Marcus Pfister ​

Marcus Pfister is a Swiss author and illustrator, best known for his children's book series featuring a sparkling fish entitled "The Rainbow Fish". The series has been translated into numerous languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide.

Quick Facts ​

• Best known for his book "The Rainbow Fish".
• His books have been published in numerous languages worldwide.
• Received the Book of the Year award from the Swiss Institute for Youth Book Research in 1993.
• His work often features shiny foil stamping, a distinctive characteristic.
• Works as both an author and illustrator.

Background ​

Pfister was born in 1960 in Bern, Switzerland. As a child, he had a strong interest in art and spent most of his free time drawing which led him to study graphic design at the School of Art in Bern. After graduation, he took a job with an advertising agency. Despite the demands of his job, he devoted much of his free time to writing children's books. In 1992, Pfister achieved international success with The Rainbow Fish, which has sold millions of copies across the globe and has been translated into over 50 languages. Since then, he has continued to create popular children's books, many of which have also gained international attention and awards.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Pfister is primarily known for his strikingly colorful, hand-painted illustrations, as well as for his authorship of children's literature. He is splendid at concocting visually stimulating works that engage the child readers and enable them to perceive the life lessons seeping through the storylines. Pfister's work has been distinctive in its creative use of techniques for illustration, such as the popular 'Rainbow Fish' book series where cut-outs and holographic foil were used for a glossy and sparkly look, making the undersea setting visually enticing for the children audience.

Notable Works ​

• The Rainbow Fish (1992)
• Rainbow Fish to the Rescue! (1995)
• Rainbow Fish and the Big Blue Whale (1998)
• The Rainbow Fish and the Sea Monster’s Cave (2001)
• Rainbow Fish Discovers the Deep Sea (2006)
• Rainbow Fish Finds His Way (2007)
• Rainbow Fish Colors (2009)