Author & Illustrator Profile
Marcus Pfister
9 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.
Books in "Rainbow Fish"
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
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 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
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
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
