? I mean, what they are teaching their children -- that no one else is Entitled to what THEY own (sound like the snotty Rainbow Fish at the beginning of the story?) -- is the essence of Entitlement: I've got mine and the rest of you are out of luck. God help us.
Rating:
Summary: Terrible Message
Review: Someone just gave this book to my 19-month-old. Art-wise, it's a beautiful book. But I was just appalled by the ending. Sharing is great - but the rainbow fish should have given a FEW scales away, not all (except one). I will not read this book to my daughter.
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