Planting a Rainbow

by: Lois Ehlert

Published by: Red Wagon Books

Reviewed by Jamie Driggers

“Every year Mom and I plant a rainbow.” Thus begins this wonderful children’s classic, Planting a Rainbow.

With its vibrant, full-page, cut paper (or the look of) illustrations, author Lois Ehlert demonstrates in simple text the flower gardening process. The magic of this book is in the illustrations. Though they are simple, the different bulbs, seeds, seedlings, sprouts and plants are highly recognizable. It is as if she was able to zero in on the one defining characteristic of the various living things and put that to page.

My four-year-old son loves the format of this lap-sized board book. It is sturdy enough for even him to haul around and suffer his abuse and big enough to be like the big kid books that don’t fare so well under his watch. He loves the color and the varying sized pages.

Mom is most enamored with the teaching nature of the illustrations. I love how each plant is identifiable and labeled on every page. I appreciate the teaching of seasons and the time various gardening activities take place. As it is currently February and dreary, I’m also appreciative of the hope and color of spring when my own bulbs will sprout and I can dig in the dirt to plant my seedlings.

I think it was a great decision to reprint this book in the lap-sized board book version and I know my family will enjoy it for years to come.

Armchair Interviews says: Good read for the little ones–and Moms, too.