The Rainbow Fish
The Rainbow Fish, originally published in 1992, is an international bestseller and a modern classic.
The rainbow fish with its iridescent scales is the most beautiful fish in the whole ocean. But since he is also vain and proud, he becomes more and more lonely over time. Then he realizes that you can’t win friends through beauty. He overcomes his pride and begins to distribute his glitter scales to the other fish.
Eye-catching foil stamping, glittering on every page, offers instant child appeal, but it is the universal message at the heart of this simple story about a beautiful fish who learns to make friends by sharing his most prized possessions that gives the book its lasting value.
#1 Publishers Weekly Bestseller
Wall Street Journal Bestseller
An IRA-CBC Children's Choice
Winner of the Bologna Book Fair Critici in Erba Prize
A Christopher Award Winner
Creators
Marcus Pfister was born in Bern, Switzerland. After studying at the Art School of Bern, he apprenticed as a graphic designer and worked in an advertising agency before becoming self-employed in 1984. His debut picture book, The Sleepy Owl, was published by NorthSouth Books in 1986, but his big breakthrough came six years later with The Rainbow Fish. Today Marcus has illustrated over fifty books, which have been translated into more than fifty languages and received countless international awards. He lives with his wife, Debora, and his children in Bern.
Reviews
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
The Rainbow Fish follows a little fish in the ocean, but, as readers learn, this isn’t just an average, everyday fish, it’s “the most beautiful fish in the entire ocean.” Unlike ordinary fish, this one has gorgeous, sparkly scales in various shades of beautiful colors. The fish could keep all of his beauty to himself, but instead, he shares it with his friends and feels immense joy in doing so. This book is full of gorgeous artwork.
Romper
Will fascinate preschoolers.
Booklist
