Princess Rosie's Rainbows

By: Bette Killion
Illustrated by: Kim Jacobs
Publisher: Wisdom Tales
Publication Date: October 2015
ISBN: 978-1937786441
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: December 16, 2015

A beautiful rainbow arced above a quaint little village. The village was nestled in a valley below a most magnificent castle under the clouds. Ah, but that castle wasn’t yet full because the handsome King and beautiful Queen wished for a child. It wasn’t long before their wish came true because on a “rainy summer day a daughter was born to them.” Of course the first thing she saw was one of those beautiful rainbows the villagers often saw above them. Unfortunately, the Princess of Rose-colored Light would be “truly happy only when a rainbow was in the sky.”

Princess Rosie wasn’t full of smiles and “often wore a frown.” The only time that smile lit up her face was when there was a rainbow in the sky. “I wish,” she exclaimed, “I could have a rainbow all the time.” There was nothing too good for the King’s little princess and soon he issued a decree. “A bag of gold to anyone who can bring forever rainbows to make our princess smile.” Faraway visitors began to arrive, bearing those forever rainbows, but of course none of them were real.

There were rainbow parasols, banners, paper lanterns, kites, and a rainbow bowl of fruit. No, none of them were real. Near and far they continued to come for who would not want the King’s bag of gold? A procession rode through the valley headed by bakers carrying a special forever rainbow cake, but alas that rainbow wasn’t real either. “They are beautiful,” Princess Rosie declared, “but they are not real.” Soon the Royal Astronomer stepped forth at the bequest of the Queen. He had something special to show Princess Rosie, but were his rainbows the forever kind or just one more disappointment?

This is a whimsical forever rainbow fairytale that will enchant young and old alike. The most striking thing about the book is the magnificently regal artwork that complements the tale perfectly. It definitely has Maxfield Parrish-like qualities, yet somewhat softer, more fitting for a child’s fairytale. Of course the moral of the tale is that happiness comes from within, not from things around us. In the back of the book is a fun science activity, “Make Your Own Rainbow.” The basic concept of what rainbows are and how you can make your own are covered.

Quill says: A fun, beautiful book that will complement any fairytale collection.