LET'S MAKE A RAINBOW

Siblings use their imaginations while practicing yoga in Rose’s debut picture book

White-presenting, dark-haired siblings Lily and Lee are stuck inside their colorful home while it rains. Lily has an idea; she offers to teach her little brother yoga to “turn the day sunny instead of sad.” The girl explains that during yoga, they will pretend to be “Airplanes, snakes, and volcanoes, / Lions, butterflies and rainbows.” She guides her brother through various poses, including Butterfly, Volcano, Warrior, and more. During Downward Dog, for example, Lily says, “Wag your tail up to the sky, nose down low and bottom up high. / Spread your paws.” Next, the girl has an idea to practice Sun Salutations. She says, “Salutations will bring out the sun, a sign in the sky when you are done.” When they reach Rainbow Pose, the kids notice the rain has stopped. Now they feel invigorated. The story here is fun and imaginative. Rose portrays the benefits of yoga in a kid-friendly, inspiring way. Upbeat, positive sentiments (“When you feel blue on a stormy day, / Yoga can make the rain go away,” etc.) will encourage youngsters to follow along or start a practice of their own. Green’s realistic, friendly illustrations use vibrant colors, and backdrops cleverly mirror the poses. For example, during Tree Pose, the siblings are shown among greenery and trees. When they practice Cat and Cow, they are in front of a red barn. A short section titled “Did You Know?” provides a few facts about rainbows.

A fun, creative, and accessible introduction to yoga and its benefits.