Author & Illustrator Profile
Marcus Pfister
21 Books
Marcus Pfister is a Swiss children’s author and illustrator best known for creating The Rainbow Fish, a bestselling picture-book series recognized for its shimmering foil art and gentle lessons about friendship and sharing. He has written and illustrated many picture books, including stories in the Hopper, Milo, and Penguin Pete series. His books are widely translated and are especially popular with young readers.
The party is coming, and every animal wants to arrive looking extra special. An elephant imagines a surprising new pouch, a lion dreams of bright wings and a beak, and other friends picture themselves with wonderfully mixed-up features that are funny, bold, and completely unexpected.
Marcus Pfister’s playful picture book uses clever die-cut pages to tease each animal’s dream transformation before revealing the full silly scene. Young readers can guess, laugh, and look closely as each page turns into a new animal surprise.
Warm, gentle, and full of imagination, Just the Way You Are is a reassuring story about friendship, self-acceptance, and noticing what makes every friend special.
6-8 Years
30 Pages
Milo the mouse leads a quiet life on a small, rocky island in the middle of the sea. While exploring a deep crevice, he stumbles upon a glowing, magical stone that radiates comforting warmth and bright light. The discovery is incredible, but it brings a major dilemma for Milo and his community. How will this mysterious treasure change the lives of the island mice?
The decision is placed directly in your hands. Halfway through the adventure, the pages split into two separate paths. You can follow one path to see how wise choices bring joy and prosperity, or turn to the other path to witness the disastrous environmental consequences of greed. This unique format lets you explore how everyday choices impact the future, demonstrating that every action has a lasting effect on the world around us.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Leo is the King of the Beasts, but he does not exactly act like a royal leader. Instead of helping his subjects or looking after the savannah, he spends his days resting in the tall grass, demanding to be waited on and admired by everyone else. Tired of his lazy and selfish behavior, the other animals decide they have had enough. They take away his golden crown and send him far away from his comfortable home.
Banished and entirely on his own, Leo faces the harsh realities of the wild. Without his title or his servants, he must figure out how to survive. Along his journey, he realizes that true leadership is not about demanding respect, but about showing kindness, cooperating with others, and taking responsibility for the community.
6-8 Years
38 Pages
The ocean is usually a calm and playful place, but today a sudden, fierce underwater storm sweeps through the reef. The swirling currents and dark waters scatter the fish in every direction. When the water finally clears, Rainbow Fish is completely alone and far from home.
Lost in an unfamiliar part of the sea, he must figure out how to navigate back to his family. Fortunately, the ocean is full of kind strangers. He meets a helpful striped fish, a gentle sea snail, and other unique creatures who gladly offer their guidance. With the support of his new friends and a lot of determination, Rainbow Fish learns to trust others and eventually finds his way back to his glittering school.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
A new fish named Humbert has arrived at the reef, and he certainly knows how to spin a yarn. He tells the other fish that there is a giant plug at the bottom of the ocean that could drain all the water, and he warns them about a massive blue whale plotting to eat their entire food supply.
At first, Rainbow Fish and his friends are terrified by these alarming reports. But as Humbert's stories become more and more outrageous, they realize he is simply making up wild tall tales to get attention. Instead of getting angry or chasing him away, the community works together to find a creative solution. They figure out a clever way to let Humbert use his vivid imagination without causing unnecessary panic among his friends.
6-8 Years
30 Pages
Far out in the deep blue sea lives the most spectacular creature in the entire ocean. He is called the Rainbow Fish, and his scales are a breathtaking array of shimmering silver, blue, green, and purple. He is undeniably beautiful, but he is also incredibly vain. When a small blue fish asks for just one tiny, glittering scale, Rainbow Fish proudly refuses and turns away.
Soon, the other fish stop playing with him, leaving him completely alone with his unshared beauty. Desperate for companionship, he seeks advice from the wise octopus. He learns a difficult but important lesson: true happiness does not come from admiring yourself, but from sharing what you have. By giving away his prized scales, he discovers the joy of friendship and the real meaning of being beautiful on the inside.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Disaster strikes the coral reef when Rainbow Fish accidentally drops his final, precious silver scale. He watches in dismay as it sinks down into the dark, uncharted depths of the sea. His friends beg him to stay in the shallows, warning him about the creepy, strange creatures that lurk in the pitch-black water.
But Rainbow Fish is determined to retrieve his scale. Summoning all his courage, he dives past the safe, sunlit waters and into the shadowy unknown. Down in the dark, he is amazed to encounter a glowing firefly squid and a host of other fascinating, bioluminescent animals. He quickly realizes that the deep sea is not a scary place at all, but a spectacular world filled with wonderful new friends who just happen to look a little different.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Jack is the brightest, fastest little yellow taxi in the city. He zips through the streets feeling completely content until he spots a bus heading out with a sign that reads, Come to Brazil. Suddenly, Jack finds himself transported into the skies and landing right in the middle of a lush rainforest. Instead of busy city commuters, his new passengers are colorful macaws and playful howler monkeys. Life in the jungle feels like a wonderful game.
But the peaceful games are interrupted when loud bulldozers and heavy cranes arrive to clear the trees. Startled by the destruction, Jack wishes the machines would just return to the city where they belong. The moment he blinks, he is back on his familiar city streets. Was the jungle adventure real, or just a dream? A single coconut resting quietly on a park bench suggests that magic might be closer than he thinks.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Little Owl has a terrible habit of sleeping right through the evening. By the time she finally opens her eyes and shakes off her dreams, the night sky is dark and all the other owls have already flown away to hunt and play. Left completely alone in the quiet trees, she feels incredibly lonely.
One evening, her luck changes when she meets a boy named Tom. Tom is awake and full of energy, and the two quickly form an unusual bond. Determined to help his new feathered friend, Tom comes up with clever ways to make sure Little Owl wakes up on time. With his help, she might finally get the chance to join her owl family and discover the fun that happens when the stars come out.
6-8 Years
28 Pages
Playing games with friends is supposed to be fun, but it is not always easy when things do not go your way. Rainbow Fish and his underwater friends are enjoying an exciting game of hide-and-seek among the coral reefs. When another fish finds the best hiding spot and wins the game, Rainbow Fish feels his temper rising. Instead of congratulating the winner, he gets upset and threatens to quit playing altogether.
Feeling frustrated, he swims away to sulk. Soon, he realizes that throwing a tantrum is a quick way to lose out on all the fun. With a little reflection and some gentle encouragement, he learns that everyone loses sometimes. He discovers that being a good sport and celebrating the success of others is the real key to keeping your friendships sparkling.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
The ocean is dark and quiet, but Little Rainbow Fish is tossing and turning. He simply cannot fall asleep. He worries about everything from getting caught in a messy octopus ink cloud to losing his way in the vast, deep blue sea. Most of all, he is afraid of having a bad dream.
Luckily, his mother is right there beside him. With soothing words and gentle reassurance, she promises to watch over him through the night. She explains how she will protect him from every imaginary danger, making the giant ocean feel safe and snug. Comforted by her constant presence and unwavering love, Little Rainbow Fish finally closes his eyes, drifting off into peaceful, happy dreams.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
The winter forest is covered in a thick blanket of cold, white snow, and Hopper the little hare is not enjoying it at all. His paws are freezing, and he is entirely tired of chewing on dry, tough bark for dinner. He wishes the bright, warm days of spring would hurry up and arrive.
But winter is not entirely boring. Hopper soon finds himself tumbling through the snowdrifts with his good friend Nick. Together, they have thrilling encounters with a magnificent stag and experience a heart-pounding escape from a swooping falcon. Guided by his patient mother, Hopper learns how to safely navigate the icy landscape and search for food, discovering that even the chilliest season can be full of exciting adventures.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
The world is filled with beautiful mysteries, and it is wonderful to stop and wonder about them. How do birds know the right melodies to sing? What signals the leaves to change from bright green to crunchy brown and drift to the ground? Why does summer always follow the rainy days of spring?
Through thirteen gentle, rhyming verses, this soothing exploration looks at the quiet magic of the natural world. Instead of simply handing out facts, it invites you to look closely at your surroundings, ask your own big questions, and appreciate the marvelous details of the outdoors. It is a perfect, calming journey that celebrates curiosity and the endless wonders waiting right outside your door.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
The bumpy-backed fish is terribly ill, and there is only one thing that can cure him. He needs a special healing algae that grows in the most terrifying place in the entire ocean: the Sea Monsters' Cave. The other fish share frightening rumors about giant rock monsters, a bizarre five-eyed globe fish, and a horrific creature with a thousand grabbing arms.
