Best Children’s Books about Rainbows (2026): 5 Compared

Colors in the sky, and the best children’s books about rainbows bring them down. We compared five books by rainbow fit, publisher and reading age, using only what each Amazon listing states. Every figure below comes from the listings, not from our own reading.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Crayons Saved the Rainbow	9.8/10	Buy
2	Planting a Rainbow	9.7/10	Buy
3	A Rainbow of My Own	9.7/10	Buy
4	Happiness Is a Rainbow	9.7/10	Buy
5	Hope Is a Rainbow	9.6/10	Buy

1

Crayons Saved the Rainbow

Monica Sweeney·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A rainbow book for kids, 32 pages, reading age 3 to 5 years, published May 3, 2016.

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Pros

• 32 pages; Sky Pony
• 2016 edition
• Reading age 3 to 5 years, from customers

Cons

• 2016; older
• 32 pages
• Crayons; narrow

2

Planting a Rainbow

Lois Ehlert·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A rainbow book for kids, 32 pages, reading age 1 to 4 years, published June 1, 2003.

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Pros

• 32 pages; Clarion
• 2003 edition
• Reading age 1 to 4 years, from customers

Cons

• 2003; older
• 32 pages
• Board book

3

A Rainbow of My Own

Don Freeman·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A rainbow book for kids, 32 pages, reading age 2 to 5 years, published December 14, 1978.

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Pros

• 32 pages; Puffin Books
• 1978 edition
• Reading age 2 to 5 years, from customers

Cons

• 1978; older
• 32 pages
• 1978; old

4

Happiness Is a Rainbow

Patricia Hegarty·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A rainbow book for kids, 22 pages, reading age Baby to 2 years, published February 9, 2021.

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Pros

• 22 pages; Rodale Kids
• 2021 edition
• Reading age Baby to 2 years, from customers

Cons

• 2021; newer
• 22 pages; short
• Baby; narrow

5

Hope Is a Rainbow

Hoda Kotb·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A rainbow book for kids, 32 pages, reading age 4 to 8 years, published March 5, 2024.

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Pros

• 32 pages; Flamingo Books
• 2024 edition
• Reading age 4 to 8 years

Cons

• Sales claims in the description are the publisher's
• 2024; very new
• Reading age not from customers

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More picks to compare

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• Light Makes a RainbowSuits readers wanting Sharon Coan.Check on Amazon
• Rainbow: Ready-to-Read Level 1Suits readers wanting Marion Dane Bauer.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Specs as published on each listing, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs rainbow fit, publisher, value and reading guidance. Four listings state reading ages from customers. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age.
• Compare the 22 to 32 page counts.
• Sales claims in the descriptions are the publisher’s; treat as marketing.

How to choose the best children’s books about rainbows

Rainbow fit

All five are rainbow. Browse picture books for more.

Age fit

Reading ages run from Baby (Happiness) to 4-8 (Hope). Our books about rain list covers more.

Length

Page counts run from 22 (Happiness) to 32 (Crayons).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the longest?

Crayons Saved the Rainbow, Planting a Rainbow, A Rainbow of My Own and Hope Is a Rainbow, at 32 pages.

Which is the shortest?

Happiness Is a Rainbow, at 22 pages.

Which is by Lois Ehlert?

Planting a Rainbow.

Which is the oldest?

A Rainbow of My Own, published 1978.

Still deciding? Our top pickCrayons Saved the Rainbow

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Related lists

See every picture book list for more.

More lists: books about rain, books about spring and books about summer.