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457th out of 2,174 books
—
6,622 voters
The Rainbow Goblins
by
Ul De Rico
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, 32 pages
Published
June 17th 1978
by Thames & Hudson
(first published January 1st 1978)
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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, indigo, and violet) l...more
The general premise of the story is that 7 goblins (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet) l...more
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.
The lyrical narrative matches the panor...more
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.
The lyrical narrative matches the panor...more
I wonder if this book would have made more of an impact on me if I was younger, because as a pseudo-adult I found it not all that charming, and certainly not all that allegorical (as per the description), unless symbolically it was supposed to be an explanation for why you shouldn't do copious amounts of hallucinogenic drugs and then write a book for children. In fact, if anything, I thought it was pretty darn grim for its target audience--the goblins are not just washed away in a sea of colors,...more
Feb 13, 2010
Cindy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
art-photography,
picture-books
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 shelter in a cav...more
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 shelter in a cav...more
The Rainbow Goblins is a tale of seven goblins, each named after a color of the rainbow, who lasso rainbows and each drink their prescribed color in order to survive. However, their evil plan to have the ultimate feast from the spot where the rainbow originates in the Valley of the Rainbow is thwarted by the flowers of the valley, and the goblins meet their demise. The flowers are then transformed into beautiful birds by the grateful rainbow, who grows more cautious after this close call and mak...more
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.
The story itself is like a long-ago fairy tale. Seven goblins steal tasty, tasty rainbows from the sky to eat for dinner, and they've just set upon the valley that births rainbows, intent on eating the juiciest of all. But the roots of all the plants overhear them, and when the goblins try to steal the rainbow, the flowers all put a plan in motion to stop them...
The illustrations alone are worth owning the book for. They will floor you. They are beyond intricate, with depth and beauty. They look...more
The illustrations alone are worth owning the book for. They will floor you. They are beyond intricate, with depth and beauty. They look...more
Totally 70s trippy book. Old school Disney should have made a movie out of this one.
Wow this book is listed! I don't know how we got a copy, who gave it to my husband, but I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I discovered it's magic when Jake was very young, and for some reason I've been thinking of it lately, haven't seen it for 10 years ago. I hope I still have it and didn't give it away in some mad frenzy of clean up! THis is a book to sit quietly and slowly contemplate unique and richly saturated art work. There's a story there too, rather grim like Grimm, and it all i...more
May 26, 2011
Anna
added it
This is a beautifully illustrated and slightly creepy children's book. I loved it when I was young and still love it now. It has that nice balance of fantasy and "horror" (but not really) that scares kids in a good way. And illustrations are amazing. I remember learning that the author/ illustrator was in some way involved in production of the film of The Never-ending Story, which is also creepy in a good way.
My favorite book as a child and to this day, I read it and get chills down my spine. Turns out, Ul De Rico contributed to the look of the Neverending Story (1984 movie, not book) in major ways. This makes complete sense to why I'm so drawn to it while many friends of mine are scared to death; I grew up on his style. Highly recommended.
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.
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.
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 $$!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Apr 19, 2012
Kim
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to Kim by:
Ran across it in a cute little bookstore but can't remember where.
This is a wonderful book. We loved reading it to the boys when they were little. We now are keeping them to pass down or hang on to them for when the grandchildren visit :)
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
Loved the book. Most stories these days leave out good versus bad. I love how this book defines both clearly, fun to read with your kids.
Neat fable, absolutely gorgeous paintings. I want some of them as posters, or at least I would have when I was younger. A bit trippy.
A beautiful book with incredible paintings. Did you know this author did the major set design for the movie The NeverEnding Story?
This is my most favorite book of all time. It has magic on its pages and it saved me when I was a child. Amazing artwork
i dare you to read this book and not attempt to swim in the paintings on every page. I DARE YOU. IT CANNOT BE DONE.
I bought this book as an adult because the art work is so stunning. The story is always very cute and clever.
I loved this book as a kid and still love it as an adult. The colors and illustration are amazing...
I love this book, my childhood copy is falling apart. Absolutely gorgeous illustrations!
This was one of my favorite books as a child... I need to find another copy for myself.
I remember loving this book when I read it.
Mainly for the illustrations and all the colors.
Mainly for the illustrations and all the colors.
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aka Ulderico Gropplero di Troppenburg
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I didn't read this as a child. My first (and only) encounter with it was in 10th grade, when...more
Jun 20, 2011 07:49am
Jun 20, 2011 09:02am