A Rainbow of Friends

by P.K. Hallinan

Celebrate your friends’ differences and what makes each child unique and special in this uplifting board book on friendship.
 
Through colorful illustrations and upbeat verse, P.K. Hallinan shows that when we embrace the uniqueness of others, our lives are enriched, and the world is a better place for all. Whether we’re funny or serious, musical or athletic, outgoing or quiet, we each make the world brighter.
 
This uplifting read helps young children celebrate one another and confidently navigate new friendships both at school and home.

Genres: Friendship, Picture Books, Childrens, Cultural, Nonfiction, Counselling

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

P.K. Hallinan is the author and illustrator of more than 80 children's books, with over 7,500,000 copies sold worldwide. P.K. first began writing and illustrating 35 years ago when his wife asked him to create a picture book as a Christmas gift for their two young sons.

Reviews

[Benjamin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 to 5 year olds? Why limit such an important message to just those children. All children can appreciate this book and the message that it spreads is so important that it should be repeatedly taught, felt and encouraged. Being inclusive is such an important part of life, and is something I have worked heavily on with my class in particular these past couple of months. Having read this book, and currently focusing on poetry, I will not hesitate to share it with my class. No matter what we look like, how we feel and act, we are all human. We need to respect and support one another, work together as a team and then, as the poem states, we've already won.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this to my first grade class who enjoyed it. They also were quick to understand the message that you can play with, or be friends with all kinds of people. No matter your skin colors, clothes, or personalities. The illustrations are colorful and cute. The text of the book has a basic rhythm and rhyme to it to make it interesting.

[Katalina Townsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends come in all colors and sizes; they can be funny or serious, musical or athletic, outgoing or quiet. This book reminds children to celebrate their differences because that is what makes each of us so special.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to my four year old class and was impressed with some of the messages. Most importantly I think they could understand some of the ideas generated by the story.

[Mary Alexandre · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a simple, well illustrated book for young children that includes children of different races, abilities, interests, and needs then look no further. A Rainbow of Friends by P.K. Hallinan is written with a rhyming format making it fun and easy to read as a group while the illustrations bring the words to life. Children with various skin color, wearing glasses, using a wheelchair, or choosing to have blue hair are just a few examples of the diverse nature of the characters included in the Hallinan's lesson of inclusion and acceptance. I would recommend this for elementary students to begin a discussion on our diverse world and how our differences and unique qualities make the world a more interesting and better place to live.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was a book that others helped me find while I was trying to match a piece of wall art to the story it was based off. We are not quite sure that this is the title, but if it is not it should be. I can see why this book has been republished multiple times. I think it is time to do it again. Give it a new cover using the original art and reprint it again please. This book is about all walks of people. How they are different no matter the reason, that that is okay. At the very end what is really important is that you put love out in the world. Me need more of this. Let’s spread love.

[Alazaih]

This book is perfect for children. It is a simple book that addressed the topics of diversity and differentiation. This characters within this book represent a mixture of children from different backgrounds. It allows the reader to connect by creating a broader spectrum of people within the book to connect with. A rainbow of friends does justice to the topic with its illustrations. The pictures represent difference and express the ability to get along with one another. Although not broadly stated it also addresses explicitly it allows all kinds of students with different back grounds to get along. It shows diversity within groups and could perhaps be a reflection of a real life class. the author did an excellent job at creating realistic, convincing characters. This book also uses language that is appropriate and well suited for young children to get the message.

[Moore, Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Rainbow of Friends is a fictional picture book targeting children ages 3 to 5. The story presents a realistic scenario about children of all walks of life; children of various ethnicity, appearances, abilities and disabilities and personalities. The story illustrates that children with disabilities and challenges still enjoy companionship & activities like non-disabled children. The story encourages children to view differences in one another as positive characteristics that makes each of us unique. This picture book promotes inclusion, friendships, parity and acceptance.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about diversity and allowing other people who may dress differently, look different or play different to be your friend and to let them play along with you. I think within reason all kids should try to be friends. Like in the story it said if they all work together then they already won. I would recommend this book to someone but as a book to pass the time or to read on your own. It can seem like a book that seems very repetitive after a while so it could be a book to read when you’re looking forward to something else. Also, children who are young might get bored of it. I would recommend this to teachers to have on their bookshelves in their classroom so they can let the young students can read it on their own time. I did enjoy this book since it was a first experience though.

[RLL22018 Danielle Razo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I think the author did an adequate job of trying to give minority groups representation. I was a bit disappointed that on every page was a child with a light complexion. Every other page featured a brown person and maybe two pages were dedicated to kids with disabilities. Despite the adequate representation of people of color, I did enjoy the message of the book. We are all different, but we are better together.

[Josefina Bustos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good conversation starter for embracing others' differences. It promotes prosocial behavior and suggests that one also notice others' differences as strengths. The differences could be clothes, hair color, or skin color. Conversations about other's culture could also be invited using this book.

[Jiya Felder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This genre would be poetry. It has nice rhythm and flow with very nice pictures. they do not focus on any race in particular more so who people are. A Rainbow of Friends is literally referring to everyone, we can all be friends no matter our abilities, our skin color, our place of origin. this is very appropriate for children to read and hear because we all need to learn to accept each other regardless of our need to categorize people and keep them in this contained image. It's very well written and doesn't focus on the inabilities of others or the awkwardness of being different.

[Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to read when talking about diversity! The story is easy to follow and the text has a musical quality to it. The pictures are just as fantastic as the text! Each one has a variety of characters that portray different cultures, nationalities, and abilities.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great rhyming book that talks about a rainbow of friends and what that might look like. Despite everyone's differences, there is always some way to connect with them. No matter what they wear or their interests, we should always be kind and caring.

Trait: Ideas
ATOS: 3.1
AD540L

[olivia toko · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Rainbow of Friends is a great book that celebrates children’s unique qualities. The book is vividly colored and simple for a child to understand. The book encourages children to appreciate their differences. A Rainbow of Friends encourages children to be proud that no one of them is alike.

[Ryann Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like I have said before on multiple of the other books on showing the differences that students have from their peers. This is a great book to show the students to be proud that none of them are alike. They all are speical in their own ways.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, diverse story about friends. Really recommend for any child.

[Annburnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about having lots of friends!

[Ossy Firstan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Love the message and illustrations too

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book that teaches about race and diversity. The pictures that go along with it are nice as well. The idea to get across is that everyone is different and you can be friends with anyone.

[Carly MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book about friendships, love and peoples differences!

[karen vega puga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book bring lot of diversity in friendship and classroom. Shows how we are all equal and just different color. This bring a big statement that we are all loves and friends.

[Natalie Ransom · Rating 5 out of 5]

3.1 ATOS
459 L

A rainbow of friends is a book about friends and how they can come together despite their differences. This is a great cultural book to add to your library if you are looking for something new and encouraging.

[Alyson Looney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very educational book, well made and suitable for children. I personally really loved this book. Good for little ones to learn about friendship and differences between people. I enjoyed this book immensely because it covers a wide spectrum of disabilities.

[Kelsey Vayens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children's fiction book discusses the topic of friendship and diversity. The author/illustrator, P.K. Hallinan, provides a story that encourages harmony from all different types of people. Friends are different in many different ways, and being different should be celebrated because it is what makes us special and unique. (ex. "all friends are special and add in some way to the richness of life-how we think, what we say", "each friend is given a share of our hearts, so no one feels different, unloved, or apart") The author shows that when we celebrate our differences and accept others as friends, we can make the world a better place. (ex. The world is a family whose happiness depends on a circle of caring.")

As a teacher, this book can be used to teach about diversity. This book can show students that it doesn't matter what differences you may have with a friend. You are all unique, and each others' differences can add an important thing to our lives. This book can also teach about rhyme because the book consists of rhymes throughout the book. (ex. " So reach out with love to the people you meet, and offer a smile to all those you greet.") The illustrations also add to the lesson as well by reinforcing the message of diversity and harmony.

The author can relate to this book along with everyone else in the world because this book isn't strictly limited to a particular group. This book is about diverse friendships and how important it is to accept those who may not be the same as us.

[Amanda Boschee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Rainbow of Friends by P.K Hallinan is a story that embraces everyones differences. This picture book brings together everyones differences wether they are appearances, talents, or hobbies. This story encourages and shares the many benefits that comes from being different than one another and how we as a society accomplish the most when we bring together and work with all our differences.

This book uses a lot of colors and pictures that cover the whole page. It has drawings of children with all sorts of differences like race, talents, disabilities. It shows pictures of kids from china, kids in wheelchairs, and kids that are football stars. The pictures help children because it not only talks about differences but it shows them as well because kids can see that there are so many and that it is a good thing to be diverse. This book is perfect for any adult who is teaching a child the importance and benefits of accepting everyone even if they are different than you.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is powerful because of its simplicity. I can not give this book enough praise! Since our family discovered this gem a few years ago, P.K. Hallinan (who does his own illustrations) has become one of our favorites.

The subtitle on earlier editions was "A Book to Celebrate Diversity". Hallinan subtly covers many aspects of diversity through his rhyming words and colorful illustrations. This book is not preachy nor is it cheesy. I like that the book does not just focus on ethnicity, disability and differences. A Rainbow of Friends touches on views, interests, dress, strengths and weaknesses; it emphasizes acceptance, understanding, friendship and working together!

A great book for all ages! Our family has donated copies of this book to the school library, given copies to each student in my son's class at school and distributed the book at community events.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends come in all different colors and sizes. The friends that people find have many different traits and qualities about them and we are to welcome people who are different than us with open arms. Remember people's feelings and think about what you say because anything hurtful can get in the way.

This book teaches children and reinforces the idea that you need to treat people the same way you would want to be treated. Teaching students to accept peers of different race, religion, and ability is the only way the world could become a better place. Students needs to learn to embrace differences and learn from them.

Books that connect to the text: It's Okay to be Different by Todd Parr and Ballerino Nate by Kimberly Bradley

"But all friends are special and add in some way to the richness of life- how we think, what they say"

[Jess Standiford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great to read at the beginning of the school year to promote community and create a caring classroom environment. It highlights differences among us and has a really nice metaphor. The title, "A Rainbow of Friends", refers to the fact that we are all different and unique (like the different colors of a rainbow), and the classroom (or rainbow as a metaphor) would not be complete without each and every child, just like the rainbow would not be complete without each color. It promotes a really nice message and my kindergarten students could interpret the metaphor to understand the message.

[Ann Ferber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cool thing about this book is that it has pictures of kids that look different from one another. However, the text talks about differences such as "funny or serious," and "outgoing or quiet." The writer purposely had the differences be about who we are as people on the inside and not even mentioning what we look like on the outside. This is a great book, because kids can learn that yes we are all different but we also are so similar. This would be a great book to read when you were teaching about respecting and loving one another.