Rainbow Fish to the Rescue

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View books by Marcus Pfister.

Much More Valuable if Read after The Rainbow Fish - Rated
This book is a superb sequel to the wonderful children's book, The Rainbow Fish. Although Rainbow Fish to the Rescue can be read as a stand-alone, the lesson from the book's moral is clearer if The Rainbow Fish is read first. The Rainbow Fish establishes the pleasures and benefits of sharing and belonging. It can leave a child feeling that there are no other issues. Rainbow Fish to the Rescue expands that vision to the idea of inclusiveness, rather than forming and maintaining cliques. You will also enjoy seeing the spectacular foil highlights on the pages, as you did with The Rainbow Fish.

"Ever since Rainbow Fish had shared his scales [with the other fish], these fish had done everything together." They enjoyed each other so much that they ignored other fish.

Their favorite game involved tag using the shiny scales that Rainbow Fish had shared as the it spot. When a little striped fish comes up and wants to play, some of the fish reject him because he doesn't have a scale like they do. In essence, they have become as vain and self-satisfied as the Rainbow Fish was at the beginning of the first book.

Although Rainbow Fish feels a twinge of sympathy for the little striped fish, he ultimately ignores the newcomer.

Suddenly, danger stalks the reef. The shiny scaled fish head for cover, leaving the little striped fish to his fate.

The book's resolution is full of good examples of how the many can change to accommodate the few without any serious harm or loss of fun to themselves. You can use this story to talk about the special issues of unpopular children and those who are new to the school. A helping hand in either direction is a great thing for a more popular child to provide. Many children would be willing to do that, but just either don't think of it or are not quite sure how to do it in terms of the group of friends the child has. With your helpful comments, those hurdles can quickly be overcome.

I suggest that after enjoying this book, you ask your child if anyone in her or his grade is ever left out like the little striped fish is here. Then, you could ask him or her what it probably feels like to be that child at those moments. From there, you can shift into how a helping hand of friendship can be usefully extended in an acceptable way.

May all be appreciated!

I loved the first rainbow fish book and this is just as good - Rated
Rainbow Fish must choose between his newfound friends and a lonely little fish when a dangerous, hungry shark threatens the reef in the colourful and beautifully illustrated book!
Being a teacher trainee I am always looking for a book I will enjoy telling the children and one that gets a lot out of the children. I have used this book with several schools and it has always had a possitive response from children and teachers. It gives the children opportunities to think and creates great opportunities for the children to practice a variety of skills right across the Curriculum. I even bought a copy for my niece's fourth birthday an she's constantly getting someone to read it! Superb illustrations like none I've seen before. There's a lesson to learn, as with all the Rainbow fish books! I loved it, children of all ages loved it, and anyone who hasn't read it or seen it will be totally amazed by Rainbow Fish To The Rescue! A MUST HAVE for all children and adults! Best used in class for children in the Foundation Curriculum and Keystage 1. So many areas in the Curriculum can be covered by this superb book! Areas include Religious Education (sharing and caring for others), Art (make your own Rainbow Fish), etc. The list is endless!