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Marcus Pfister
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The Rainbow Fish Hardcover – January 27, 1999

by Marcus Pfister (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars 12,185 ratings
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The first book in the New York Times bestselling Rainbow Fish series.

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.

A CHRISTOPHER AWARD WINNER

WINNER OF THE BOLOGNA BOOK FAIR CRITICI IN ERBA PRIZE

AMERICAN BOOKSELLERS ABBY AWARD WINNER

AN IRA-CBC CHILDREN'S CHOICE

#1 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER and WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER
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  1. Reading age
    1 - 5 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Lexile measure
    AD610L
  5. Dimensions
    8.7 x 0.3 x 11.3 inches
  6. Publisher
    North-South Books
  7. Publication date
    January 27, 1999
  8. ISBN-10
    1558580093
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1558580091
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From the Publisher

Rainbow Fish with text "The New York Times Bestselling series"

rainbow fish and octopus

rainbow fish and friends

rainbow fish and little blue fish

The Rainbow Fish
Merry Christmas, Rainbow Fish
Good Night, Little Rainbow Fish
The Rainbow Fish Colors
The Rainbow Fish Bath Book
Customer Reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars 6,900
4.5 out of 5 stars 47
4.8 out of 5 stars 724
4.6 out of 5 stars 594
4.7 out of 5 stars 2,129
Price $5.20 $8.39 $10.95 $6.99 $8.95
Discover the world of the Rainbow Fish! Book 1 for ages 0-3 A Christmas book for ages 0-3 A bedtime story with Rainbow Fish Learn colors with the sparkling Rainbow Fish A waterproof bath book for tub time, beach time, anytime!
"Don't miss any of rainbow fish's sparkling stories!"

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If you read this very popular book just before bed, and the light is still on in the hallway, you can make the rainbow scales glitter on the page, and realize why the Rainbow Fish was so proud of his beautiful decoration. Sometimes, though, being too proud of outside beauty can blind a fish, or a child (or even, heaven forbid, a parent) to the beauty people hold inside. That's the lesson of this simple tale, imported from Switzerland. It's a useful one for future sneaker and designer clothing shoppers, for rainbow fish--and for quieter, plainer minnows, too.

From Publishers Weekly

Despite some jazzy special effects achieved with shimmery holographs, this cautionary tale about selfishness and vanity has trouble staying afloat. Rainbow Fish, "the most beautiful fish in the entire ocean," refuses to share his prized iridescent scales--which, indeed, flash and sparkle like prisms as each page is turned. When his greed leaves him without friends or admirers, the lonely fish seeks advice from the wise octopus, who counsels him to give away his beauty and "discover how to be happy." The translation from the original German text doesn't enhance the story's predictable plot, and lapses into somewhat vague descriptions: after sharing a single scale, "a rather peculiar feeling came over Rainbow Fish." Deep purples, blues and greens bleed together in Pfister's liquid watercolors; unfortunately, the watery effect is abruptly interrupted by a few stark white, text-only pages. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ North-South Books; Later Printing edition (January 27, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1558580093
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1558580091
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 1 - 5 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD610L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.7 x 0.3 x 11.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 out of 5 stars 12,185 ratings

About the author

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Marcus Pfister

Marcus Pfister

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Marcus Pfister has written and illustrated many books for North-South, including the popular Penguin Pete and Hopper series. His books The Rainbow Fish, Rainbow Fish to the Rescue!, and Rainbow Fish and the Big Blue Whale have become international best-sellers.

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
12,185 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers love the book's beautiful illustrations, with one noting its vivid pages, and appreciate its meaningful message about sharing and friendship. The book features sparkling colors, with one review highlighting its creative emphasis on glittering elements, and customers find it well-written with crisp pages. Moreover, the book brings back childhood memories and makes a great baby shower gift, while customers consider it worth the price.

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169 customers mention "Visual quality"167 positive2 negative

Customers praise the book's beautiful illustrations and colorful pages, with one customer noting its crisp covers.

"Cute story about sharing and friendship. Kids love the pictures, especially the shiny glimmery scales." Read more

"...The book is durable and has very bright, vivid colors." Read more

"...be forgotten about but it has such a good message and is beautifully illustrated." Read more

"...I don't know how they make the fish's scales so pretty (iridescent!) but I'm glad they do...." Read more

82 customers mention "Teaches sharing"79 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate how the book teaches children about sharing and friendship, with one customer noting its effectiveness after a visit to the aquarium.

"Cute story about sharing and friendship. Kids love the pictures, especially the shiny glimmery scales." Read more

"...got this for her preschool class and it was a big hit, valuable lessons about sharing." Read more

"This book is great for teaching kids to share. It’s a great story for a kid who is an only child...." Read more

"The sparkly colorful book has a moral tale as well as being a delightful read...." Read more

73 customers mention "Color scheme"73 positive0 negative

Customers love the book's color scheme, particularly the sparkling scales and shimmering gills on the rainbow fish, with one customer noting the creative emphasis on glittering elements.

