Remember the saying “what ever got into kids these days?” Well, I think I found the answer… It’s these enlightened children books that we, parents, give them. The one that bothers me the most is called The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. The book is about a beautiful fish, new to this part of the ocean, that has shiny, colorful scales. Early on in the book, he is approached by a smaller, younger fish who asks for one of his pretty scales.

The rainbow fish says no (of course, what would you say if someone you didn’t know came up to you asking for some of your hair… or an eye?) and is then shunned by all the fish in the sea for not sharing. The only way for him to gain friendship is to give one of his pretty scales to each fish in the ocean, so that all can share his beauty. I’m sorry, but this story focuses on the ugly and devastating cardinal sin, Envy. Maybe even others. I understand the message the author is trying to make that sharing can make you and others feel better, but that message is drowned out by the less-than-redeeming messages such as endorsing envy, shunning those different from you, socializing personal accomplishments, paying for friendship, and diminishing the right to individuality.

It portrays a society built of individuals that cares more for what they have (or don’t have), willing to take from others what they want. Or, worse, it legitimizes a community that feels entitled to other’s accomplishments. The other side of the argument may be that these shiny scales are not an accomplishment, that he was born into a fortunate situation and didn’t work for his “assets”. True, but why criminalize him? Why not congratulate him? Shouldn’t we, as individuals, be happy when others succeed as long as it’s not at our expense? And, if you feel slighted because you were not born with shiny scales, you are falling into a state of despair and envy, neither are redeeming qualities. In this book, instead of shunning the fish that asks for something he is not entitled to, the other fish endorse his bad behavior and join his gang, pressuring the rainbow fish to “share” for the “common good”. So, the next time the school calls to tell you that your child has been forcing others to share their lunch, or paying for kids’ body parts, you’ll know where he got the idea.

In contrast, one of my favorite children books is by Dr. Seuss, Oh, the places you’ll go! The summary on the inside cover tells it all. “SUMMARY: Advice in rhyme for proceeding in life; weathering fear, loneliness, and confusion; and being in charge of your actions.” Wow. Now that’s a focused and positive message! The book, if you have not read it, is a book focused on the individual’s journey through life; ups and downs will happen, but with a positive attitude and hard work, you can succeed. My favorite part is in the middle of the book, after reaching highs, the individual falls into a slump. The book reads: “And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.” And a few pages later, “You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race… … headed, I fear, toward a most useless place. The Waiting Place…” It then describes a place where people wait. Waiting for something good to happen to them. And here is the good part “NO! That’s not for you! Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find bright places where Boom Bands are playing.” I haven’t done the book justice but once you read it, you will agree that the message is clear; your destiny is yours to make.

Just think if the fish in The Rainbow Fish would have read this Dr. Seuss. Instead of shunning the pretty fish and forcing it into an unproductive action of giving it’s valuables away, maybe the other fish would have taken action and started to make pretty artificial scales that they could sell.