The Rainbow Stick Boy

Michael Santolini

This is a cute little children’s book which extols the virtues of being different, and finding that someone special to share it with you. Rainbow Stick Boy is different from all the other people in his village because he’s multiple colours, not only one. But there’s something else special about him anyway.

This is a cute little picture book, but not a particularly unique one. There are plenty of others in this genre for kids (‘The Rainbow Fish’) that are better. I didn’t get any requests for a reread – I’d say let your local library buy a copy, and borrow it for your children to read.

I liked the straws he used! That was the highlight of the book for me, and gave me something to laugh about. It was also popular with my young audience.

I’d suggest to the author that although the artwork is as good as other picture book I’ve read, the prose could use some work. Also the title made me think this was a picture book for teaching children about LGBT children and adults, but it wasn’t at all.

I received this novel free, but this in no way influenced my review.