Spring is around the corner and it’s a great time for a rainbow reading challenge. Whether you want to do this challenge in the classroom or send it home for families, young children will enjoy listening and reading books.
Rainbow Reading Challenge
The Nuts and Bolts of the Challenge
This is pretty easy! Read a book each day for a week that has a color word in the title or the cover of the book is the designated color of the day. We have a FREE booklist and challenge sheet for you below towards the bottom of the post.
Day 1- Books About Rainbows
Day 2- Red Day
Day 3- Orange Day
Day 4- Yellow Day
Day 5- Green Day
Day 6- Blue Day
Day 7- Indigo and Violet Day
See…easy peasy! You can share the books you enjoy with kids on social media and use the hashtag #ReadtheRainbowChallenge and/or track your progress on the free printable (see the green download button towards the bottom of this post to download.)
Book Ideas
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Now for the fun part. Here is some book inspiration to get you started.
Though this challenge can be adapted for all ages, the books I’ve included below fit well for young children.
Rainbow
Rainbow Stew by Cathryn Falwell
End of the Rainbow Fruit Salad by Welsh, Moore, and Puzniak
A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
My Color is Rainbow by Agnes Hsu
How the Crayons Saved the Rainbow by Monica Sweeney
Red
Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood
The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
The Red Lemon by Bob Staake
Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
Orange
Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
The Big Orange Splot by D. Manus Pinkwater
Each Orange Had Eight Slices by Paul Giganti Jr.
An Orange for Frankie by Patrica Polacco (a good one for elementary)
Yellow
Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni- Try this sensory writing tray for Little Blue and Little Yellow too.
Purple, Green, and Yellow by Robert Munsch
Blue vs Yellow by Tom Sullivan
Green
Green Pants by Kenneth Kraegel
Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberly
Green is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors by Roseanne Greenfield Thong
Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Blue
Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
Jamaica’s Blue Marker by Juanita Havill
Indigo/Violet (or Purple)
Violet’s Music by Angela Johnson
Violet the Pilot by Steve Breen
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
*Early chapter book readers may enjoy The Rainbow Series by Daisy Meadows.
Grab Your Rainbow Challenge Sheet FREE Printable
Use this book list and challenge sheet to find and record the books you enjoy and track your progress. Celebrate with a rainbow fruit salad on the last day. Just click the green “Click Here to Get Your Free Printable” button below, enter your email, and it will be sent to you right away to download. Or CLICK HERE.
Share your reading pictures on Twitter or Instagram and use the hashtag #ReadtheRainbowChallenge. We’d love to see the books you are enjoying.
Happy Reading!
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Amanda says
My son loves this idea so much he wants to make this a seven week challenge rather than just seven days! what a fun, fun idea, thank you!
Jodie Rodriguez says
That sounds super fun Amanda!
JoAnna says
Hi Jodie,
After seeing some other comments, I’m glad I’m not the only one having an issue finding your link. We would love to do this challenge with you!
Thanks, JoAnna
Jodie Rodriguez says
Please check your email. I just sent it to you. Enjoy!
Crystal says
Ii would love a copy of the printables too please. I dont see a button either.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Not sure why the button isn’t showing for some people. I know that it is working for some. I’ve added another text link to access it in the post. But, I’ve also just sent a copy to your email Crystal. Best, Jodie
Jennifer says
Hello! I also do not see the green button to click to download the rainbow printable. Would love to get a copy – thanks!
Jodie Rodriguez says
Jennifer, I just sent you an email.
Jessica says
Hi there I cant seem to find either of the downloads as well? Would you mind sending it my way?
Jodie Rodriguez says
Hi Jessica,
I just sent it to your email or you can also click the green button in the post to download it. Enjoy reading the rainbow!
Marci says
Hi,
I can’t seem to access the link To get the free booklist and challenge sheet. I clicked on the Picture and also the link at the bottom of the page where it says to Grab them and nothing is HAppening.
Thanks
Jodie Rodriguez says
Hi Marci,
I just sent you an email that will help you get the download.
Best,
Jodie