Simon & Schuster
The Rainbow Fish - by Marcus Pfister
The verdict
The Rainbow Fish is a beloved classic with beautiful illustrations that resonates across generations, though some reviewers object to what they perceive as a problematic message about conformity and report that shortened versions don't capture the original intent.
What parents love
- • beautiful illustrations
- • beloved classic
- • good for multiple ages
- • teaching opportunity
Worth knowing
- • shortened version changes message
- • promotes conformity over self-acceptance
Safety check — clear
We cross-checked this product and its manufacturer against CPSC recall notices, NHTSA child-seat recalls, FDA recalls and the AAP's safe-sleep criteria on September 7, 2026, and found no active recall or safe-sleep concern. That is a check of the public recall record, not a test of the product.
Not sure you need this at all?
We take no commission on anything here, so we can say what most lists won't: a good deal of standard baby gear is skippable, borrowable, or actively discouraged by current safety guidance.
Read what we tell people to skip ›How we read it: distilled from 564 Amazon reviews, last checked August 19, 2026. We carry no affiliate links and no brand pays to be featured — here's how we work.
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