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What Does The Rainbow Fish Mean? Is There an Underlying Meaning?

by Mary Emma on November 19th, 2008

The Rainbow Fish

“This is what the author means,” so often teachers, reviewers and readers say.

I’ve often wondered how they know, unless the author has specifically stated it.  When I was in school, my teachers, then my college professors told us this or that was what the author actually meant about books, plays and short stories we were reading.  They would pull out a commentary of some “expert’s” opinion and say that was what the author meant. Reviewers often tell us the same thing.

However, I often wondered, “Did the author actually say this is what he/she meant by that story?”  Yes, sometimes the author’s life experiences are reflected in the book or subject matter chosen.  But don’t reviewers and so-called experts often read more into the story than was intended?

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister brings the more controversy and discussion than  just about any book mentioned on One Book Two Book.  The post, Rainbow Fish Makes a Comback at Our House, was written by former blogger, Kelly Erb, about a year ago, yet still draws attention and comments.

Did the author write it as a social, socialistic commentary?  Or was it written as pure fun and to entertain young readers?  Is there an underlying message?  If so, is the message as deep as some commenters say?

What’s your take on this?  If anyone knows about specific references from the author about what he intended to convey, I’d enjoy knowing about them. 

(Check out my Controversial Books page.)

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POSTED IN: Best Sellers, Picture Books