I was nervous that I was not going to like Rainbow Cookies by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Z. B. Asterplume. I have read several LGBTQ titles and they were starting to feel repetitive. Not to say they were bad or anything, I just wanted something a little different than what I had been reading. And Newman’s book is it.
We really focus on the idea of helping each other in our community via a special cookie. We are focusing on Love is Love, but there is more to it than that. It is a cozy, happy, positive book. We know there is bad but we are not exposed to it, we are only shown how to fight hate with a lot of love. You might not love cookies, but you can’t stop yourself from loving Cookie, the child of our story.
One of the positives of this book is that it is not preachy. The story flows and while things move quickly, it does not necessarily feel rushed or forced. The other big positive is the illustrations. Color is used ALL over the place. There are also several areas where blank or white space speak as powerfully as those colors do, by allowing the main focus to be concentrated on. It is just bright and happy and a big ol’ (good) punch to senses. Included are an afterwards by the author to explain the inspiration for the story and a cookie recipe.
I read via an online reader but I think in May 2026 I will find finished copies and make them into gifts for family, friends and my local library.