Title: The Rainbow Fish
Author: Marcus Pfister
Genre: Children’s
Publisher: North-South Books, Inc.
Publication Date: January 28, 1999
Hardcover: 32 pages

Where’d I Get It: Purchased

Synopsis (From Goodreads):  Rainbow Fish will enchant even the youngest child with his silver scales and heart of gold in this award-winning book about the beautiful fish who learned to share his most prized possession.

My Thoughts: You know the saying about books…the one where you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover?  Well, apparently I forgot about that when I purchased this for my son. It’s gorgeous; I had to have it!  Also…It’s won awards! It has to be fantastic, right? I mean, really, it’s The Rainbow Fish.

I have no idea why I didn’t read a few reviews before I bought this thing. It must just have been the cover. I really wish I had, though.

Now that said, my husband seemed to have no issue with this book.  I just can’t say that I feel the same.

The general theme is supposed to be about sharing.  We all know that sharing is caring, right? Right! Well, while I feel that the author’s INTENT was to teach a lesson about sharing, I think the execution was absolutely not on point.  This unique fish, different from all the others in a very prominent and noticeable way, is basically forced by peer pressure to pull himself apart and give pieces of himself to other fish in order for them to accept him and be his friend.  At the end of the story, after he’s altered himself as to be barely recognizable, he has a slew of new little fishie friends and all is “right” in the world.  Bleh. It leaves a foul taste in my mouth.

The Geekling’s Opinion:  Well, he’s 7 months old, so anything bright and sparkly gets his attention.  He absolutely loved being read to and wanted to eat the pictures.  I’m going to guess he’d probably give it a 5. 😉

Rating: 2 of 5

Book 1 of 36 in the 2012 Read to Me – Picture Book Reading Challenge.