Synopsis
When a big blue whale comes to live near their reef, there is a misunderstanding between him and Rainbow Fish and his friends that leaves everyone very unhappy and hungry.
Children's Literature
Anyone familiar with Marcus Pfister's "Rainbow Fish" series knows that it is the magically reflecting silver fish scales of Rainbow Fish and his friends that first attract the eyes and fingers of young readers. The artwork in this board book adaptation provides similar visual and tactile stimulation. In this abbreviated retelling, Rainbow Fish and his friends happily eat krill along the reef until, one day, a gentle whale begins eating beside them. Because the whale stares at them, they panic, thinking the whale might eat them as well. As Rainbow Fish and his friends swim away, the whale feels hurt, and then he grows angry. He lashes at the little fish with his giant tail and, doing so, drives the fish and the krill away from the reef. In the end, which comes quickly in this small, six page book, Rainbow Fish approaches the whale to say they are sorry. The whale admits that he had merely been staring "because your shiny scales are so pretty." Protected by their new friend, Rainbow Fish and his friends swim off to find a new home. Soon, they forget their "terrible fight," and we do too, fascinated as we are by the plump, pastel fish, with their shiny silver scales. The eye-catching illustrations will encourage babies to turn the pages and the simple action will allow caregivers to paraphrase and amplify the retelling. However, toddlers will not understand the story as it is presented in this format. By the time they do understand this tale of misunderstanding and forgiveness, they will be old enough to look at and listen to the original version. 2001 (orig. 1998), North-South Books, $9.95. Ages 1 to 3. Reviewer: Jeanne Whitehouse