Published by Macmillan Children’s Books, 2021.

It’s raining outside and a little girl and her grandad are stuck indoors, looking out of the window at the gloomy sky. It’s easy to see their situation as a metaphor for lockdown life: grey and restricted. Happily, the two of them have plans for how to cheer up the sky – they’re going to make a rainbow. What follows is a joyful story, full of hope and colour.

Grandad explains that a rainbow isn’t painted but that it’s made from hope, kindness, love and laughter. It’s time spent in nature – kicking leaves and watching sunsets. It’s being part of a community – singing songs in a choir or working together on the allotment. It’s jam on toast, blueberry pie, and summer picnics.

The book also promotes the important concepts of gratitude and mindfulness: taking time to listen to birdsong, noticing the first flowers of spring, being thankful for our friends and family who help us make it through.

The book’s illustrations are vibrant and uplifting too. Each double-page spread is themed around a different colour from the rainbow.

How Do You Make a Rainbow? is just the tonic we need right now, showing us how to find colour and hope when the days seem dim and grey.

Rating: 💙💙💙💙

Suitable for children aged 3+

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Books for sending me this book to review.