Share Your Rainbow: 18 Artists Draw Their Hope for the Future

by R.J. Palacio (Introduction), Various

When the storm subsides and the sun comes out, don't forget to look for the rainbow!

Inspired by kids across the country displaying rainbows in their windows, acclaimed illustrators come together to imagine everything these rainbows represent: caring for one another, and our hopes for the future. In this collection of eighteen scenes, readers will lick an ice cream cone, swim in the ocean, cuddle close with cousins, and celebrate a birthday with a party full of friends and family. Each spread has a hidden rainbow for kids to find!

An introduction by R. J. Palacio, New York Times bestselling author of Wonder, reminds us that rainbows have always been symbols of hope, and that as fleeting as a rainbow may seem, we can always look for the next one--in the sky, on the sidewalk, and in a window.

100% of net proceeds from the sale of this book will go to World Central Kitchen, using the power of food to help our communities weather this storm.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Family, Contemporary

40 pages, Paperback

First published August 11, 2020

About the author

R.J. Palacio lives in NYC with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. For more than twenty years, she was an art director and graphic designer, designing book jackets for other people while waiting for the perfect time in her life to start writing her own novel. But one day several years ago, a chance encounter with an extraordinary child in front of an ice cream store made R. J. realize that the perfect time to write that novel had finally come. Wonder is her first novel. She did not design the cover, but she sure does love it.

Raquel J. Palacio / R. J. Palacio is a pseudonym of: Raquel Jaramillo

Reviews

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love that a portion of the proceeds go to World Central Kitchen - an organization doing really amazing work. However, maybe because I'm reading this now after things have opened up so much again, I just don't quite feel the pull of it as much. I can see using this as inspiration for a classroom activity to have students illustrate and write their own "rainbows", but as a read aloud collection, it just loses the flow and feels like it ends abruptly.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several children's illustrators tackle the theme of hope, helping us to find something to look forward to.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Jen Kohel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Title: Share your Rainbow
Author/Illustrator: Variety of Authors/Illustrators (18 different)
Reading Level: 2.0
Book Level: K-3
Book Summary: Illustrators across the world have come together to imagine everything that rainbows represent. Readers will imagine themselves licking an ice cream cone, swimming in the ocean, and celebrating a birthday by having a big party. Each page spread will have a hidden rainbow for the reader to find.
Bookshelf Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits:
Ideas: This book is written with ideas that children have about the future. Rainbows share the beauty of the world after a storm. I think this book is perfect for a time right now~ deep in a pandemic. This story takes on many ideas that we have about life after a pandemic: roller skating, ice cream dates, birthday parties. This would be a great book to use with students right now and have them write about their wish in the future

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book will not age well. The idea, as introduced by R.J. Palacio, is that rainbows are seen in Greek mythology as bridges from earth to the heavens, and therefore symbols of hope. Multiple children’s authors gave a brief statement of what their “rainbow” would be and illustrated a picture to go with the statement, including some small rainbow, perhaps in a shirt or a dog’s sweater. However, outside of the context of 2020 or any other regional shutdown since then, this book feels disjointed. Why, outside of 2020, is it a “rainbow” to swim, or get a hug from a parent wearing medical scrubs? Perhaps this book could be helpful for a child who must be isolated for medical reasons, such as in a chemotherapy waiting room. Otherwise, this book is a confusing, visually jolting collection of random good feelings that, without the context of 2020, leave you thinking, “I feel like I’m missing something? Why don’t you just go do what you’re talking about?”

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely collection of thoughts and arts from some of today's brightest talents.

R.J. Palacio provides an introduction to this book of what a rainbow has meant in history and what it means to her today. Eighteen diverse illustrators show and tell what makes up their hope for the future, framed as a "rainbow". Well-known illustrators are included with lesser-known, yet accomplished illustrators, including Vashti Harrison, Mollt Idle, Sarah Jacoby, Oge Mora, Adam Rex, Dan Santat,Laura Vaccaro Seeger, Bob Shea, Lane Smith, Divya Srinivasan, and Elise Parsley.

All net proceeds will go to World Central Kitchen.

A lovely collection of thoughts and visions that are sure to stir the heart.

Highly Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's difficult to imagine any art project more fun this fall than to get this book, read and enjoy it, then create your own rainbow wish! Eighteen artists have shared their own and I noticed quite a few wishing for activities with friends! With the virus restrictions and the hope to stay safe and well, it means very little or no time with a group. Brian Biggs writes "My rainbow is playing ball with everyone." He shows a group of very happy children, and a ball! Laura Vaccaro Seeger writes "We will hold hands as we walk and talk and listen and be . . . together." She created a collage of whirling colors and many hands. I didn't choose favorites but only samples. Each one will make you smile.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel a little bit monstrous for giving this a lower rating. Although I understand and applaud the assignment, the end product lacked any kind of cohesion. I don't mean that in the sense that the illustrations are all very different (that's the point, after all) I just think that the whole "share your rainbow" assignment wasn't fully realized in the text. some pages absolutely say "my rainbow is..." others just talk about things randomly, others feel like didn't even know that the assignment was "share your rainbow" I'm just confused. I think this needed an editor to wrangle all these illustrators and to give them a clear-cut assignment so that they could tell a true and clear narrative! This didn't have that, and it suffered for it.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know who needed this picture book? We did. And our students do. And our colleagues do.

And you do.

100% of net proceeds go to World Central Kitchen and 100% of these creators are absolutely phenomenal.

Brian Biggs - Cátia Chien - Vashti Harrison - Molly Idle - Sarah Jacoby - Claire Keane - Corinna Luyken - Magdalena Mora - Oge Mora - Elise Parsley - Jerome Pumphrey & Jarrett Pumphrey - Adam Rex - Isabel Roxas - Dan Santat - Laura Vaccaro Seeger - Bob Shea - Lane Smith - Divya Srinivasan - Shannon Wright - RJ Palacio

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I look forward to some sleepy Saturday when every boring thing feels extraordinary.”

When we have come through the other side of this difficult time, what “rainbow” will be waiting on the other side for you? Is it “crowded laps?” Is it time with friends? Is it ice cream at the beach with friends? Or is it “seeing the world through a new lens, imagining a universe of possibilities”?

I love this book! Each of the 18 pages beautifully illustrated by a different illustrator, it brings our focus back to hope for the future and a return to better things.

[Ellee Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copyright date: 2020
Star rating: 4
Award: N/A
Genre: picture book
Summary w/ themes: This book is about all the different ways we feel love and are seen. This book has a theme of emotions and feelings.
Use for future classroom: This would be a good book to read for my class to discuss what brings them joy, SEL activity or SEAL activity.
Thoughts of book: I thought this was a cute book, but it was a little shorter than I would have liked.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

18 artists depict their hopes for the futures, specifically in response to Corona Times. The variety of illustrations and reflections of hope make this a beautiful book for connecting with children. Hopes range from caring for the earth, spending time with family and friends, and appreciating relationships with others.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t realize just how much I needed this book. It’s a collection of wonderful wishes for when this pandemic is over. Take the time to savor each page, each word, each work of art. My rainbow is to share this book with all the little people in my life, all of us together in a big, hugging pile. 💕

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
In a year where the rainbow has gone from being something lovely within my family raising kids, to the small nods everywhere in the world as a reminder of connection - especially poignant for me and a lost childhood nod too

🌈 “I can’t wait to ride a rainbow” 🌈

[Amanda Batarseh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very hope giving. its about 18 different artist drawing there hope for the future after covid. each page is a different artist and what they are hopeful for in the future. some say just sitting down next to people and others say going out and doing a particular activity. very good and cute book !

[Erin]

A collection of rainbows: things we look forward to, things we value as precious moments to appreciate, ways that we look at the world when we see beauty and love.

Not a story, but a series of dreams and colorfully shining artwork. Would be an ideal inspiration for kids to create rainbow pictures of their own.

[Robbi C · Rating 5 out of 5]

We really enjoyed matching up the illustrators to the pages they illustrated! Beautiful concept for a book and love that you can add to it on social media, as well, allowing your own kiddos to creat their own part of the story. ❤️ 🌈

[Colleen]

This is a good read! Could really be used to demonstrate how everyone's rainbow looks different. Also includes the pandemic of 2020 and on - hopes for the future of returning to friends and such. Could do many activities with this.

[Sarahs Reads ToKids]

Do you enjoy pictures books for the illustrations more than the story? Are you looking for a new illustrator and their work? Picking up this book benefits a worthy cause and will help you find your new favorite illustrator.

[Valleri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the sentiment behind this book, but the concept did not come through as a cohesive piece. Some illustrations were more beautiful than others. Some 'stories' made more sense than the rest. Overall, it was okay.

[Amy Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the storm subsides and the sun comes out...
This is an excellent book for our times.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just lovely - hopes and dreams for a safe future. Highly recommended.

Q2020 book.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was gorgeous. Like a love letter to all of us, right now, in 2020 and one that we needed. We all need this book. And it's for a good cause. So just go get it.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids share their rainbows or the happy moments they want to share with others when COVID regulations are done.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of top illustrators share their hope through the image of a rainbow. The book resonates with all that people have missed due to the Coronavirus pandemic and brings a hopeful note.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh 2020.

May we get to the end of the rainbow in 2021. 2022? Please by 2023.

[Rachel Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the multiple contributors and change in art styles throughout.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that every spread was done by a different artist.

[Sarah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Text is very nice but the extra star is for the amazing illustrations!