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Rainbow Garden
When Elaine leaves her home in London to stay with the Owen family in Wales, she feels miserable and left out. It's only the little secret garden that she finds at the end of the rainbow that makes staying there seem worthwhile. And then something happens that changes everything.
From Patricia St. John—nurse, missionary, relief worker, and writer of many books for children.
From Patricia St. John—nurse, missionary, relief worker, and writer of many books for children.
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
21 people are currently reading
711 people want to read
About the author
Patricia St. John
96 books246 followersPatricia Mary St. John spent 27 years as a dedicated missionary to North Africa - and was also a prolific children's writer. Her books are loved and treasured around the world; some have been turned into stirring films. Gripping adventures which cover real life issues are her hallmark.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 24, 2008
I LOVED this book. Fantastic book for all ages. Very old, and hard to find however. I expect to re-read it soon. Its been awhile
November 30, 2018
For some reason, this book reminds me of Christian version of The Secret Garden. Recommend for 5+ and up.
August 21, 2020
I would have really loved this pious little book when I was little and felt quite self-righteous about reading it. There's sort of a story in a blandly wholesome sort of a way but it gets interrupted all the time by overt preaching. It's basically a book that aims to evangelise and while the Christianity portrayed in the book is idealistic and seems good in theory I have seen the sort of hatred that "Christians" of this ilk actually bring and I like my Christianity a bit more self-reflective (not just "I belong to Him and must be Good" but holding back from judging).
Some aspects of it were still kind of nice but the idea of a little emotionally neglected kid having to give up everything to try to evangelise her mother seemed not quite right. Also the gender roles in the book (covertly depicted) made me vomit. All the pious, learning humility people in the book are women. Men's faith is portrayed in less intimacy and more as leadership. It has not dated well from the 60s at any rate.
Some aspects of it were still kind of nice but the idea of a little emotionally neglected kid having to give up everything to try to evangelise her mother seemed not quite right. Also the gender roles in the book (covertly depicted) made me vomit. All the pious, learning humility people in the book are women. Men's faith is portrayed in less intimacy and more as leadership. It has not dated well from the 60s at any rate.
November 27, 2025
One of the best uses for the internet is finding the barely remembered books and movies of my childhood. I had almost convinced myself that I was misremembering the plot of The Secret Garden.
Turns out, they're two separate books. Who knew?
Turns out, they're two separate books. Who knew?
July 19, 2025
This story follows a girl, Elaine Nelson, from her home with her mother in London to a Welsh family in the countryside that agrees to take her in while her single mom travels.
I am working on a reading project of a set of six Patricia St. John Books I purchased in the Moody Publisher’s ebook format. The sales blurb states these stories have been updated for the contemporary reader, an edit which some St. John fans dislike. Here is the link to the series:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
In the fall of 2022, I began reading it aloud to my beloved mother, during her latest battle with cancer. We were thoroughly enjoying the narrative, but eager to read MORE! than our time together in the midst of medical transitions allowed. The solution was to buy her a Kindle so she can fly away reading when her body needs to rest. She promptly finished the book – getting far ahead of me! It looks like I will chase her through the remainder of the stories; May her strength endure!
Rainbow Garden is a charming escape that nonetheless wades through some deep water. Elaine struggles with the environment, the family members, elusive emotional equanimity, and spiritual confusion that wades into despair. The key for Elaine is found in her contemplation of Psalm 16:11a “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy” KJV. The Owen’s family is patient, loving, and also in transformation, working through their own trials and challenges associated with growing up and living in a fallen world. The story moves through beautiful scenery, from the quaint valley of the farm, to the lowland beaches of Wales, to the majestic mountain peaks of Snowdonia.
For a view into the landscape of the story, see
https://www.visitwales.com/destinatio...
