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azure_blue's review
3.0
Giving doesn't mean losing. If you lost a precious thing by giving it to someone who needs it more than you do, you will gain things that are even more valuable, and one of them is happiness.
tunacullen's review
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dsylexa's review
1.0
I hate this book. I've disliked it since childhood and would give it zero stars if I could.
This isn't about sharing; it's about giving up parts of yourself to make others happy because they’re jealous. It’s a horrifyingly conformist and self-sacrificing message aimed at children, teaching them to change who they are to please others. The book suggests you need to give away things to be liked, which is a terrible lesson.
Rainbow Fish, with his beautiful scales, is pressured to give them away to jealous, selfish fish. The other fish don’t need the scales—they’re just envious. The story fails to address their jealousy and selfishness.
The plot: Rainbow Fish is shunned for not giving away his scales. An octopus tells him she can't give him the secret to happiness. Rainbow Fish then gives in, ripping off his scales to be liked. He ends up happier but only by disregarding his own comfort and boundaries. This is a terrible message for kids. I understand the intention to teach generosity, but the execution is poor.
I hate this book.
This isn't about sharing; it's about giving up parts of yourself to make others happy because they’re jealous. It’s a horrifyingly conformist and self-sacrificing message aimed at children, teaching them to change who they are to please others. The book suggests you need to give away things to be liked, which is a terrible lesson.
Rainbow Fish, with his beautiful scales, is pressured to give them away to jealous, selfish fish. The other fish don’t need the scales—they’re just envious. The story fails to address their jealousy and selfishness.
The plot: Rainbow Fish is shunned for not giving away his scales. An octopus tells him she can't give him the secret to happiness. Rainbow Fish then gives in, ripping off his scales to be liked. He ends up happier but only by disregarding his own comfort and boundaries. This is a terrible message for kids. I understand the intention to teach generosity, but the execution is poor.
I hate this book.
hairymaclairey's review
5.0
Ok, seriously. I've been reading this book literally my whole life. I think it is wonderful.
The only message I have ever received is that if you share your good fortune then others will appreciate you and your good nature. If you are selfish and refuse to open your heart then others will think exactly that of you and you will be alienated.
The rainbow fish shared his good fortune (being his shiny scales) with the less fortunate fish that only had dull, one colour. The rainbow fish never lost his whole identity and never have away all of his shiny scales. He kept one for himself and still had all his rainbow, which he was actually known for. It's just like a child with the most beautiful shade of hair that is almost impossible to recreate having a packet of lollies and then sharing them with the class. That child still has its physical identity and I'm sure kept one lolly for itself. They just learnt to share.
I think many people read too deeply into the story. A child isn't going to think of such extreme political themes, they are just going to think the fish was friendly because he shared.
Sharing is caring, right?
Another issue I have is, why does everything have to have a moral to the story? It is possible to write a story with out making the reader have some philosophical epiphany. Especially children. Who is to say what a proper moral or value for a child is, or for anyone for that matter?
I'm giving Pfister the benefit of the doubt and following my own instinct and opinion, it's a lovely, well illustrated story of a fish that learnt to share. That's it. Nothing more.
The only message I have ever received is that if you share your good fortune then others will appreciate you and your good nature. If you are selfish and refuse to open your heart then others will think exactly that of you and you will be alienated.
The rainbow fish shared his good fortune (being his shiny scales) with the less fortunate fish that only had dull, one colour. The rainbow fish never lost his whole identity and never have away all of his shiny scales. He kept one for himself and still had all his rainbow, which he was actually known for. It's just like a child with the most beautiful shade of hair that is almost impossible to recreate having a packet of lollies and then sharing them with the class. That child still has its physical identity and I'm sure kept one lolly for itself. They just learnt to share.
I think many people read too deeply into the story. A child isn't going to think of such extreme political themes, they are just going to think the fish was friendly because he shared.
Sharing is caring, right?
Another issue I have is, why does everything have to have a moral to the story? It is possible to write a story with out making the reader have some philosophical epiphany. Especially children. Who is to say what a proper moral or value for a child is, or for anyone for that matter?
I'm giving Pfister the benefit of the doubt and following my own instinct and opinion, it's a lovely, well illustrated story of a fish that learnt to share. That's it. Nothing more.
sheep17's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
toebean5's review
3.0
This was one of my mom's favorite books and I only remembered the general story line but had a pretty positive association with it. But during our discussion of Banned Books Week, one of the group mentioned that "some books should be challenged," and the book she referenced as being "commie propaganda for babies" was this one. Irony aside, of discussing what book she would ban during the annual celebration of literacy and access to books for all, I was intrigued enough to revisit the book. And you know what? I was surprised that I didn't think she was totally off-base. (Not about the challenging part: obviously- every book has its reader and every reader gets to decide what they want to read- not what everyone else gets to read)
Here's the deal- I'm a big fan of sharing, and teaching kids that it's important to give of yourself, especially to those in need. But... Rainbow fish was born with beautiful scales and other fish wanted them. Just to have them. He was ostracized until he gave them away. Rainbow fish had an attitude in the beginning, which was wrong; but then the other fish were a bunch of entitled jerks, which wasn't any better. Kids probably just read it as a book about sharing, but I am an adult who reflects that I never learned as a child about boundaries and depleting one's self in the care of others and wonders if the books I consumed didn't add to that. I'm feeling very mixed. Can't wait to discuss this one at the next family dinner!
Here's the deal- I'm a big fan of sharing, and teaching kids that it's important to give of yourself, especially to those in need. But... Rainbow fish was born with beautiful scales and other fish wanted them. Just to have them. He was ostracized until he gave them away. Rainbow fish had an attitude in the beginning, which was wrong; but then the other fish were a bunch of entitled jerks, which wasn't any better. Kids probably just read it as a book about sharing, but I am an adult who reflects that I never learned as a child about boundaries and depleting one's self in the care of others and wonders if the books I consumed didn't add to that. I'm feeling very mixed. Can't wait to discuss this one at the next family dinner!
buddygator's review
5.0
Sweet, simple, beautiful pictures. Sharing your wealth makes you wealthier (in happiness) than keeping it to yourself. An important reminder.