"...Kids love the pictures, especially the shiny glimmery scales." Read more

"...The book is durable and has very bright, vivid colors." Read more

"...Book was delivered in good condition, fishes scales are as glittery as I remember them from my old book. Love it!" Read more

"...This one is more of an 8x12 matte finish with shiny scales on the fish. The shiny scales are a hit with babies and toddlers. Great book!" Read more

41 customers mention "Message quality"33 positive8 negative

Customers praise the book's meaningful message for children, with one customer specifically noting how it teaches the importance of empathy and sharing.

"...because it can sometimes be forgotten about but it has such a good message and is beautifully illustrated." Read more

"...because I read it a completely different way and actually really appreciated the message...." Read more

"...I highly recommend it! It was a good message about how sharing with others makes you happy and other happy." Read more

"...Now as an adult it has a good message and is cute and fun to read to my kids!" Read more

33 customers mention "Value for money"30 positive3 negative

Customers find the book worth its price.

"...your young ones about the importance of generosity and the effectiveness of greed...." Read more

"Very good book and a good price" Read more

"...Worth the money for sure!" Read more

"...It was delivered on time and in great condition! Worth the price!" Read more

23 customers mention "Readability"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and well written, with crisp pages that make it suitable for children.

"It arrived on time & pages are super crisp throughout. Love me a new book. A childhood favorite I gifted my cousin for her baby shower...." Read more

"...The colors are beautiful and crisp and I am really excited to share this with my children. It's a wonderful story." Read more

"Promotes values of sharing and discourages selfishness. Easy to read and beautiful to see. A must for all!" Read more

"...It has a great moral to the story. Very short easy read for children...." Read more

22 customers mention "Gift value"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a great baby shower gift.

"It was a gift and this book never disappoints! Thanks." Read more

"Great book. Just like I remember as I was younger. This was a gift at a baby shower. The mother loved it" Read more

"This book was given as a baby shower gift. The book was loved by son and daughter growing up. Everybody needs a little shiny scale or two!" Read more

"This was a baby shower gift and the mother liked it" Read more

17 customers mention "Memories"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming and nostalgic, bringing back childhood memories.

"...for my sister‘s baby shower in a hardcover it looks great brings back so many memories." Read more

"...The nostalgia was heavy and I just had to show her another book from my childhood. Yay new book traditions!..." Read more

"...we remember, such good colors, hard books, quality pages, and such a sweet and timeless story! Some things are always good!" Read more

"...It is beautifully illustrated and teaches the lesson of sharing in a poignant and understandable way to children. Worth the money for sure!" Read more

Great book for littles!
5 out of 5 stars
Great book for littles!
This classic book lives on in our classroom . Students always enjoy hearing it .
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Kendra
    5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite book
    Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This was one of my favorite books as a child. I bought this one for my daughter and she absolutely loved it. The book is durable and has very bright, vivid colors.
    Helpful
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  • kelly kowalewski
    5.0 out of 5 stars Rainbow fish
    Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I think I did a review back when I bought the book Verde. These books are classics. These are from when my kids were little and I’m 61 and they’re 31 and 32. There’s three of them there’s Verde there’s rainbow fish and they’re Stella Luna. I highly suggest you get these books for your children ages 3 to 4. They are such a great read and they have a message which is what this world needs now
    Helpful
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  • Andrew Mattson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I always gift this book at baby showers because it can sometimes be forgotten about but it has such a good message and is beautifully illustrated.
    Helpful
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  • Amber Riley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
    Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is a classic that kids love, my niece got this for her preschool class and it was a big hit, valuable lessons about sharing.
    Helpful
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  • Happy Camper
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good buy
    Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Nice condition. Arrived on time. Good book to read to the kids at school
    Helpful
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  • Nancy Hund
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hardback
    Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Beautiful story!
    Helpful
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  • Tuttle
    5.0 out of 5 stars It’s about sharing
    Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    When looking for a gift for a new baby whether for family or friends, this is my favorite book to give.
    Helpful
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  • kb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Childrenn love this book!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It was a gift and this book never disappoints! Thanks.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Brigitta
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ganz tolles Buch
    Reviewed in Germany on June 17, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Schön illustriert und für Englischanfänger geeignet. Eine ganz reizende Geschichte mit Moral, die von meiner Tochter (angehende Volksschullehrerin) in den Unterricht integriert wurde - fächerübergreifend (Englisch und Zeichnen).
    Report
  • Colégio Notre Dame
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Rainbow Fish
    Reviewed in Brazil on August 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Gostaria de solicitar a alteração do CPF na Nota Fiscal 058.528.526 pelo CNPJ em nome do colégio Notre Dame:
    60.993.193/0011-22

    15.436.940/0003-67
    Report
  • metty
    5.0 out of 5 stars mind blowing
    Reviewed in India on February 2, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    the presentation of the book is beyond words. definitely children would love it, highly recommended.
    Report
  • Mara Ortega
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muy recomendable
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 30, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Este libro se lo leía a mis hijos hace 25 años y ahora a mi nieto. Muy recomendable
    Report
  • D J Murchie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Rainbow fish
    Reviewed in Australia on July 4, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a great gift for little ones
    Report