Despite the terrifying stories, Rainbow Fish knows he must help his sick friend. Accompanied by the brave little blue fish, he swims into the gloomy depths. As they navigate the dark, shadowy cave, their imaginations run wild. But when they look closer, they realize that the spooky monsters are just harmless plants and ordinary sea creatures. By facing his fears head-on, Rainbow Fish proves that things are rarely as scary as they seem.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
A massive blue whale has moved into the waters near the sparkling coral reef. The gentle giant loves to float quietly and watch Rainbow Fish and his friends play in the shimmering sunlight. But because the whale is so incredibly large, the little fish become suspicious. They misinterpret his peaceful staring and assume he is planning to eat all their food.
The misunderstanding grows worse when a startled fish offends the whale, making the giant creature angry and hurt. Soon, the entire reef is in an uproar, and everyone is hungry and hiding. Rainbow Fish realizes that jumping to conclusions has caused a terrible problem. He bravely swims out to talk to the whale, hoping to clear up the confusion and restore peace to their underwater home.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Winter has lasted a long time, and Hopper the hare is eager for a change. When his mother cheerfully announces that spring is finally coming, Hopper is thrilled. However, he completely misunderstands her. Thinking that Spring is a new friend coming to visit, he bounds out of his cozy den to search for him.
He hops through the melting snow and asks every animal he meets if they have seen someone named Spring. He questions a busy mole, a friendly bear, and even a wise owl. None of them can introduce him to Spring, but they all point out the melting ice, the budding flowers, and the warmer breeze. Through his funny mistakes, Hopper ends up making wonderful new friends and discovers exactly what the changing season really means.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Pete is feeling frustrated because the older penguins will not let him join their fishing trip. Determined to prove he is big enough for his own adventure, he waddles off to cast a line by himself. Exhausted from his efforts, Pete falls asleep on what he thinks is a floating island, only to discover he has taken a nap on the back of a friendly whale.
The giant creature carries Pete far from his icy home, introducing him to a whole new world of interesting companions. Along the way, Pete meets a cheerful boy, a massive elephant seal, and a playful group of sea lions. By the time the whale brings him safely back to his own colony, Pete has collected wonderful memories and realized that friendship can be found anywhere.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Dazzle is not your average dinosaur. Down his back, he has a row of magnificent, glittering spines that shine in the sunlight. When he and his best friend, Maia the Maiasaurus, decide to go exploring, they embark on a massive prehistoric journey. They trudge through ancient forests, meeting a gentle Stegosaurus and a towering, helpful Apatosaurus.
But their adventure takes a dangerous turn when they come face to face with the dreaded Dragonsaurus, a fierce creature who has taken over Maia's old family cave. Dazzle knows he has to help his friend reclaim her home. Using his brilliant, reflective spines, Dazzle comes up with a clever plan to outsmart the terrifying beast, showing that friendship and a little bit of sparkle can conquer the biggest bullies.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Pete is the youngest and smallest penguin in his entire icy colony, and it is not always easy being so tiny. While the bigger birds dive gracefully into the freezing ocean to catch fish, Pete has to stay behind on the snowy shore. He passes the time by trying to imitate the flying birds that occasionally land on the ice, flapping his flippers in vain.
When his temporary flying friends pack up and leave, Pete feels incredibly sad and left behind. But his luck is about to change. He finally gets the chance to slip into the water and practice his swimming. To his absolute delight, he discovers that even though penguins cannot fly in the sky, they are built to soar effortlessly through the ocean waves.
6-8 Years
25 Pages
A small, striped fish has wandered into the neighborhood, and he does not have a single shimmering scale. Because he looks different, the other fish decide to ignore him and refuse to let him join their games. Rainbow Fish remembers what it feels like to be an outsider, but he is too nervous to speak up and risk losing his own friends.
Suddenly, a hungry shark darts into the reef, scattering the school in terror. The little striped fish is left completely exposed and in terrible danger. Rainbow Fish must make a split-second decision. He gathers all his courage and rallies his friends to perform a daring rescue. Together, they learn that true bravery means standing up for others, no matter what they look like.
6-8 Years
20 Pages
Pete the penguin has just returned from an exciting journey across the seas, and the entire colony has gathered on the ice to welcome him back. Among the cheering crowd is Pat, a beautiful girl penguin with a charming blue beak. Pete is instantly captivated.
The very next morning, he sets out across the frosty landscape to find her and introduce himself. They quickly become the best of friends, sliding on the ice and exploring the frozen shores together. Their friendship soon blossoms into romance, leading to a joyful wedding surrounded by all their friends. The happy couple's lives become even more wonderful when they welcome their new baby, Tim, who inherits a perfectly unique green beak.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
