Universe of Rainbows: Multicolored Poems for a Multicolored World

2026 NCTE Notable Children's Poetry Book

Rainbows in all their glory are celebrated in this STEAM-filled poetry collection from an all-star roster of children's poets. Perfect for Poetry Month and Earth Day.

What do Yellowstone's Grand Prismatic Spring, Peru's Vinicunca mountain, the star Betelgeuse, and a drop of water have in common? Rainbows! In this iridescent collection, Nikki Grimes, Irene Latham, Joyce Sidman, Janet Wong, and sixteen other poets explore bursts of color across nature.

Each selection explores a new rainbow--and not just the ones in the sky. In haiku, free verse, and other forms, the poets capture marvels like crystals, pilot glories, Gouldian finches, and marble caves. Acclaimed illustrator Jamey Christoph brings each rainbow to life in brilliant color and playful detail.

Informational sidebars flank each poem, offering scientific context for readers, and recommended resources and a glossary are also included. Part of Eerdmans' Spectacular STEAM for Curious Readers series.

Poems by:

• Nikki Grimes
• Matt Forrest Esenwine
• Renee M. LaTulippe
• Joyce Sidman
• Irene Latham
• David L. Harrison
• Heidi E. Y. Stemple & Jane Yolen
• Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
• Alma Flor Ada & F. Isabel Campoy
• Rebecca Kai Dotlich
• Marilyn Singer
• Charles Waters
• Laura Purdie Salas
• Charles Ghigna
• Lee Wardlaw
• Janet Wong
• Allan Wolf
• Georgia Heard