Rainbow Garden also explores various layers of spiritual formation and the transformative power of a relationship with Jesus Christ in the hearts and lives of the young. I am in awe of St. John’s gentle exploration of spiritual life. As a writer, St. John is patient as she completely avoids the sermonizing that often colors fictional examination of commitment to Christ. Instead, St. John gives her characters time to work out their spiritual life alongside life events, which gives her stories multilayered depth. I am thoroughly enjoying this project of reading through the St. John series I purchased for Kindle. I find myself increasingly grateful for the recommendation to read St. John, and I pass that recommendation on to you.
I’ll review each title as I go and the entire set when completed. If you would like to follow along from the beginning, the first story is:
Star of Light, Patricia St. John, 1953
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The next story in the series is:
Treasures of the Snow, St. John, 1950
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am working on a reading project of a set of six Patricia St. John Books I purchased in the Moody Publisher’s ebook format. The sales blurb states these stories have been updated for the contemporary reader, an edit which some St. John fans dislike. Here is the link to the series:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
In the fall of 2022, I began reading it aloud to my beloved mother, during her latest battle with cancer. We were thoroughly enjoying the narrative, but eager to read MORE! than our time together in the midst of medical transitions allowed. The solution was to buy her a Kindle so she can fly away reading when her body needs to rest. She promptly finished the book – getting far ahead of me! It looks like I will chase her through the remainder of the stories; May her strength endure!
Rainbow Garden is a charming escape that nonetheless wades through some deep water. Elaine struggles with the environment, the family members, elusive emotional equanimity, and spiritual confusion that wades into despair. The key for Elaine is found in her contemplation of Psalm 16:11a “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy” KJV. The Owen’s family is patient, loving, and also in transformation, working through their own trials and challenges associated with growing up and living in a fallen world. The story moves through beautiful scenery, from the quaint valley of the farm, to the lowland beaches of Wales, to the majestic mountain peaks of Snowdonia.
For a view into the landscape of the story, see
https://www.visitwales.com/destinatio...
Rainbow Garden also explores various layers of spiritual formation and the transformative power of a relationship with Jesus Christ in the hearts and lives of the young. I am in awe of St. John’s gentle exploration of spiritual life. As a writer, St. John is patient as she completely avoids the sermonizing that often colors fictional examination of commitment to Christ. Instead, St. John gives her characters time to work out their spiritual life alongside life events, which gives her stories multilayered depth. I am thoroughly enjoying this project of reading through the St. John series I purchased for Kindle. I find myself increasingly grateful for the recommendation to read St. John, and I pass that recommendation on to you.
I’ll review each title as I go and the entire set when completed. If you would like to follow along from the beginning, the first story is:
Star of Light, Patricia St. John, 1953
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The next story in the series is:
Treasures of the Snow, St. John, 1950
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
November 29, 2021
just now remembering that i've read this and how christian it was, still remember enjoying it though
March 5, 2022
At first this felt like a Christian knock off of the Secret Garden, however it improved and developed into its own story. It was not the most suspenseful book ever written. The plot felt a little disjointed at times, however, there was very good character development. I did feel that the gospel was presented in more formula form than I would prefer. Overall, it was a good read.
September 25, 2018
I am a sucker for classic kid's books. I found this in a pile of old books recently and thought, 'Hey! Why not change up my reading genre?' So, getting into this delightful book today with its lovely descriptives of a young girl's rather uptight self centred world got me hooked!
However, oh dear, there is always a however, I started to realise in the first few chapters there were messages coming through. Pride before a fall, was the one which stood out to me. Even though it was not blatant I could sense something was coming at me.
I was right. After some more quite delightful pages of wonderful enlightened imagery of a Welsh Spring it became obvious that Scripture was being preached.
I have no qualms in any teaching of anyone's religion, dont misinterpret my own personal views. I was not prepared for this book to be so suddenly full on with the bible and quotes from same and indeed the little girl's sudden understanding of her new ideal.
The author means to show a lovely story and she does well. I enjoyed her style very much but I am afraid once it became suddenly heavy on teligion with superlative mentionings of biblical quotes and parables it lost me.
