Rainbow Rhino

by Peter Sís

A delightfully original fairy tale, Rainbow Rhino recounts the adventures of a rhinoceros and his three colorful avian companions. They lead a peaceful existence until they wander out of their territory, where new sights lure each bird away from his friends. Each finds that his own paradise contains dangers, and ultimately returns to the group. Illustrated in full color.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

355 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

PETER SÍS is an internationally acclaimed illustrator, filmmaker, painter and author. Born in 1949 in Brno, Czechoslovakia, and grew up in Prague. He studied painting and filmmaking at the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague and the Royal College of Art in London. His animated work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. He came to America in 1982, and now lives in New York's Hudson Valley with his family. Peter Sís is the first children's book artist to be named a MacArthur Fellow. In 2012 he won The Hans Christian Andersen Award.

His many distinguished books include Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei, Tibet: Through the Red Box, Madlenka, Rainbow Rhino, The Tree of Life: Charles Darwin, The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain, and The Conference of the Birds.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual story of a white rhino with his 3 friends - birds, one blue, red and yellow. They loved to roam the planes and enjoy the day. The colors are lovely and there is something so interesting seeing a rhino with 3 birds on top of it. It works somehow. One day they walk farther than ever and they see new things. Each bird leaves until it’s just the rhino and bees chase him and the birds are in danger as well and they get back together and go back to their life.

The colors are beautiful in this book. There is something special about the story. It’s simple, but it completely touches something deep in me. I really do love it.

The nephew did think it was interesting. He liked that rhino. He said this was just different. He gave this a 4 star rating. He thought that yellow snake was creepy.

[Ashley Fricker · Rating 5 out of 5]

really fun story about friendship. also emphasis on colors and numbers. good for primary grades

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to my students as we talked about colors and problems/solutions. We all loved the illustrations.

[Anthony Pate]

This book is a very interesting book that focuses on colors and friendship. It can be used to help students learn about the 3 primary colors.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Sis has provided readers with a cute story of a plain looking rhino and his colorful avian friends. His friends are finding new homes. Will he lose them forever? Find out!

[Oxalis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this to be an interesting kids book. The rhino goes out of his comfort zone to explore only to be scared and return home to where it's safe? I'll have to ponder this one for a while...

[Frances Peek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This realistically illustrated short story about a rhino and his friends adventures teaches way more than colors. Rhino and his friends learn about being happy with who you are and that there is no place like home in this beautiful tale. Very fun to read out loud!

[Deena B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated

[Frances]

Great tale of venturing out of your comfort zone but at the end of the day theres no place like home. Beautiful illustrations and creative characters.