Rainbow Joe and Me

By Maria Diaz Strom

Book Overview

A girl learns the power of imagination from her blind neighbor.

Eloise likes colors. Her friend, Rainbow Joe, likes colors, too. But Rainbow Joe is blind, so Eloise tells him about the colors she mixes and the fantastic animals she paints. When Rainbow Joe says he can also imagine and mix colors, Eloise is puzzled. How can a blind man see colors? she wonders.

Little does Eloise know, Rainbow Joe is planning a surprise to show her his special colors. What she finds is a whole new way of seeing the world. Maria Diaz Strom, in her picture book debut, tells an endearing story that celebrates friendship and the power of imagination.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1584300507
• ISBN13: 9781584300502
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 9.0" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Rainbow Joe and Me

I teach art so I like to order books that introduce or reinforce art concepts. This book introduces a few colors and tells how to make them, however there's not pattern in the colors the author has chosen. The story, however, is sweet and the illustrations are bright, happy and colorful. I would highly recommend it for personal reading with a child, but not instruction.

Diversity of characters lovely

I am a Lutheran church librarian in Florida who bought this book for our church library. It is colorful and well-written. I like the feeling of neighborliness expressed in this book. So often we ignore our neighbors in our busy lives, but here, neighbors are seen as valuable, colorful people who have different talents and skills. A child loves art. A blind man loves music. The two share and appreciate one another's talents. How nice for children to read about brotherhood and togetherness. A lovely book which is simple but intriguing! We have a blind member of our church and this book helps the kids in our congregation realize that people can have different traits, gifts and challenges, yet we all have the same feelings, hopes, dreams and wishes. Thank you to Maria Diaz Strom.

A Must-Have Book

This is a beautiful book. The words and images are simple and strong. There is no sappiness or "political correctness" about these people. The story feels natural, it rings true in a beautiful, effortless manner. The characters are strong in themselves and there is no TV-movie sentimentality. This is great reading and looking for all ages.

A bright, fun story with lots to ponder

I read this book to my son's first grade class and the kids loved it! The story and the art are vivid and captivating, but the best part was the discussion we had afterward. The kids had lots of ideas about how a blind person could experience color. It was a really special book to share. I highly recommend it.