The ninth book in the New York Times bestselling Rainbow Fish series. The vibrant, beautiful watercolor paintings enhance this important lesson for young children about making friends and not telling lies. –OmniLibros When Rainbow Fish meets a new friend, Humbert, he isn’t sure what to think. Humbert tells all kinds of strange stories: Somewhere at the bottom of the ocean there’s a plug! There’s a blue whale living near here . . . and he’s going to eat up all of our food. But before Rainbow Fish and his friends panic, they realize that Humbert just likes to make up tall tales. Rainbow Fish and his friends soon come up with an idea that might make them all happy—even Humbert. The familiar characters taking on an unusual topic make this a book to consider anywhere this series is popular. –School Library Journal PreS-K-Rainbow Fish is back in this new tale about a subject relevant to this age group-fibs and exaggerations. When Humbert, a new fish on the block, tells a story about a grumpy fish who might pull a plug that will drain the ocean, Rainbow Fish is skeptical. Why would a fish want to drain the ocean? Rainbow Fish and his friends confront Humbert, but he's already telling a new tale-this one about mean fish who want to take over their territory. The friends quickly come to understand that the stories are lies, and they begin avoiding Humbert. When Rainbow Fish sees Humbert all alone, he crafts a positive solution for this imaginative newcomer: Humbert becomes the official resident storyteller. The story and illustrations fall a bit flat; there are no real consequences to Humbert's telling tall tales as the lies are never truly believed, and the ending is pat. The characteristic foil scales and occasional punches of red and orange add some visual interest to an otherwise blue-green dominated seascape. VERDICT The familiar characters taking on an unusual topic make this a book to consider anywhere this series is popular.-Lindsay Loupα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. "The vibrant, beautiful watercolor paintings enhance this important lesson for young children about making friends and not telling lies." ― OmniLibros "The familiar characters taking on an unusual topic make this a book to consider anywhere this series is popular." ― School Library Journal It is a book that deserves a place in every library. ― Just Imagine "This is a universal story about friendship with a lesson somewhat like that of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." The story is a good one on its own, but the colorful, sparkly illustrations make it even better." ― Midwest Book Review Marcus Pfister was born in Bern, Switzerland. After studying at art school in Bern, he trained as a graphic artist. His first picture book was published by NordSüd in 1986, but his breakthrough as author and illustrator came in 1992 with the publication of The Rainbow Fish . Since then he has published more than 60 books, which have been translated into about 65 languages and have won many international awards. He lives with his family in Bern.