Had I known prior to picking up this little book of the religious overtones I would not have read it .
I did enjoy the authors style of story telling and if there were no religion involved would have been recommended for any young child to read.
However, oh dear, there is always a however, I started to realise in the first few chapters there were messages coming through. Pride before a fall, was the one which stood out to me. Even though it was not blatant I could sense something was coming at me.
I was right. After some more quite delightful pages of wonderful enlightened imagery of a Welsh Spring it became obvious that Scripture was being preached.
I have no qualms in any teaching of anyone's religion, dont misinterpret my own personal views. I was not prepared for this book to be so suddenly full on with the bible and quotes from same and indeed the little girl's sudden understanding of her new ideal.
The author means to show a lovely story and she does well. I enjoyed her style very much but I am afraid once it became suddenly heavy on teligion with superlative mentionings of biblical quotes and parables it lost me.
Had I known prior to picking up this little book of the religious overtones I would not have read it .
I did enjoy the authors style of story telling and if there were no religion involved would have been recommended for any young child to read.
October 31, 2023
A beautiful and captivating story! This title is definitely ranking higher than others, making this a St. John favorite.
Themes of loneliness, selfishness, surrender, salvation and finding the “path of life” and “fullness of joy” abound in this story about a young girl who is suddenly shipped off to live with strangers. At first shy and almost resentful of the family who takes her in, Elaine comes to cherish their family circle and the love they bestow on her.
I highly recommend this!
Ages: 8+
Content Considerations: some children do not always behave right but the older ones all learn from it. The mother makes an odd statement that all her children are always naughty on Saturdays.
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Themes of loneliness, selfishness, surrender, salvation and finding the “path of life” and “fullness of joy” abound in this story about a young girl who is suddenly shipped off to live with strangers. At first shy and almost resentful of the family who takes her in, Elaine comes to cherish their family circle and the love they bestow on her.
I highly recommend this!
Ages: 8+
Content Considerations: some children do not always behave right but the older ones all learn from it. The mother makes an odd statement that all her children are always naughty on Saturdays.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
June 14, 2024
(Three or four stars, not sure.) I appreciated much of the story and the way the characters were changed. And I could relate with the main character--in some ways I was quite similar to her when I was 11, too (very selfish, disliking babies, and proud)! I also liked the sacrifices and struggles the characters had after becoming saved. And the storyline was quite riveting in other ways, too. I thought there probably should have been some Biblical references at the end when Elaine is deciding whether to go back with her mother, rather than the dream she had and all, but overall it was a good story. I don't really like how this version has been edited from the original, though perhaps it is still much the same.
October 17, 2022
Read aloud to kids 2022. A favorite, though I had to skip some scary parts.
(Original review from 2009) Elaine, from London, is unhappy, insecure and self-centered when she comes to live with a large family in Wales. It's a large adjustment, but finding a special place of her own and learning about fulness of joy help her to see God's truth. Patricia St. John can enter the mind of a child like few other writers. If at all possible read the original editions. I simply don't understand why people would re-write British children's literature.
(Original review from 2009) Elaine, from London, is unhappy, insecure and self-centered when she comes to live with a large family in Wales. It's a large adjustment, but finding a special place of her own and learning about fulness of joy help her to see God's truth. Patricia St. John can enter the mind of a child like few other writers. If at all possible read the original editions. I simply don't understand why people would re-write British children's literature.
April 22, 2017
There are heaps of books in this 'series'. Great read with kids. Makes you appreciate the warm clothes, good food and well resourced schools we have! Weaves God into the circumstances of the books really well so that the reader is encouraged to include God in their goings on too because He cares for them. Very descriptive and well written.
April 12, 2023
Rereading this one brought such childhood memories. As a child I didn't get the spiritual side of the book so much but now I'm able to appreciate it. It seems like there is a gem hidden in the story, you just have to see it.
