Marcus Pfister The Rainbow Fish

Last updated: June 18, 2019


We looked at the top Children's Books and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Children's Book you should buy.

Product Details

In our analysis of 99 expert reviews, the Marcus Pfister The Rainbow Fish placed 13th when we looked at the top 13 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

The Rainbow Fish is an international best-seller and a modern classic. 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.

Expert Reviews


What reviewers liked

The text to illustration ratio is pretty equal. The detailed illustrations match the very intriguing text. The way the author talks about the beautiful scales on the fish matches. The colors definitely contribute to the popularity of the book. The shimmering silver foil used in the actual books really catches the bright blues, pinks, and purples. It helps define and make the other colors pop.
- Medium
My favorite part is when the rainbow fish goes to the wise octopus.
- OCSLC
I loved this book as a child and I’ve been reading it to my children too and the bright beautiful pages help to grasp their attention!
My favorite part is when the Rainbow Fish shared his scales. I like this part because it's nice to share. Children will love the illustrations because it has glitter on them. The glittering illustrations make this book special.
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.
Maren, with her little hulk baby muscles, has already managed to bend the front cover out of shape, btw. So I’m docking some points in the fold resistance.It’s a bigger board book, so not quite as dense, and therefore easier to bend. But it‘s holding up well against slobber for now.

What reviewers didn't like

Despite some jazzy special effects achieved with shimmery holographs, this cautionary tale about selfishness and vanity has trouble staying afloat.
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.
View our Children's Book buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

From our partners