Planting a Rainbow

April 11, 1988
Every fall "Mom and I plant a rainbow,'' by carefully placing bulbs in the gardenstiger lilies, yellow daffodils, blue hyacinth and purple iris, among others. And every winter they order seeds from catalogues for zinnias, daisies, marigolds and much more. The bulbs sprout in spring; seedlings are set out. Come summer, it's time to harvest the rainbow-colored crop. Despite a die-cut insert that relates the colors of the spectrum, this new title lacks the fresh approach to the natural cycle of planting, growth and reaping of Ehlert's Growing Vegetable Soup. While still welcome for its bursts of color and well-documented labeling of flowers, this book cannot add to the concept of gardening, precisely because its predecessor was so comprehensive. Ages 3-8.

March 2, 1992
With her characteristically vibrant artwork, Ehlert depicts the planting of a family garden. Ages 3-7.

June 1, 2003
In a companion to Growing Vegetable Soup, Lois Ehlert's signature stylized shapes and flat, bright colors bring forth a bountiful garden in Planting a Rainbow. Die-cut pages featuring one color per spread play up this celebration of seeds sprouting into an array of blossoms that boast the colors of the rainbow.