It’s a message to let children (and adults) know that better times will come even if there are bad things happening now. The story was a bit heavy but the beauty of the art helped tell an important story, it was very wonderful to read. However, the third time I noticed the castle on fire which is set before the story begins and I had missed it.

With gorgeous, richly realized illustrations and immense hope at its heart, Rain Before Rainbows holds out a ray of sunshine for anyone looking for light. As I was reading this one, I was thinking about how appropriate this book would be as a graduation gift for someone heading off into the world. A little girl travels through perilous landscapes, meeting dangerous dragons in a dark forest and navigating treacherous seas. Together, they build a glorious future and discover there is a way out of the darkness, into the light of the rainbow. An engaging story about how children can show their parents they are still cool after all, even if it’s not in quite the same way.The star of the hit Netflix drama, Regé-Jean Page, is reading Rain Before Rainbows to CBeebies viewers this Sunday, Mother's Day. The book may be particularly important and useful at the moment with coronavirus and the worry this may be causing a lot of children.

The poetry of the text builds on the sentiment of the scripture and although it complements the illustrations, it is compelling enough to be read independently. It is very important to have books who aknowledge the hardness of life but who are also hopeful, filled with beautiful pictures to look at. Gorgeously illustrated book that captures the imagination and reassures the reader that they have the tools and abilities to withstand the hard times in life and that there is a brighter future ahead. As always, Litchfield’s use of light is perfect and for a story about hope, I think that makes the relationship between the words and pictures even stronger.Along the way they find friends to guide and support them, and when the new day dawns, it is full of promise.

We have all had to embark on a journey we didn’t expect, facing dif- ficulty and danger, often separated from friends and loved ones. A girl and her companion fox travel together from a place of loss and despair, through uncertain times, towards the hope of colour, light and life. Importantly, too, that others can help – when the little girl finds her animal guides in the forest, she reminds us that there are experts and wise ones who can help us.

For the past few months a lot of you have been drawing your own rainbows and displaying them on your windows.