10 Books for Young Readers Who Enjoy The Rainbow Fish
by Dena McMurdie
With its foil stamped pages and bright illustrations, The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister is a modern classic and a childhood favorite for readers everywhere. It teaches the valuable lesson that kindness and friendship are more important than beautiful possessions.
Whether your child loves the special effects in the illustrations or you’re on the hunt for more books with teachable messages, here are ten picture books similar to The Rainbow Fish.
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Hooray for Fish!
Available from:Little fish lovers will enjoy this modern underwater classic from the beloved creator of the Maisy series. Colorful illustrations and simple text take the reader on a deep-sea exploration of the ocean’s creatures. It’s a must-have for every child’s home library!
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Something, Someday
Available from:When a little boy sees a problem and wants to fix it, people say the job is too big and challenging. But with help from his friends, he tackles the problem, one small task at a time. This gorgeous picture book from presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Christian Robinson shows children how small things add up to significant results.
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Glitter
Little readers who enjoyed the glittery foil in The Rainbow Fish will also like this sparkly book with a similar theme. But instead of keeping her shiny possessions for herself, Gloria the rhino spreads her glitter far and wide until it covers everything and everyone. Children will love the subtle message in this colorful, shimmery book.
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Llama Llama Time to Share
Available from:Play dates can be fun, but sharing toys isn’t always easy. When a new friend comes over to play, Llama Llama learns that selfishness can lead to heartbreak. Easy to read and comprehend, this sweet book teaches young readers the value of sharing.
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Give
Available from:Small acts of kindness take center stage in this heartwarming picture book. Gentle prose and hand-drawn illustrations encourage tiny readers to share what they can, no matter how small. Ideas range from physical items like crayons and ribbons to intangible things like kindness and help.
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It’s Mine!
Available from:Three selfish frogs bicker over everything, each claiming to own things like water, earth, and air. When a storm comes along, the frogs are forced to crowd onto a rock together to keep from getting wet. With Leo Lionni’s signature illustrations and a surprise ending, this picture book teaches the timeless lesson of sharing.
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The Brand-New, Never-Used, Perfect Crayons
Available from:Violet gets a new, perfect-looking box of crayons and can’t bring herself to use them, even though she is bursting with ideas. So, when her little sister helps herself to the new crayons, Violet must let go of her perfectionism and embrace her creativity. Kids and adults alike can relate to the message of living life to the fullest, even if it gets a little messy.
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The First Day of Peace
Available from:Like The Rainbow Fish, this picture book is a modern parable about generosity and kindness. A terrible drought creates tension between the mountain people and valley people until a flood inspires a little girl to reach across the divide and unite the two communities.
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Strega Nona’s Harvest
Available from:When Strega Nona harvests her vegetable garden, she has more food than she can eat. She decides to share her bounty with her less-fortunate neighbors. With themes of hard work, kindness, and sharing, this autumn picture book has a message that resonates with readers all year long.
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The Sharing Book
Available from:In this adorable picture book, two best friends and their families go camping and share things like smiles, music, pinkie promises, and sunrises. Rhyming text and gorgeous, collage-looking illustrations make it an excellent bedtime pick for readers who enjoyed The Rainbow Fish. If you want more joyful books celebrating kindness, add this one to your reading list!
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2024.