The Rainbow Goblins

4.57 of 5 stars4.57 of 5 stars4.57 of 5 stars4.57 of 5 stars4.57 of 5 stars 4.57  ·  rating details  ·  320 ratings  ·  65 reviews
Since its first publication more than 15 years ago, the fantastic colors, amazing detail, and sweeping scope of The Rainbow Goblins have irresistibly invited tens of thousands of children to plunge their imaginations into its vivid world. This charming allegorical tale is once again available in a new edition. 18 color illustrations.
Hardcover, 1 pages
Published June 28th 1994 by Thames & Hudson (first published 1978)
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Chandra
Jan 20, 2009
Chandra rated it 4 of 5 stars
This is one of those books that I think is slightly lost on adults, but makes a HUGE impact on children. When I read through the reviews of this book I found that it's mostly people that remember this book fondly from their childhood. It stood out to them and they've never forgotten it. The reason for this is because the story and artwork is so different from any other kids book out there.

The general premise of the story is that 7 goblins (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indig ...more
Keli
Oct 23, 2008
Keli rated it 5 of 5 stars
Synopsis

Beautiful artwork accompanies this story of seven golbins in search of a delicious rainbow only to be outwitted by the flowers. Through this experience, the rainbow learns to never touch the earth again.

Review

First and foremost, the artwork in this book is stunning. It is a reproduction of Ul De Rico's original art which was oil paints on oak panels. The colorful and powerful art is so carfully rendered that the wood grain can be seen on the pages. ...more
Cindy
Feb 08, 2010
Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition
This astonishing book is filled with oil paintings on oak panels, which are reproduced about 2/3 of the original size. They are breathtaking.

I was pretty much obsessed with rainbows in the 70s, and I bought this incredibly beautiful book when it first came out - I read it a million times. The story tells of 7 evil goblins who capture rainbows and drink the colors. They learn of a valley where the rainbow is born, and they go there to gobble up the final, beautiful rainbow. They she ...more
Brynn
Feb 04, 2008
Brynn rated it 4 of 5 stars
Throughout the book, you may notice that Red and Orange have a very intimate gay relationship. There is also a large penis in the rocks in the beginning.
Jasmine
Dec 17, 2008
Jasmine rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: yay-kids-books
This book was written 8 years before I was born, and it was given to my mother by my father probably 2 years before I was born. I haven't looked at the message recently. I am actually on the verge of buying myself a copy of this book because I loved it so much as a child. The paintings are beautiful and at times a little trippy. It commonly feels like an Indian myth, I was interested in them at right about the same time in my life. The book is about Goblins who live from drinking the rainbow. Th ...more
Aidan
Nov 30, 2008
Aidan rated it 5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for: Everyone
This book is simply amazing. I went into the profession of Early Childhood Education and a co-worker had gone to a workshop and they had mentioned an activity with this book. It had always been a favourite of mine growing up. Always imagining what each colour of the rainbow would taste like, plus being memorized by the pictures. The illustrations are stunning, I would love to have a poster of some of the amazing pictures of this book. I just have not been able to find it.

