PreS-K-It is difficult to understand what the creative impetus might have been for this picture book. There is little, if anything, that is new in the story line. Little Rainbow Fish is having difficulty falling asleep and wants his mother. He thinks of different scenarios in which he might get scared and asks if she will be there for him. Of course, she answers that she will protect and love him no matter what. Sounds familiar? The bright color illustrations of the fish are filled with familiar silvery scales that children are bound to enjoy. Overall, though, the book is nothing special.-Mary Cass Mabbot, Indianapolis Public Library, IN (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Little Rainbow Fish can't get to sleep until Mommy promises she'll always protect him. This slim story consists of a laundry list of scary what-ifs, ending unceremoniously with "and suppose I have a bad dream tonight?" ("I'll...hold you very, very tight.") Cool-toned illustrations with the usual silver iridescent scales may add some appeal for preschoolers by now comfortably familiar with the character. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Fans of Rainbow Fish and his glittery scales will recognize his bedtime fears and appreciate that his mom is there to address every one. When the piscine protagonist is afraid of the dark, Mommy sends for the lantern fish. When he counters, But suppose the tide comes and takes me away? his mother promises, Then I'll follow you faster than a swordfish can swim and bring you safely home. Couched in the language of the sea, the scenarios cycle through being lost, facing threats, being bullied, and more. Just the thing to help calm nerves when the day is almost done.--Austin, Patricia Copyright 2010 Booklist

For his 20th anniversary, Rainbow Fish gets a bedtime story. Poor little Rainbow Fish can't sleep. He tosses and turns, but he's just too anxious. Mommy sends in the lantern fish, but darkness isn't the problem. Rainbow Fish asks Mommy to stay and promise she'll never leave, but even that promise isn't enough. Rainbow Fish worries that the tide will come in and whisk him away. Mommy promises to swim faster than a swordfish and get Rainbow back home safely. What if he loses his way in a cloud of octopus ink? Mommy promises to find him and dispel the cloud. If a monster fish comes to get him? He'll have to contend with Mommy first! If a jellyfish threatens? Mommy will rescue Rainboweven from bad dreams. Pfister's seventh tale of the sparkly sea dweller, translated from the German, is a perfectly acceptable, though nowhere near innovative, bedtime book. The draw here remains the shiny scales on every page. The watercolor, pencil, and foil illustrations match the rest of the series. Rainbow's fears are age-appropriate, and young listeners will identify and be comforted. A formulaic, fishy nighttime read sure to please fans. (Picture book. 2-4)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.