February 17, 2013
I liked it as a kid; I don't know what I'd think now.
October 3, 2014
Full of spiritual truths without being preachy.
September 28, 2022
11-year-old Elaine is sent from London to the countryside while her mother takes a job in Europe. At first, Elaine resents her situation, especially being foisted off on a boisterous family with six other children who don't seem to want her there, but then she finds an abandoned garden that she decides to make into her own special place.
If this sounds a bit like a cut-rate Secret Garden, you're not entirely wrong, though the garden is only really important in the first half of the story. The main plot centers on Elaine's discovery of Christianity and the development of her newfound faith. It's all terribly earnest, as is typical of mid-century religious writing for children, though there's some adventure by way of a mountain holiday and a desperate robber toward the end of the book. I can see this book finding a place in a church library. My edition says it's been revised with more modern language, but I'm not familiar with the original, so I can't tell you what's been changed.
If this sounds a bit like a cut-rate Secret Garden, you're not entirely wrong, though the garden is only really important in the first half of the story. The main plot centers on Elaine's discovery of Christianity and the development of her newfound faith. It's all terribly earnest, as is typical of mid-century religious writing for children, though there's some adventure by way of a mountain holiday and a desperate robber toward the end of the book. I can see this book finding a place in a church library. My edition says it's been revised with more modern language, but I'm not familiar with the original, so I can't tell you what's been changed.
January 24, 2021
This book was marvelous and wonderful, it had alot of imagery scenes and full with colors. I recommend this book alot and you will learn that you can find you're destained way of life and people have you're back. The rainbow garden describes the different colorful flowers and how she cares for it more and more. It makes her realize that she is nit the only person in the world and that caring for others make you more conciousabout things around you.
August 21, 2021
The Rainbow Garden is a book I really enjoyed, because it is based around St. George village and it is about how Elaine has a journey through her life. It might be on the list of my favourite books.
October 20, 2021
It was a really beautiful, moving story. I loved it.
November 10, 2023
Was a great book for our family time reading.
October 5, 2025
Loved this on audio (van book with the kids) to hear the wonderful British voices!
April 16, 2020
This was a 1960 edition, awarded to a little girl in year 3 at Sunday School in 1962. A charming children’s Christian story; very sweet.
January 20, 2015
I read this aloud to the kids and we all really enjoyed it. Elaine was an angry, insecure girl, who was lonely and didn't always make the best choices. She longed for the "fullness of joy" that she heard about through the family she was staying with. She then comes to know Christ as her own Savior and her heart softens. I loved how it describes her internal struggles to want to continue to do whatever SHE likes vs trying to follow God's path of life and how she discovers that in His presence is where she finds the joy she was always longing for. There's also a good bit of drama with a thief and a life-threatening illness, which kept the action going and served as the backdrop for a story about changed hearts and following God's path, not just for her, but for the other characters in the story.
April 20, 2025
When I was a kid, before my parents got divorced, this was one of my favourite books. It’s got a beautiful description of Easter in it, so I had a hankering to read it today - I haven’t read it in over thirty years, and it’s just an old-fashioned children’s book, but my goodness it made me cry. It’s a beautiful little story about love and loss and faith, and it gives me that melancholy yearning that CS Lewis calls joy.
Read
February 12, 2010“Only Frances lingered, making daisy chains for the new grave [for the rabbit:]. She loved the little cemetery, for to Frances the grave was nothing but a door into heaven where nothing was hurt or killed or destroyed. But of course I knew nothing about this at the time.”
March 14, 2009
It was a very sweet story.
May 17, 2011
Love this author! Love this story! I will definitely be reading this one to my kids.
July 3, 2010
I really like this book and ill probably re-read it.
Read
June 30, 2012Read when I was ten, it was a gift from my uncle. It was my favourite book and I re-read it even when it fell apart
August 10, 2012
This story is of how selfish and spoiled Elaine from London changes when she becomes a Christian while living with the Owens family in rural Wales.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews