From the first glimpse of Rainbow Fish's glittering scales, preschoolers will be entranced with this tale of a beautiful yet selfish ocean dweller and his struggle to learn that friendship is more important than vanity. While younger kids will love simply looking at the bright blues and vibrant violets of the ocean floor inhabitants - the iridescent, shimmery scales of Rainbow Fish will especially catch their eye - the story's lesson is better suited to older children.
This is a great story to share with your soon-to-be kindergartner as it focuses on sharing and making friends, both important lessons to help a child succeed in a school environment. Be sure to emphasize that while Rainbow Fish may have thought he was content to just be admired by the other fish, he was not truly happy until he shared his lovely, shiny fins with the others and gained the friendship of many in the process. Help your child associate the story with a part of their lives, such as sharing toys with their friends.
For the past few weeks, the little girl I babysit, has been noticing characters in books sharing with others so when I read this story to Emily, she was ecstatic! She absolutely loved seeing that Rainbow Fish decided to share with the other fish and that they were all friends in the end. When she starts preschool next fall, I hope that she remembers this early lesson in sharing and friendship.
--Abby
The Rainbow Fish is an international bestseller 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.
With a story line that teaches children how to share even if they don't want to right away, I can definitely see why it is included in the Little One Books selection. The book itself has a great story and very colorful and vibrant illustrations so it is sure to keep the attention of any preschooler!
--Ashley Bliss, Blissful Reviews