Today was a good mail day–I found a copy of Matt Forrest Esenwine’s new treasure, A UNIVERSE OF RAINBOWS, on my doorstep (thank you Eerdmans Books for offering a review copy!)
The book features a wide variety of rainbows, including those made by light and water, those found on animals and plants, rainbows in rocks, and even rainbows in space. The poems on each topic are written by many of my (and your!) favorite kidlit poets and showcase a variety of poetic forms. Each poem is accompanied by an easily-understood sidebar that explains the science behind the different rainbows. Jamey Christoph’s dazzling illustrations enhance the poems. This is a wonderful book to bring poetry and science together for a classroom or home library. And I imagine it will inspire some creative kids to observe rainbows in nature and to try writing rainbow poems of their own.
The best way for me to introduce the book is to offer a sneak peak at a few spreads. It’s hard to choose just a few, as each is quite wonderful! But choose I must, so here goes. I apologize that my phone-camera shots do not focus on the illustrations–I focused on the words and you’ll have to read the book to enjoy the illustrations. The book opens with the magic of discovering a rainbow in “The Saturday of No” by Nikki Grimes:
Several more poems about light phenomena follow, including “Along the Zambezi,” a pantoum by Joyce Sidman. The repetition makes me feel like I’m watching the brief magical moment of a moonbow over a waterfall. I had no idea that there was such a thing as a nighttime rainbow, but thanks to the sidebar, I now know all about moonbows!
I was surprised to find poems about rainbow-colored plants and animals in the book, and greatly enjoyed this section. “Rainbows in a Cage,” a triolet by Marilyn Singer, is especially haunting.
And finally the book leaves our earthly rainbows and looks beyond, to rainbow nebulas. “Garden of Stars” makes a fitting ending for captivating a reader’s curiosity and wonder.
A Universe of Rainbows launches on April 1st. It’s a collection you’ll want to ask for at your library or bookstore.
We all need some good news these days, so I’ll share my news of the week. STARLIGHT SYMPHONY was included on the 2025 Children’s Book Center (CCBC) Choices — Poetry list. Hooray! And if you’re looking for poetry to read today, Denise has today’s Poetry Friday roundup, and a poetic plea to make liberty raucous!
Just wanted to thank everyone for their kind words! Also, if you get a copy, please take note of the two poems written by Marilyn (pictured here) and Charles Waters, who share a page; both poems are about birds and both are triolets, but they are VERY different poems, which I love!
Lovely peek at Matt’s new book, Buffy, and congrats on STARLIGHT SYMPHONY!
Thanks for sharing. I look forward to getting my own copy and sharing it with my grandchildren.
Congratulation on STARLIGHT SYMPHONY! A UNIVERSE OF RAINBOWS is luscious and so much fun to see contributions by many poetry friends.
Thanks so much for sharing these, Buffy. It looks like a lovely book, and I can’t wait to get a copy.
Oooh, thank you for sharing these, Buffy. I’ve read part of the book in digital form and need to go finish. I can’t wait to hold and enjoy a print copy!
Congratulations for making the CCBC Poetry List for Starlight Symphony, Buffy! And for your review sharing more of the A Universe of Rainbows book. I’ve loved the parts I’ve seen today and the concept will be interesting to many readers!
I’m looking forward to sharing A UNIVERSE OF RAINBOWS with some poetic fourth-graders!
Buffy, first congratulations for making the CCBC Poetry List! Thank you for the review of the A Universe of Rainbows book. What a wonderful concept. Rainbows everywhere! I’m loving the little side bars too. So much to learn. I’m sure Matt and all the poets included are proud of this one.
Thanks for highlighting this fabulous book. I would love to read it cover to cover. Each poem so different.
*Rainbows!
Buffy, A Universe of Rainbow is a joy! Your selections give a wonderful peek into this beautiful book!
Thanks so much for sharing this, Buffy! I’m so glad you enjoyed the book!
Clever concept for a book! I love the union of the poetry, art, and science. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention!