Brown Dog belongs to no one. He’s alone and lonely
until Reena sees him in the park and they begin to play together. Reena notices
he’s smart and quick. She also notices the children playing hide and seek and
their happy smiles.
Reena joins in their game. She looks for and
discovers children hiding beneath butterfly bushes, up trees filled with cherry
blossoms, within tall grasses, and behind tree trunks.
When Reena hides, she can’t hear the children
calling her. When she comes out, she is
alone until her mother finds her. Brown Dog tags along.
Reena and mum talk with their fingers. Reena feels
left out of the group; different. So does Brown Dog.
Reena returns to the park. She sees everyone in
line for a turn on the flying fox. She sees the tree branch above Thomas’ head
break. So does Brown Dog. Reena sees the quick Brown Dog leap into the air and
fall on Thomas, who falls to the ground away from the branch.
Reena and Brown Dog suit each other. Both can see
the same things, but they are different. Can they become part of the group of
different children playing together?
A delightful story; cleverly presented with important
themes of friendship, diversity and acceptance. It’s built with great text,
gorgeous illustrations, and valuable messages of inclusion and tolerance.
Title:
Reena’s Rainbow
Author:
Dee White
Illustrator:
Tracie Grimwood
Publisher:
EK Books, $19.99
Publication
Date: September 2017
Format:
Hardcover
For
ages: 4 - 8
Type:
Picture Book