From Rain to Rainbows by Unnamed Various Authors

by Chronicle Books

This sweet and modern little gift book proves that after the rain always comes the rainbow. A treasure trove of delightful work by beloved indie art stars and emerging talents, this cheering collection echoes the uplifting transformation of rain into the book begins with raindrops and umbrellas, transitions midway through, and concludes with a glorious bouquet of colorful rainbows. Perfect for bringing smiles to anyone who needs a little pick-me-up, this petite book of feel-good art is a reminder to appreciate the dark with the light, because nothing stays the same forever—and things are about to look a whole lot brighter.

Genres: Art

Hardcover

First published March 31, 2015

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

According to University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Professor of Atmospheric Sciences Steve Businger, Hawaiʻi is the rainbow capital of the world, with its unique mix of weather characteristics. Even with their frequency, I always marvel at seeing rainbows in the sky. Their beauty and impermanence make them precious. The lovely, varied pieces in this book capture the transition from rain to rainbows, and remind us that all things—both good and bad—pass with time.

[Charlynnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chanced upon this book at the library and was captivated by the author's portrayal of rain and rainbows. Literally a picture book (not for children), I loved some of her drawings and illustrations; moody, cheerful, heartwarming. No words needed, the pictures are sufficient.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely collection is spot on, it’s essentially a published Pinterest board, but it’s what I was craving and had a lovely, uplifting intro.

[Am Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small coffee table book of art to do with rain and rainbows. There's a variety of media: illustrations, paintings, photography, etc. A lot of the images tend to be similar in terms of art style (e.g. characters drawn by the same artist, spirals, lined patterns, etc) or else theme (e.g. unicorns). Would have preferred there to be more variation and a greater degree of differentiation between the works. Would make a very pleasant gift though, and is definitely an uplifting book to have around.

[Fairy Biba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly I wasn't sure if to give even just 2 stars, but I give 3 just cause I like the concept and to be reminded of looking at the cover.. but for the rest the quality of the choosen pics is not a big deal, most of them could have been done by a kid or anyway have nothing extraordinary, sorry to say it

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet and delightful book. Different artists interpret rain and rainbows in their own individual way with art. Really enjoyed it.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's what they don't say so much: That both rain and rainbows can make you happy if you let them. That to cheer yourself up, sometimes all you need to do is get out of yourself for a moment. Not chastise yourself for your poor attitude, but simply give yourself -- or let someone else give you -- a gentle little nudge in the direction of gladness.

Is the first half of this book -- full of rain and rainclouds and puddles and gray skies -- sad, and the second half -- full of sunbeams and rainbows and unicorns -- happy? Come on, is anything that simple? No. Maybe you are a person who loves the rain; maybe you jumped in puddles as a kid and sneaked out to dance in downpours as a teenager. Or maybe you see things a bit more classically; maybe to you, dark weather does suggest sorrow, and a rainbow our hope of relief from sorrow.

It doesn't matter. Whatever your personal associations with these images, this book is saying the same basic two things to you.

One: Nothing stays the same forever. Life is a progression. There are good parts and bad parts, dreamy parts and bad parts, dreamy parts and silly parts, tragedies and healing, crummy days and fabulous days, rain and rainbows. Whatever is hurting us will someday come to an end. And that is a solace. But you know what? Whatever is making us gleeful will also someday come to an end. And that's a consolation of a different kind -- the kind that reminds you to perk up and pay attention, to cherish both the sound of the rain on the roof and the arc of color in the sky that catches you utterly by surprise, because both will be gone before you know it.

And, two: When someone creates something, that creation is a gift. The artist whose work is featuerd in this book have made these images as gifts for you, whether they knew that's what they were doing or not. It's a common misconception that art has to be hard -- that the more people a work of art confuses or shuts out, the better it is. We say: Let the artist bring gladness to the viewer if that's what the artist wants to do. The viewer just has to be ready to receive the gift.

Both the fruits of human creativity and the wonders of nature have this in common: we possess the astonishing ability to take them in through our senses and let them nourish our souls. Art can be the nudge we need to move away from the endless circling of our own thoughts, to move toward an outlook that's just a little bit brighter.

To move from rain to rainbows.

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another little book that celebrates life's good and bad moments and how sometimes things can be both. Mostly illustrations.