Rainbow Fish

The Rainbow Fishby Marcus Pfisher has been a classic since it’s release in 1992. It’s the story of a fish who, because of his sparkling silver scales, has become vain and feels he is more beautiful and above the other plain looking fish. Although the other fish are in awe of him and want to be his friend, the Rainbow Fish just wants to parade around showing of his shiny scales, thinking he should be liked for his beauty alone. After getting angry when a small blue fish asks Rainbow Fish for one of his scales, all the fish stop talking to him. Soon Rainbow Fish is sad and lonely and asks himself "I really am beautiful. Why doesn't anybody like me?". He seeks council with the wise old octopus who tells him he needs to learn to share in order to be happy. At first Rainbow fish doesn’t like the Octopus’s advice, but when the little blue fish asks for one of his scales again, he thinks to himself that he won’t miss just one. Soon other fish come to him asking for a scale and with every scale he gives away the happier and more delighted he becomes. Soon, he only has one shiny scale left. He isn’t the prettiest fish in the ocean anymore, but he’s happy and he has friends. This story helps children learn that being vain isn’t a good thing and that it’s better to have less and be happy than more and be lonely. Although the summary inside of the book says the most beautiful fish in the entire ocean discovers the real value of personal beauty and friendship, I think it also teaches them the value of sharing—or about not letting your possessions possess you—which is a good lesson to learn early on. Good for children ages 3–7.