At first read, this story teaches very young children a gentle lesson in the virtue of sharing at an age when a child’s need to establish independence can make sharing a struggle. But the real beauty in the book comes when the Rainbow Fish strips away his pride, scale by shimmering scale, until his true beauty shines through. He learns, through a search for wisdom, that his worth comes not from his worldly wares, but from his ability to give from that which he loves best.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the wisest of all human beings, taught us that giving of ourselves never decreases our wealth, our time, our status, or our possessions. This book reinforces that message—the act of giving nourishes our souls and replenishes our ability to give more. Allah’s ﷻ blessings are boundless. We only limit them when we draw boundaries around our ability to give.