Vivian Hackney September 11, 2013 Low Stakes Writing #3 The Rainbow Fish By: Marcus Pfister Pictures

1. How do you know that the Rainbow Fish is the most beautiful fish in the ocean by looking at the pictures? 2. How do the shimmering scales on Rainbow Fish change throughout the book? 3. How do the pictures bring the text to life? 4. How does the darkness of the octopus change the mood of the story? 5. In what ways do the facial expressions of the Rainbow Fish change throughout the story? 6. Why do you think the author chose to make the pictures mostly blue, purple, and green? 7. Why do you think the backgrounds are blurry on each page except for the characters? Characters 1. In what ways do you see the Rainbow Fish evolve from the beginning of the story to the end? 2. Why do you think the other fish chose to not be friends with the Rainbow Fish? 3. What type of language does the octopus use to let you know he is wise? 4. Why do you think the Rainbow Fish was so mean to the little blue fish when all he wanted was one scale? 5. How would you feel if you were the little blue fish in the beginning and middle of the story? Story 1. 2. 3. 4. How does it make you feel when the Rainbow Fish has no more friends? What would you have done if a fish asked you for one of your shiny scales? Why does this book make you feel good in the end? Why do you think the wise octopus told the Rainbow Fish to give away his scales? 5. If you could change the ending of this book, what would it be?

Settings 1. What other sea creatures could you incorporate into this story? 2. Why wouldnt this story work in a different setting than just the ocean? 3. Why do you think the octopus lives in the dark cave? 4. What types of plants do you see throughout this story?

5. Since the pictures are so blue, do you think they are in deep water or more towards the surface? Themes (selfishness) 1. Why is it so hard for Rainbow Fish to share his beautiful scales? 2. Have you ever lost friends because you didnt want to share something? 3. How do you think the other fish would have reacted if the Rainbow Fish shared his scales from the very beginning? 4. When did the Rainbow Fish decide to share his beauty with the other fish? 5. What other ways could the Rainbow Fish have told the others that he didnt want to share his scales?