Review: Rainbow Street by R.W.R. McDonald

Rainbow Street is not only a visual delight of colour and chaos, it's an invitation to share in a community that is colourful, diverse and welcoming.

 Illustrated by Kelly Canby

Publisher: Larrikin House

Publication date: 26th August 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$24.99 (Hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Books on Tour

Join all the residents of Rainbow Street as they gather for a street party to celebrate Granny’s 90th birthday.
Granny is the lifeblood of Rainbow Street. She’s no frail old lady and I love that Granny is full of life and full of adventure, and a little bit of mischief. No rocking chair and knitting needles for this granny.

Granny's young granddaughter introduces everyone on Rainbow Street as she sets their place at the table. As she introduces the neighbours she shares information on different cultural traditions, holidays and food. She also introduces her own large rainbow family.

Rainbow Street is a joyous celebration of community and family, overflowing with love and connectedness.

Kelly Canby’s watercolour illustrations are splashed across the page in a riot of colour and play.

This multi-cultural and multi-generational story is a delight to read as it celebrates the joy of belonging and having fun together as a close-knit community.

Rainbow Street shares different family makeups and different cultural foods, traditions and holidays all in one diverse community.

Rainbow Street is an excellent resource to open conversations about different cultural celebrations and food and different family dynamics. It builds understanding of what makes a family.

My rating 5 /5 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

Recommended age: 3 - 8 years

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