A new picture book set for release in early 2026 aims to help young readers explore colour not only as a visual concept, but as an emotional experience.
Rainbow Colors, written by Yvonne Pearson and illustrated by Carole Chevalier, will be published by The Collective Book Studio on Jan. 27, 2026. The hardcover title is priced at $17.95 and is positioned as an interactive read-aloud designed to build colour recognition while encouraging children to connect hues with feelings and meaning.
The book uses a guessing-game format that prompts children to identify a colour based on descriptive clues before it is revealed on the page. Through examples drawn from nature and everyday life—ranging from cardinals and carrots to oceans and amethysts—young readers are guided through a sensory journey that links colour to mood and imagination.
“What color is cheerful, or calm, or full of mystery?” the book asks, framing colour as a way for children to interpret the world around them. Each spread is structured to support participation, inviting readers to engage with the text and visuals through prediction and discovery.
Pearson said the book was created to highlight the deeper associations children can develop through colour exploration.
“Colors are rich with possibility. They carry emotion, memory, and story,” says Pearson. “Rainbow Colors encourages kids to explore that connection with wonder and joy–and suggests that children, like colors, can come together to make something new.”
In addition to its educational goals, Rainbow Colors emphasizes design and tactile presentation. The publisher describes the book as featuring bold, textured illustrations and a sculptural, embossed aesthetic paired with a hand-lettered cover. The visual approach is intended to elevate concept learning into a more immersive artistic experience, appealing to parents and educators looking for books that combine early learning with high-quality design.
The book is being marketed as a fit for both early STEM and social-emotional learning (SEL), with a focus on expanding descriptive language and emotional vocabulary. By pairing colour terms with feelings and sensory cues, the book supports early literacy development while reinforcing foundational concepts used in classroom discussions about emotion and expression.
The release adds to Pearson’s growing list of children’s titles. She is the author of Little Loon Finds His Voice, which was named a Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year (STEM Selection) and received a Silver award in the PubWest Book Design Awards. The book also earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. Pearson’s other works include Sadie Braves the Wilderness (2017) and Too Many Hugs (2023).
Pearson lives in Minneapolis, Minn., where she enjoys hiking, quilting, and spending time with her grandchildren. More information about the author is available through her website.
Chevalier, the book’s illustrator, is a French graphic designer known for bright, playful visuals and a colourful style. Based in Brittany, France, she works on children’s books and kid-focused products, and also creates lettering, book covers, and branding. She previously lived in North Wales for more than five years, where she began her career.
The publisher says Rainbow Colors is designed for use across multiple settings, from classroom instruction and group story time to quiet reading at home. With its emphasis on emotion, observation, and participation, the book is positioned as a tool for helping children connect art and science through a familiar topic—colour—while adding an element of personal reflection.
As publishers continue to expand offerings that blend educational themes with strong visual storytelling, Rainbow Colors enters a competitive market for concept-driven picture books. Its approach—using tactile design and lyrical language to connect colour with feeling—targets families and educators seeking interactive titles that support both learning and creativity.
Whether read aloud or explored independently, Rainbow Colors aims to encourage children to see the world one hue at a time, and to recognize that colours can represent more than what meets the eye.
