Saturday, September 29, 2012

The Rainbow Fish



The Rainbow Fish
Author: Marcus Pfister
Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: Elementary
Year Published: 1992

Summary
This is a story involving a fish in the ocean who possessed many shiny, shimmering scales, and who was the most beautiful fish in the ocean. All of the other fish wanted to play with him, but he never would give them the time of day. He did not play with any other fish, because he thought that he was too special to mingle with the commoners. After a little blue fish asked for one of his scales and was denied, none of the fish would go near or acknowledge Rainbow Fish. After seeking advice from the wise octopus, Rainbow Fish knew he needed to share his scales and his beauty. After he did this, he became friends with everyone and was finally happy and content in his life. 


About the Author
Marcus Pfister was born in Switzerland on July 30, 1960. He went to the Art School of Bern (Switzerland) and became trained in the field of graphic design. After he completed school and had worked as a graphic designer, he traveled for a bit across the world. When he returned, he began working for himself as an independent graphic artist. He became an author/illustrator along with pursuing graphic artistry, and it wasn't until The Rainbow Fish that he became known internationally. He has published 49 books! He has four children, and currently resides in Switzerland. In his free time, he enjoys basketball and photography.
Source: http://www.marcuspfister.ch/biography.htm

How to Use it
 This story focuses on Rainbow Fish, and the lesson that he learns about sharing and how being the best or the most beautiful doesn’t make you happy. In fact, it makes you unhappy when you do not share your gifts with everyone.
 
Pre-Reading: Discuss with the class what makes a fish more beautiful than other fish. Talk to them about what kinds of fish are in the ocean, and how each one is special in their own way.


Post-Reading: This book is great for character education! You can discuss these questions with your class: What did the rainbow fish learn in this book? What did all of you learn about what is the right thing to do in this book? How did the rainbow fish feel after giving away his scales? These questions will bring the children's attention to the main theme in the story: sharing and being a good friend. 
Transitioning the conversation to how the book relates to their own lives would also be helpful. Children can talk with their partners about sharing things to make others happy, and how that brings happiness onto themselves. 



What do I Think?
I remember reading this book as a child, and I remember it sticking with me for a long time. The message in this book is potent: Just because you have more of something (money/beauty) doesn't make you a better person. It's how you use those gifts that really counts. 

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