Sky Fire

Moonbear #4

by Frank Asch

When he sees a rainbow for the first time, Bear thinks that the sky is on fire and he is determined to put out the skyfire.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Storytime, School

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Frank Asch is an American children's writer, best known for his Moonbear picture books.

Asch published his first picture book, George's Store, in 1968. The following year he graduated from Cooper Union with a BFA. Since then he has taught at a public school in India, as well as at a Montessori school in the United States, conducted numerous creative workshops for children. He has written over 60 books, including Turtle Tale, Mooncake, I Can Blink and Happy Birthday Moon. In 1989 he wrote Here Comes the Cat! in collaboration with Vladimir Vagin. The book was awarded the Russian National Book Award and was considered the first Russian-American collaboration on a children's book.

Asch lived in Somerville, New Jersey where he and his wife home-schooled their son Devin.

He currently lives in Vermont with his wife, Jan.

Reviews

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to reread the books I have from this series before I passed them along to my 6 week old niece to enjoy. I love the pictures in these books. This one was a Christmas gift from my parents in 1988, so I would have been 5.

Original rating and review posted: 9/2/25

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear sees a rainbow in the sky and, never having seen one before, thinks that the sky is on fire. Little Bird tells him that it is a rainbow and that they should look for the pot of gold that’s supposed to be at the end of the rainbow. But Bear is certain that the sky is on fire . . . .

When Bear throws a honey pot filled with water at the rainbow, what will happen? And what did Little Bird find in the tree at the end of the rainbow?

Bear’s adventures continue in this clever tale; his delightful response to “sky fire” is sure to captivate young readers [who are likely to know exactly what a rainbow is and that Bear is wrong about the sky being on fire]. Although the story offers no information on rainbows, it can become a perfect gateway for that discussion should the young reader wish to know more about rainbows.

As the rainbow adventure unfolds, the story celebrates the enduring friendship between Bear and Little Bird, something fans of the series are sure to appreciate. This charming tale, with its colorful, appealing illustrations, is a perfect book for parents and young readers to read and enjoy together.

Highly recommended.

[Bernice · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was in early elementary school, this was one of my favourite bedtime books and couldn't sleep unless my mother read it to me. I have seen lost my copy after moving houses several times, and will probably buy it when I have kids. Hopefully, they will be able to sleep without me reading this book to them every night.

It is about a bear, named Moonbear who saw a rainbow and thought that the sky was on fire. So he rushes to try to put out it out. He later sees honey in a tree. It reminded me to see things in a different perspective, and made me realize that not everything that seems terrible is actually bad. Sometimes it can be a positive thing.

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank Asch’s books, particularly the ones featuring Bear, were essential to me in my 35 years as a children’s librarian. I’m sad that they are becoming harder and harder to find, and are going out of print. The simple stories —Bear misunderstanding something to do with nature usually, always with a wonderful conclusion, delighted children to no end whenever I used them in storytime. There are many, many wonderful children’s authors and illustrators nowadays, but my hope is we never forget the classic ones like Asch.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the title - Sky Fire - and the ending is funny.

This is part of an older series of books about a little bear and his bird friend.

The bear thinks the sky is on fire when he sees a rainbow. The bird wants to find gold.

Kids enjoyed and were quick to point out that bear is wrong.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids enjoyed this book. I found the book lacking in explanation of rainbows. just my opinion though.

[Lee Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting book about unique perspectives. 2/5 stars.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bear and his bird friend disagree over what a rainbow is when they see one in the sky. Which one is right? Preschool and up

[Oscar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hey guys, how about you read it?

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun kids book! Short and sweet.

[Calvin Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

10/1000

Calvin: thankfully didn’t ask me how that hat stays on Little Bird…

Daddy: love the 80s art. Unfortunately, reminds me of Fire in the Sky (1993) that gave me nightmares 🥲

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bear sees a rainbow and thinks the sky is on fire. A bird sees the same rainbow and encourages the bear to seek the pot of gold. The bear fills his pot with water and tosses it onto the rainbow, thus putting out the fire. Then he finds golden honey in the tree that had been at the end of the rainbow.

Eh. Nothing that suits my fancy here.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear sees a rainbow in the sky and thinks that it's on fire. He rushes to save it and runs into his friend, Bird, who sees that it's a rainbow and tries to get Bear to look for the gold at the end of the rainbow. Really this book is all about the difference of perspective and the fact that both people can be right in their own way. I can definitely see it as a strong teaching tool for kids.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite rainbow book. If I'd pre-read, this would be the first we read together and then gone onto the more scientifically correct ones. This one goes through the myth/misunderstandings, but then doesn't resolve them with truth. I think that'd be confusing for a literal preschooler.

[Kristin Hamrock · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a bear who looks out of his window, sees a rainbow for the first time, and thinks that the sky is on fire. This might be good for very young children because the text is not challenging and the illustrations are very simple as well.

[Alana Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another cute Moonbear story where he thinks the sky is on fire. This would be interesting for children because they get to say why Moonbear's ideas don't work. This would be great to introduce a lesson on colors

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bear sees a rainbow and thinks the sky's on fire. Bird sees the rainbow and says there's a pot of gold at the end. Both head off on their own missions: to dowse the "fire" and find the gold. And somehow, both are successful! Good for preschool with some explanation about what rainbows are.

[Liz Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

So sweet. I love Moonbear. He saves the world by pouring water on a rainbow because he thinks that the sky is on fire. Great discussion afterwards about what a rainbow really is. It did leave me wondering why the rainbow disappeared.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was somewhat lackluster for me. It's a cute concept and idea that will likely spark some discussion while you are reading this to a child, but otherwise I didn't enjoy it very much. It is a light and easy read for ECE level readers.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another book about a silly bear who doesn't understand the world around him. Last time he tried to get rid of his shadow. Now he sees a rainbow and thinks the sky is on fire. Silly.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storytime read for Preschool crowd and while toddler's parents will actually get the ending, their toddlers may still enjoy the story.

[Shelly Koressel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute litte book for preschool about whats at the end of the rainbow. Preschool and Kindergarten.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bear sees rainbow and thinks sky is on fire.

[David Wylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We had so much fun reading this! I recommend it to read to toddlers for sure! Mine loved it so much!

[Rosi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The end is funny! My toddler loved the book.

[Benf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben chose this book to read one day because it has the Reading Rainbow symbol in the back. Awesome Mommy moment.

[Melinda Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little story about a rainbow that Bear thought was a sky fire. But wait until you see what is at the end of the rainbow!