The Chalk Rainbow
A story of love and understanding through a child's eyes
Deborah Kelly author Gwynneth Jones illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Exisle Publishing
Published:1st Jul '17
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In The Chalk Rainbow, a family navigates the challenges of autism, discovering love and understanding through the eyes of Zane's caring sister.
Zane is a young boy who experiences the world differently due to autism. In The Chalk Rainbow, readers are invited into his unique perspective, exploring themes of love, trust, and understanding. Zane communicates in his own way and finds comfort in routines, such as lining up his toys. However, he also faces challenges that can be overwhelming, like his fear of the color black. This creates tension within his family, as his father struggles to connect with him, while his mother works tirelessly to bridge the gap between them.
As the story unfolds, Zane's big sister takes on the role of a compassionate narrator, sharing her insights and experiences with her brother. Her attempts to create a connection lead to a pivotal moment when she draws a chalk rainbow on the front steps, symbolizing hope and acceptance. This act becomes a catalyst for change, encouraging the family to see the world through Zane's eyes and fostering a deeper understanding of his needs and feelings.
The Chalk Rainbow is not just a tale of a family living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); it is a poignant reminder of the power of empathy and the importance of unconditional love. As the family learns to embrace their differences, they ultimately find a way to move forward together, highlighting the beauty of diversity in all its forms.
"The arcs of imaginary rainbow are as bright and present as the actual chalked part, and they convey a buoyant sense of triumph as they lengthen to fill the pictures with light and color." * Kirkus Review *
“Here is a story of trust, where we learn that unconditional love can help us to view things differently…There are many ways of solving problems and sometimes it is important to follow that rainbow.” * Bookseller NZ *
"An essential addition to the school library’s collection and the home library of the siblings of an ASD child." * The Bottom Shelf *
"(an) important (book).. for all childcare centres, kindergartens and primary schools" * Toddler Book Reviews *
"A wonderful book to share with the children giving them a real insight into how kids with autism see the world. It encourages acceptance and understanding of difference while showing there are many ways to solve a problem." * Jnr Bookworms Book Review *
Being different is hard. Zane is autistic and can’t stand the colour black. His sister devises a perfect way to deal with this and the family joins in. Touching and thought-provoking with colourful illustrations. * Pinerolo *
"This thought-provoking picture book shows the challengers faced by a family living with Autism, and how love, acceptance and all the colours of the rainbow help them work through the difficulties together." * The Sunday Telegraph *
"Reading this book to my eight year old autistic son, he says “it reminds me of my brother, and the little boy is me.” To him, it is simply a book about a big sister helping her little brother, and I believe not making autism a literal issue (by actually stating that Zane has autism), means that this book does not need to be pigeon holed as an “autism book” but can rather be viewed as a book about inclusion, and respecting differences, no matter what those differences are." * Spectrum Women *
ISBN: 9781925335453
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
32 pages