Rainbow Fish
Original German cover
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| Author | Marcus Pfister |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Marcus Pfister |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Language | German |
| Genre | Children's book (illustrated) |
| Publisher | NordSüd Verlag |
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Publication date
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1992 |
| ISBN | |
| Rainbow Fish | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Canada Germany United States |
| No. of episodes | 26 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Decode Entertainment |
| Release | |
| Original network |
ZDF (Germany) HBO Family (United States) Rai 3 (Italy) La 2, Cartoon Network (Spain) |
| Original release | 1999 – 2001 |
The Rainbow Fish is a children's book drawn and written by Marcus Pfister, Swiss author and illustrator, and translated into English by J. Alison James. The book is best known for its morals about the value of being an individual and for the distinctive shiny foil scales of Rainbow Fish. Decode Entertainment turned the story into an animated television series of the same name, which had aired on the HBO Family television channel in the United States from 1999 until 2001.
The story tells of a fish with shiny, multi-colored scales named Rainbow Fish. He is always fond of his scales. But one day, a small fish asks him if he could have one. Rainbow Fish refuses in a very rude way. The other fish are really upset about his behavior and don't want to play with him anymore.
Feeling upset, his only friend left, the starfish, tells him to go visit the mysterious octopus for advice. Rainbow Fish finds the octopus and asks what he should do. The octopus tells him that he must share the beauty of his scales with his friends.
When he encounters the small fish a second time, the Rainbow Fish gives her one of his precious scales and, seeing the joy of this little fish, feels immediately much better. Very soon Rainbow Fish is surrounded by other fish requesting scales and he gives to each of them one of his shiny scales.
The author about his book:
"'Rainbow Fish' has no political message. The story shows us the joy of sharing. We all enjoy making presents for Christmas or birthdays and we are feeling good doing so. I want to show to our children the positive aspect of sharing: To share does not only mean to give away something (which is quite hard for a child), but above all to make happy someone else - and itself."
Reviewers have called this a "cautionary tale about selfishness and vanity" and a reminder that "sharing brings happiness and acceptance," but the moral of the book has become a widely debated topic. Interpretations include rejection of individuality and promotion of socialism.
Other interpretations include influencing children to give away their body and bodily autonomy to indulge the wants of others at their own expense. The message is seen as especially negative for girls and women who are only to be liked if they give away their "shiny parts".
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Wikipedia