Why, Oh, Why? The Story of Rainbows

Meet Roy the Raindrop!
With his besties, Orange and Yellow,
making rainbows that shine like jello,
suddenly appearing,
and just as quickly disappearing.

They throw a technicolour flame
and know exactly where to aim,
making rays bend in sharp degrees
forming arches with a dancer’s ease.

In soft sun showers and skies of blue
their moods inspire spectrum hues,
putting on their all-day shows
they flex and curve in colourful bows.

Roy’s close to paradise (though rainier)
shining bright in mid-Tasmania,
but after him the trail goes cold
– you’ll never find those pots of gold!

So here he is and keen to share
laying rainbow workings bare
in Why, Oh, Why? The Story of Rainbows.

Why, Oh, Why? The Story of Rainbows includes twelve beautifully illustrated poems that explore all things rainbows. Written by Roy G. Biv (Tim Hurburgh, author of Disruptions: Tasmania in Poetry and Tall Poplars), the book sparks curiosity about the natural world and encourages engagement with science and language, with a simple activity at the end to keep young readers thinking beyond the final page.