Customer Reviews

Rainbow Rhino

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are a parent or grandparent--get this gorgeous book! This is not just another colorful children's book with a cute little main character. Rainbow Rhino is really a morality tale that deals with what it means to be truly human to one's self and one another. My children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews will read about Homer, because it is probably the most important lesson we must learn ourselves before we can teach it to our children. It's about character and integrity, as much as it is about intolerance and ignorance. Yet this powerfully important message is presented in a simply wonderful tale of Homer, who is sad and isolated when his school mates make fun of him. Yet, when he finds a rainbow in trouble, he forgets his own pain, and saves the day, showing the kind of genuine compassion that epitomizes the golden rule--and isn't that what we all want our children to emulate?

I have just finished reading this delightful story, and am thrilled that it is available to children and adults alike. Without giving away the plot, the book tells of Homer, a rhino with a problem. As the story unfolds, Homer uses his `problem' to help someone in distress! Through his selfless and kind act, Homer's own problem is solved! What a satisfying ending, and what a good lesson the story illustrates! And, speaking of "illustrates," the reader will be captivated by the book's brilliant artwork! Mr. Hughes' drawings and use of vivid color are dazzling!

Beyond all of this, I was impressed with Mr. Hughes' use of vivid language. Characters in the story wail, sob, shout, gasp and sputter. They gallop, charge, ram, skid, gush, stumble, and spatter. Not only does this book teach a lesson in compassion and kindness, but also it exposes the reader to exciting and descriptive language. This is the kind of book that I value as an elementary school teacher. By sharing this book with students, I can help them understand the value of being kind to others who are `different,' and of helping someone in distress. Also, I can expose them to new and exciting words that they can try out in their own compositions. I certainly appreciate having multi purpose `tools' like The Rainbow Rhino to use in a classroom, and I am looking forward to sharing it with a group of young students soon.

Fox Hughes has outdone himself! This wonderful childrens book is a delight to read and the art is a treat for the eyes. Both adults and children will enjoy this fantastic fable. I have known Mr. Fox Hughes for nearly three decades and I have been thrilled by both his wonderful writing and whimsical art. As an art teacher I was thrilled to see Fox venture into the world of education where he created the EDUCATS, a great teaching tool for young minds. My personal favorite is "The Dissatisfied Witch", a small book he printed as a limited edition many years ago. I am very pleased to hear that Fox will soon be reprinting this wonderful tale for the rest of the world to enjoy. If you like good wholesome family entertainment, this book will make the perfect gift for a young person. I highly recommend ANYTHING that this talented artistic genius produces. HOORAH for Fox Hughes!
best to all,
William M. Leach
Teacher of the Year 2007
Antioch Unified School District
Antioch, California

***** Author and Illustrator Fox Carlton Hughes has done a masterful job with this delightful children's book. The eye-catching bold colors on the cover, and throughout every page in the book, are quite simply a visual treat and the lessons taught within the story are timeless. Our hero, Homer, is a little Rhino who has a big tusk - very big! In fact, it was outstandingly big! Because of that, Homer was teased by his playmates and spent a lot of time being sad.

One day, as the story goes on to tell, Homer sees and follows a rainbow to its end (because he loves rainbows), only to find that the rainbow was crying - splattering big, wet, rainbow tears all over Homer! It's colors were brilliant and beautiful, as rainbow colors are supposed to be, so why was the rainbow so sad? Homer went over for a closer look. That's when he saw the hole in the side of the rainbow and watched as those brilliant colors gushed out onto the ground. After thinking a moment or two, Homer knew exactly what to do. He jammed his oversized tusk into the hole with a powerful thud, stopping the leak immediately! The rainbow praised Homer and Homer was suddenly filled with a great self-confidence. He knew, way down inside his heart, that without his huge tusk the rainbow would have lost its colors before the Dew Fairies could have arrived to help him.

In the end, it was the change in Homer's attitude toward himself that gave him some much needed confidence, and self-confidence is all any of us truly needs to be happy.

This is a wonderful story for small children and teaches some amazing lessons. Highly recommended reading. *****

Reviewed by Ruth Wilson of Huntress Reviews.

Rainbow Rhino is a beautiful book in every sense of the word. Children and adults alike will respond to Mr. Hughes' wonderful illustrations done in beautifully vibrant colors. Children will understand and relate to Homer's problem on a personal level; they will also respond happily to the story's outcome. If you are a parent or grandparent, your children or grandchildren will love having you read this book to them. If you are a teacher, you will find this book to be an excellent resource for a class discussion as well as a wonderful source of descriptive writing using "specific" words. This is a book that will be enjoyed by many; I highly recommend it.

M. Dickerman, Grandparent and Teacher

In this delightful children's tale Homer the Rhino has an oversized tusk and is bullied day after day by all the other children at school. Even though his parents try to comfort him, he is still very sad but then something happens to change his life. Homer loves rainbows and one morning after a rain he saw a beautiful one in the sky. Homer ran out to the rainbow but when he got there the rainbow was crying because there was a big hole in his side and his colors were leaking. Homer thought what to do and finally decided that he could plug up the hole with his oversized tusk until the Fairies could come and fix it. Homer saved the day using the one thing he had, and his act of kindness was rewarded in a very special way.
This is a story for children that shows sometimes what we think is a curse can quickly become a blessing, and that none of us is alike, we each have special qualities that are ours and ours alone, and can be an asset to those around us. It shows children that they should never put themselves down because they might not conform to what others feel is the norm; we all have a place in this world and we all have great worth. The illustrations are wonderful and truly bring the story alive with vivid colors and adorable characters.Children everywhere will enjoy Homer the Rhino as he saves the day.
Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review

This book is sooo inspirational and educational!

It is not only appealing to small children but children and adults of all ages!

Anyone can learn, from this book, the belief that it is alright to be different and to love yourself just as you are.

We all have something special inside of us to share with others and to make a difference in the world around us.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

Poor Homer the Rhino is taunted at school and it seems nothing will make him feel better, that is, until he meets up with a colorful rainbow. Not only is Mr. Fox Hughes a wonderful story teller but he's a talented illustrator. This book is easy to read and understand with vibrant, colorful illustrations. Although it's geared for younger children, my 11 year old daughter cherishes it. Kudos to Fox Hughes!!!

Reviewed by Stephanie, Parish (age 3), and Isaac Rollins(age 1) for Reader Views (7/07)


Homer, a rhino, was homely. He had a big nose. The kids at school teased him. His parents tried to make him feel better about himself. It did not work.

Then, Homer sees a rainbow. He follows it to the end. He was amazed by the bright colors. Mr. Rainbow starts to cry. His tears cause the rainbow colors to run. The rainbow started to fade. Homer butted his large nose into the rainbow. Dew fairies stitch up the rainbow. Homer's nose became rainbow-colored. He became known as the Rainbow Rhino. He felt better about his nose.

Isaac loves the pictures in "Rainbow Rhino." They are bright and exciting. Parish has a fascination with rainbows, so she liked the large colorful rainbows that span across the pages.

"Do you like this book, Parish?"
"No."

"Why not? I thought you liked rainbows."
"I don't know. I just don't like it."

"Would you like to keep this book or give it away?"
"Give it away."

Isaac disagrees. He has flipped through "Rainbow Rhino" for a few times in the last few days. Most of the words are simple. A beginning reader will be able to sound all the words out. Preschoolers and girls who are beginning to read will enjoy "Rainbow Rhino." There is a cute message behind the story.

Book received free of charge