In Rainbows in the Dark, a picture book by Wolfville, Nova Scotia, author Jan Coates, a young girl helps a blind musician find the perfect outfit for a concert, making new friends with both the musician and her guide dog. Bright pictures by Toronto illustrator Alice Priestley evoke the rainbows of the title on each page.

With lots of colourful descriptors, Coates tells a tale of seeing through another’s eyes, of accepting differences, of
helping and sharing. But it’s difficult to determine the intended audience for this book. Abby, the main character, appears to be elementary school age, in both language and attitude, yet seems completely unfamiliar with the concept of disabilities and working dogs, which seems unlikely in this era of inclusion. With the resiliency of a child, she bounces to Joanna’s aid once she understands the situation, suggesting clothing and accessories in a secondhand store where she is waiting for her mother to finish shopping. Sharing confidences with Joanna, she tells of her wish for a hundred rainbows and is granted that wish by the end of the story.

Throughout the book, Priestley’s colourful and detailed illustrations draw the eye, her realistic pictures closely harmonizing with the text. Smaller drawings beneath the text on alternate pages serve to enhance the story as well.
Preschool children will find themselves drawn to the pictures, and the story of a child helping an adult will delight and instruct. For older children, however, the book, despite its colourful illustrations and descriptive writing, may feel too much like sermonizing on a topic that they’ll probably be very familiar with.