During my baby shower, someone bought a copy rainbow fish Written by Markus Pfister. I remember this book, a well-known classic to many Millennials, I loved the story as a kid. I loved the way the fish shimmered on the page and noticed a story about collaboration, friendship and sharing.
Yet as I sat down to read with my daughter, my husband and I looked at each other in confusion. What message does this book want to convey? Apparently, we’re not alone in thinking this way.
Fifth grade teacher and popular TikToker Mr. Vương expresses his displeasure rainbow fishadmitted that he didn’t like the book or its intended message.
“I don’t like this book—— rainbow fish. The illustrations are great and I think the author’s intentions were good,” he began before explaining some of the plot.
“The Rainbow Fish was very self-righteous because when all the other fish wanted to play with him, he swam past them and thought he was better. Then one of the fish asked for one of his scales but he refused, in my opinion Come on, I think he has the right to do that because he doesn’t have to give up a part of himself or anyone else.
Vương goes on to say that the book’s better message would have been to focus on Rainbow Fish’s flaws as a person—his lack of humility and ego.
“When the rainbow fish said no and drew the line, all the other fish decided not to play with him anymore. This says more about all the fish not accepting him because he didn’t give up his scales than it did about the fish. Reacting to his arrogant behavior,” he explained.
“Later, the wise octopus suggested to Rainbow Fish that all he needed to do was give his scales to other fish. Rainbow Fish realized he should share, so he did this to all the fish, and they accepted him.
The Rainbow Fish is accepted into the school because he gives up something that makes him unique. He has to change in order for others to like him.
Although the news rainbow fish While it may be out of date, the OP says he still uses the book for teaching purposes, just in a different way.
He continued: “I use the book to teach how to think critically about the topic. I start talking about what the topic is, and then I read the story without telling them my opinion. The kids then make all these connections on their own , some of them look at it through the lens of, “Oh, this is selfish.” Some of them said, ‘Wait, is he buying off his friends?
“We had a really good discussion about how our relationship shouldn’t be transactional and conditional, and you should never feel like you have to change yourself in order to feel like you belong,” he assured in the video.
“I also asked the children to reflect on the author’s intent and they discussed this as well. So the next part was to create an alternate ending where the theme was not that you have to pay for your friends. It’s important that our children be critical Think carefully about the text they read. Just because it has an award-winning sticker doesn’t mean it’s top-notch.
After his video went viral, some TikTok users expressed their thoughts on the book. Some people agree with the OP.
“Thank you. When I say that this book, along with The Giving Tree and The Stars, is not a good book, people look at me like I’m crazy.
Another said: “I learned about selfishness but why do they do it through the body of a fish.”
One person joked: “…now I know where I learned how to please people. Thanks FYP.
“I loved this book as a kid. As an adult I saw the problematic stories. So I was sad. Same with the Giving Tree,” admitted another.
Others disagree with the OP’s take on the message, that the scale is actually a metaphor.
“I’m pretty sure the scales are supposed to be a metaphor for pride. He gave up his pride because it was his flaw. He ‘bought’ it by selling it,” one person speculated.
“Love that perspective!” OP replied.