The whole st ...more
Emily
Mar 24, 2008
Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars
Shelves: picture-books
Totally 70s trippy book. Old school Disney should have made a movie out of this one.
Martin
Apr 06, 2009
Martin rated it 4 of 5 stars
The text is lousy and the plot not much better, but the illustrations were really captivating as a young child, and my kids respond the same way. I think Count Ulderico has the same fascination with clouds that I do; wish I could indulge in the extended effort that this book at the least represents to try painting them.
Miriam
Apr 26, 2009
Miriam rated it 5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Miriam by: Akeisha
Shelves: picture
A girl in my class rbought this to show me because it was her favorite. I read it on the sly during chemistry class and thought it had the most beautiful illustrations. I was never able to find a copy of my own, and the author doesn't seem to have done much else, alas.
David
Apr 06, 2009
David rated it 5 of 5 stars
I grew up on this surreal work of art and fable. This book, and others like from that generation, entirely shaped how I perceive the world. To the day I break it out every few years and admire its pages. Hunt down the '78 publication, if able... It's worth the extra $$!
Renfrew
Feb 23, 2009
Renfrew rated it 3 of 5 stars
Shelves: picture-books
The color-saturated illustrations and end-papers are sure to make a lasting impression on any child fortunate enough to own a copy of this surreal book. The story does not hold up well for a read-aloud, but the striking pictures more than make up for that.
Valerie
Dec 30, 2008
Valerie rated it 1 of 5 stars
Ick I did not like this storybook. It was poorly written--it didn't even make sense. It was an excuse to paint pictures of rainbows and goblins but the text didn't live up to the paintings. The paintings were pretty neat, but the best one was on the cover.
Sarah
Jun 25, 2010
Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars
This has the most beauitful art. My understanding is that he worked on Neverending Story and all the amazing skies and what not from the film. It is just SUCH a beautiful book and the story is interesting too. It is one from my childhood that remains a favorite today.
Nancy Monson
Jan 27, 2009
Nancy Monson rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: children
This is a most beautiful children's book. I stumbled upon it at a interactive nature center in Scotland. It has the most beautiful illustrations I have seen in any book, children's or otherwise. The story is sweet, as well.
Kelly Shannon
Dec 16, 2008
Kelly Shannon rated it 4 of 5 stars
I loved this book as a kid and still love it as an adult. The colors and illustration are amazing...
Diana
Jan 03, 2009
Diana rated it 4 of 5 stars
Shelves: picture-books
I remember loving this book when I read it.

Mainly for the illustrations and all the colors.
Autumn O'Shea Swan
This one is grand. The pictures are beautiful. I could not get my dad to read it enough to me when I was little.
Angie
Nov 29, 2009
Angie rated it 5 of 5 stars
This was my favorite picture book as a child. It is so hard to find!
Meltha
Jul 17, 2009
Meltha rated it 4 of 5 stars
I remember LOVING this picture book when I was a kid.
Blair
Apr 15, 2009
Blair rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: picture-books
i loved this book as a kid. the illustration are great.
Elizabeth
Feb 12, 2009
Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars
The book that only my dad could read to me.
Chris
Jan 11, 2009
Chris rated it 5 of 5 stars
One of my favorite books as a kid
Kathryn
Dec 26, 2008
Kathryn marked it as to-read
Thanks, Angie! I will check it out.
erin
Feb 20, 2008
erin rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: nostalgia
My favorite kid's book ever, though this is really a book for anyone who loves art and dreaming and color and mysterious things like personified flowers and tricky little goblins in the night. Ul De Rico's paintings are breathtaking; I finally hunted this book down a few years ago after having it stick in memory from reading it as a kid at a family friend's house - this is a book you must own, so you can look at the pictures over and over again and let them color your own dreams when you go to s ...more
Toneriko
Oct 24, 2009
Toneriko rated it 5 of 5 stars
Absolutely amazing! I wish I could have read this as a child!
Holly Lindquist
Aug 21, 2009
Holly Lindquist rated it 5 of 5 stars
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Julie
May 18, 2008
Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars
This book (along with the A-Ha music video "Take On Me", hehe) was an enormous influence on my childhood dreams to be an artist. Weekly trips to the library were always ritualistically started with me running to the shelf that held The Rainbow Goblins. When viewing this book, one actually starts imagining the taste that each color must be - it's an amazing book, for kids and adults alike!
Allysha
Aug 23, 2007
Allysha rated it 5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for: anyone
my little sister's mom had this when I was a kid and I remember reading this and being blown away by the final pages of the book. I finally picked up my own copy at the SPL Friend's book sale a few years back and it was even better than I remembered. The illustrations are amazing and the story is a bit more complex than most picture books. keep your eyes peeled for goblin booty.
Samantha Penrose
May 03, 2008
Samantha Penrose rated it 4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Samantha by: my mommy
What amazing illustrations....
In this book you are introduced to a group of goblins who are after the mouth-watering colors of the rainbow! It is because of their schemeing that you will never find the begining or ending of a rainbow on the ground!
You will want to frame nearly every page of this book...the story is a little strange, but the illustrations are to die for!
Logan
Feb 05, 2008
Logan rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: childrens, not-owned
The most beautiful book that I have ever read, The Rainbow Goblins was essential bedtime reading for young Lolo from the tender age of 3 until such time as I managed to begin sneaking flashlights under the covers and reading until dawn. I still have my copy of this, as frayed and battered as it is, and still turn to it quite regularly.
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The Rainbow Goblins (Unknown Binding)
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