I know that not every 6-year-old is capable of having this kind of meta conversation about a picture book, but I was elated that Grace and I were able to have such a detailed talk about the interpretation of literature.

Finally, I said that he was special and had to become ordinary to have friends, and she again said that was silly because it was his attitude that was the most important thing. I also explained a wee bit about how he had to give away his things to get people to like him, and she explained that away. She thought that was silly because he had to change - he was conceited and mean and you have to be nice to make friends. Then I said that some people think this isn't a good book for kids because the fish has to change in order to get people to like him. She helped me to come up with even more themes and morals. I mentioned that some people think the book is about sharing or friendships or attitudes, and I went on to explain some of the positive interpretations. (This kid!!!) I told her that was a great interpretation, and that the interesting thing about literature is that everyone interprets the story differently based on her own views and beliefs. Grace loved the story, too, and she said it was like how Jesus gave His life to save all the people of the world. By the end of the book, he has learned that relationships are more important than any material things. Through the course of the story, he wants to make friends, seeks the counsel of a wise octopus, and gives away his scales one by one until he has only one left. He thinks he's better than all of the other fish because of his fancy scales, and he has no friends (because he is vain and aloof). In short, the book is about a fish who has beautiful, shimmery scales.

As I said above, I love this book, and the controversial points never occurred to me until I read about it in the book's reviews on. The first thing we did (of course!) was to read the book.

Instructions for the projects (included in the post below).

Here's what was inside the box from Cassie: Their book was The Rainbow Fish, and they included three separate activities about beautiful fishes. We created a package around the book Tiger, Tiger by Dee Lillegard, and we mailed it off to Cassie from 3 Dinosaurs.Ĭassie and her kids sent us a package, too. I love when that happens!Ī few weeks ago, we participated in the Love Books Summer Book Exchange. I read it to my niece when she was a little girl, and now I'm reading it to my girls. Have you ever heard of The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister? It's a beautiful (and controversial) children's book about a fish who learns to share.