A Universe of Rainbows: Multicolored Poems for a Multicolored World

K-Gr 5–A delightful anthology of poems celebrating rainbows and the wondrous places they appear in nature. Organized by the source of the rainbow—water, living creatures, light, rock, and beyond—recognizable poets, including Janet Wong and Nikki Grimes, among others, offer their thoughts on the joy and beauty of rainbows. The poems vary in style, succinctly and quaintly highlighting the best features of the natural displays. Beside each poem is a brief overview of the science, history, or geography of the natural occurrence of the brilliant colors. Poems and notes are accessible, with a glossary of terms and additional resources at the end of the text. Each page could be a useful conversation starter for more in-depth discussions with young readers. As the backdrop, Cristoph’s illustrations dazzle. Vibrant and cheerful, the locations, insects, and flowers are an ideal complement to each poem. When people do appear in the illustrations, there is a diverse representation.