A Rainbow of Fun

Author: Lyndal M. Ihle
Illustrator: Leigh Brown
Publisher: Potoroo Publishing

Penny the pig loves all colours, and has filled her bedroom full of rainbows. Her parents keep the door closed, and Grandma won’t go in because “pigs like PINK…they always have and they always will”. But Grandpa tells Penny that she doesn’t have to be like everyone else.

At Penny’s dance recital, the audience is brought to a shocked silence when Penny inadvertently reveals her rainbow underpants. In an act of allegiance and courage, Grandpa steps on stage and reveals his boxer shorts, also covered in rainbow stripes, and the like-minded pair dance together. No one claps at the end, but Penny and Grandpa don’t need the audience’s approval – they know they are stars! Their dance routine encourages other pigs to admit they secretly like other colours too.

This book acknowledges that not everyone will applaud the person that shows their true colours, which is a realistic message. Penny had the strength to stay true to herself, and she will hopefully inspire readers to do the same.

The messages we found in this book:

Acknowledgement:

People often hide their differences, and may even be encouraged to do so (Penny’s grandma and her parents are embarrassed by her love of rainbow colours)
It takes a lot of courage to do things differently from your peers
Finding a like-minded friend who supports you and shares your ideals makes it easier to be confident about yourself.

Guidance:

When you stay true to yourself, you inspire others to do so. Penny and Grandpa’s dance routine was the catalyst for other pigs to admit they liked different colours.

Hope & Inspiration:

Grandma becomes more accepting at the end of the book (she is shown knitting a rainbow blanket for Penny).
Penny displayed a great deal of courage. At the beginning of the story, she thought she was the only pig who liked colours, but despite of this, she wore rainbows. Grandpa was also very brave and kind to get up on stage with Penny and show his rainbows.
Penny showed resilience – her dance went wrong but she stayed on stage. Grandpa and Penny were happy with their dance routine, even without the approval of the audience.