All the Colours in the Rainbow by RAE WHITE and SHA’AN D’ANTHES is a colourful children’s book highlighting that people are like rainbows – each colour is different, and you can choose to be any colour of the rainbow.
In your book, Jem’s journey is about exploring and embracing different aspects of their identity. What inspired you to create a story around this experience, and how does it relate to your own personal journey?
The inspiration for All the Colours of the Rainbow came to me during Pride 2022, while I was marching with my Queer Book Group. I was deeply moved by the sight of rainbow families marching alongside us in celebration of their individuality and diversity. It was such a beautiful and powerful reminder of the strength and joy that comes from embracing who we are.
When I was growing up, I rarely came across books that explored gender or identity. And if such books existed, they certainly weren’t as accessible or as visible as they are today. That’s why when I began writing All the Colours of the Rainbow, I knew I wanted to write a book about identity, acceptance and love – for people like me, for my amazing friends, and for all the wonderful rainbow families in my life.
The book beautifully presents the idea that people are like rainbows, with the freedom to choose any colour. Why did you decide to use this metaphor, and how do you think it can help children understand gender diversity?
Rainbows are an incredible natural phenomenon that display a vast spectrum of colours. I chose this metaphor because the vastness of colour and gender are very much alike, and they are more expansive than people realise. Through reading All the Colours of the Rainbow, I hope children (and people of all ages) will come to understand that a rainbow can’t be confined to a single colour, in the same way that gender can’t be limited to a binary. Each colour in a rainbow adds to its beauty, just as each person’s unique gender identity adds to the richness of our world.
In All the Colours of the Rainbow, Jem’s Mum plays an important role in helping them see the world in a different way. How do you think the presence of supportive adults influences the understanding of gender in young children?
A supportive adult can have a profound impact on a child’s life. By offering encouragement and guidance, a supportive adult can provide the tools a child needs to embrace their uniqueness, navigate challenges, and explore their identity with confidence. Simple actions, like a teacher challenging gender stereotypes in the classroom, or a parent/guardian encouraging curiosity and self-expression, can foster a sense of belonging and empowerment. These moments of support may seem small, but they can shape a young person’s future in meaningful and lasting ways.
Do you have any advice for parents and teachers on how they can use All the Colours of the Rainbow to start conversations about gender diversity with children in a thoughtful and inclusive way?
I want All the Colours of the Rainbow to be a practical tool for facilitating thoughtful and inclusive conversations about gender diversity with young people. For parents, guardians and teachers, I would suggest using this book as a starting point to explore themes of identity, diversity and acceptance, perhaps by reading the story together, then encouraging open discussions by asking questions. This kind of dialogue fosters a sense of curiosity about the world and a respect for the diverse ways people experience and express gender, while reinforcing the message that every identity is valid and worth celebrating.
It’s also important for adults to reflect on their own experiences and perspectives as they guide these conversations. By seeing themselves in the story, parents, guardians and educators can model empathy and understanding. This helps create a safe space where children feel comfortable expressing their own identities and asking adults questions.
What message do you hope readers take away from your book?
I hope All the Colours of the Rainbow encourages young people and readers of all ages to embrace their identity and individuality with confidence and compassion. Through Jem’s journey, I want readers to realise that it’s okay to explore who you are, even if your identity doesn’t fit into traditional societal expectations or gender roles. Ultimately, I want readers to come away with a sense of empowerment and knowledge that they are not alone.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo credit: Chloë Callistemon.
Rae White is a non-binary transgender writer, educator and zine maker. Their poetry collection Milk Teeth won the 2017 Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize, was shortlisted for the 2019 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards and commended in the 2018 Anne Elder Award.
Rae’s second poetry collection, Exactly As I Am, was shortlisted for the 2023 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and 2023 Queensland Literary Awards.
Rae has poems published in Nothing to Hide: Voices of Trans and Gender-Diverse Australia and also contributed a piece to Dear Lover.
Rae’s short story ‘The Body Remembers’ placed second in the 2019 Rachel Funari Prize for Fiction. They have had poetry published in many journals, including Australian Poetry Journal, Cordite, Meanjin, Overland and Rabbit.
Rae is the Creative Director and Founder of community poetry initiative Uplift Poetry, and the Founding Editor of #EnbyLife, a journal for non-binary and gender-diverse creatives.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Sha’an d’Anthes is the author and illustrator of Zoom and Bandits and is based in Sydney, Australia. Her work is vibrant and playful and is enjoyed by children and adults alike. You can find Sha’an on Instagram and Youtube.
