Multicultural Children’s Book Day: Review of Princess Rosie’s Rainbows

This month I’ve been honored to be one of the book reviewers for Multicultural Children’s Book Day.   The MCCBD team’s mission is to spread the word and raise awareness about the importance of diversity in children’s literature. All young readers need to see themselves within the pages of a book and experience other cultures, languages, traditions and religions within the pages of a book.

One of the two books we were graciously given to check out for MCCBD was Princess Rosie’s Rainbows.  My princess-loving little girl and her brother both loved this book.

Princess Rosie’s Rainbows — Book Summary:

As a princess, Princess Rosie could have anything she wanted, but toys and and games didn’t mean anything to her.  Princess Rosie was only truly happy when there was a rainbow.  Her parents try everything they can to give her a rainbow that won’t disappear.  People from all over bring a variety of rainbows, but none make Princess Rosie happy.  Then a wise woman from a faraway village comes and teaches Rosie that rainbows are always with her in her heart, just as everything we truly love stays with us.

What we loved about Princess Rosie’s Rainbows:

Beautiful Illustrations — To say Kim Jacobs’ illustrations are beautiful would be an understatement.   They are gorgeous!  The pictures are full of detail and fill the entire page.  They are guaranteed to pull you into the story.

Global Awareness — The images used in the story reflect a variety of cultures.

Relatable Story Line — Princess Rosie’s problem is something that even adults can struggle with.  It may not be the desire to always see rainbows, but society often leads us to believe that it is by having things we will be happy.

Powerful Lesson — The story teaches children that physical possessions aren’t what bring us happiness.  When Princess Rosie learns that she can be happy because she holds the rainbows in her heart, the reader discovers true happiness comes from within.

Book Activity for Princess Rosie’s Rainbows:

There is a simple activity at the end of the book where you and your child can create your very own rainbow, just like the Royal Astronomer did for Rosie.  This is such a fun science activity to do on a sunny day!

After reading the story, and trying the included science activity, we created our own rainbow.  Keeping the wise words of Becca in mind, that what she loved was always in Rosie’s heart, we decided to craft a rainbow of hearts.

For complete directions for this activity for Princess Rosie’s Rainbows, check out our Rainbow Heart Garland post.