Hello, friends! Our book today is Ava And The Rainbow (Who Stayed) by Ged Adamson, the story of a little girl and a very colorful friend.

After the rain, Ava runs to the hill; she is hoping to see a rainbow. And indeed, one is there – the most beautiful rainbow Ava’s ever seen. Returning home, she wishes that the rainbow could stay, and dreams all night that it could. When she wakes the next morning, she finds her dream has come true: the rainbow is still there, day and night, sunshine and rain. The town is sent into a tizzy, with visitors coming from far and wide, souvenirs being sold in shops, and events taking place under the rainbow’s arch. But as time goes by, the rainbow becomes commonplace, ignored and even disrespected by everyone but Ava. It decides that perhaps it is time to leave, and Ava is broken-hearted. But when the rain comes again, her friend is back, and she welcomes it with the songs and stories they shared from that very first day.

I confess, I didn’t quite understand the message of this one the first time around. After some thought, however, my interpretation is that it’s a comment on the fickle nature of popularity – the rainbow is honored and beloved when it’s a novelty, then quickly dropped as people’s attention moves on. Except of course for Ava, the rainbow’s one true friend – she understands when it is ready to do what’s right for itself, and is there for it when it comes back, the only person who shows genuine concern and support. And this is a wonderful lesson for little ones – friends are the ones who stay long after the fairweather followers have left. The cartoonish art is joyful, wry and colorful, and an absolute delight. The length is great, and JJ loved it. A subtle but powerful lesson in modern friendship, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!