________________ CM . . . . Volume XII Number 7 . . . .November 25, 2005

cover

Rainbows in the Dark.

Jan Coates. Illustrated by Alice Priestly.
Toronto, ON: Second Story Press, 2005.
24 pp., cloth, $14.95.
ISBN 1-896764-95-9.

Subject Headings:
Blind-Juvenile fiction.
Color-Juvenile fiction.

Preschool-grade 1 / Ages 3-6.

Review by Ellie Contursi.

*** /4

   

excerpt:

"Second Time Around stinks!" Abby glared at her mom and slammed the car door—hard! ... She threw herself into the pink stuffed chair, crossed her arms and scowled. The door suddenly banged open and a blast of cold air swept a young woman into the store.

 

Who wants to shop at a used clothing store? Certainly not Abby, but she is stuck shopping at "Second Time Around" again. As Abby slumps into a chair determined not to enjoy the experience, a happy young woman enters the store with her dog. Abby is surprised that this woman is breaking the 'no dogs allowed' store rule, and Abby can't resist letting her know it. It is then that Abby discovers the laughing young lady is blind. Joanna explains her situation to Abby who is quite embarrassed about her mistake. As Joanna laughs it off, she immediately engages Abby in a quest for a special new outfit she needs. As Abby helps Joanna find the ideal ensemble, Joanna explains her guide dog's importance in her life and the jobs that he does for her. Abby's curiosity about guide dogs and blindness is revealed, and her questions are answered in an unassuming way. Joanna invites Abby and her mother to attend a special mystery event that same evening. When they do, they discover the beautiful music Joanna creates, giving the story a magical ending.

internal art     Jan Coates gives her young readers a taste of what it is like to be blind; however, she does so in a lovely and up-beat manner. Illustrator Alice Priestly captures each moment of the story with colourful, cheerful illustrations. Rainbows in the Dark is a heart-warming read aloud and would make a nice addition to public library and elementary school library collections.

Recommended.

Ellie Contursi is a Children's Librarian at the London Public Library in London, ON.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364
Hosted by the University of Manitoba.
 

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