UNDER ONE RAINBOW

Three young Black friends mingle amid the crowd, “our hearts…full of love / as we move to the beats / pumping into the air.” Rainbow flags swirl around the protagonists, sending a message of love and inclusivity. Suddenly, rain clouds appear, drenching the participants and shifting the palette to hues of blacks and grays. The bright colors never entirely disappear, however, as people shelter under umbrellas while standing side by side. Eventually, the clouds depart, a rainbow emerges, and the celebration continues, ultimately stronger for having weathered the storm. Salinas’ bold, bright, mural-like illustrations command attention. They’ll easily be seen from across a crowded storytime or classroom, though they brim with details for observant readers to pick out; each scene seems to tell its own story. Laden with delightful alliteration, Ayala-Kronos’ clear, concise text (“we marvel at our magnificent / community,” “flamboyant floats”) begs to be read aloud. Messages of love, support, and resilience are effortlessly woven through, and readers—adults and children alike—will easily make connections between the book and their own lives. Characters are diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, and ability.

May 13, 2025 - 05:22

Three young Black friends mingle amid the crowd, “our hearts…full of love / as we move to the beats / pumping into the air.” Rainbow flags swirl around the protagonists, sending a message of love and inclusivity. Suddenly, rain clouds appear, drenching the participants and shifting the palette to hues of blacks and grays. The bright colors never entirely disappear, however, as people shelter under umbrellas while standing side by side. Eventually, the clouds depart, a rainbow emerges, and the celebration continues, ultimately stronger for having weathered the storm. Salinas’ bold, bright, mural-like illustrations command attention. They’ll easily be seen from across a crowded storytime or classroom, though they brim with details for observant readers to pick out; each scene seems to tell its own story. Laden with delightful alliteration, Ayala-Kronos’ clear, concise text (“we marvel at our magnificent / community,” “flamboyant floats”) begs to be read aloud. Messages of love, support, and resilience are effortlessly woven through, and readers—adults and children alike—will easily make connections between the book and their own lives. Characters are diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, and ability.