By: Kelly Bennett
Publisher: Young Dragons Press
Publication Date: July 22, 2025
ISBN: 978-1633739338
Reviewed by: Lily Andrews
Review Date: November 3, 2025
What can a simple, broken kite teach us about freedom? In Rainbow Kite, a joyfully imaginative and empowering picture book by Kelly Bennett, a young child named Lulu finds an answer that soars beyond the page. This vibrant book is a heartwarming celebration of the freedom that comes from being proudly, authentically yourself.
This story starts on a quiet, breezy day. Lulu wasn’t planning on any adventures but then she saw it- a lonely kite, dancing in the wind all by itself. Its string was broken and its tail was just a wisp. But the kite didn’t want to be saved, instead it wanted a friend! When Lulu reached out, the kite suddenly became her playful new pet, tugging and bouncing like a puppy. It wasn’t just a kite anymore, but a magic key that would unlock her imagination, where she could be anything she dared to visualize.
Soon, other kids noticed Lulu playing with her amazing kite. They had always heard there were rules about what to play and how. But when they asked Lulu questions, she didn’t argue. She just smiled and showed them a world where you could imagine anything! The plain kite was now transformed into a rainbow-feathered bird, buzzing with energy, ready to fly higher than ever. Lulu held the string tightly. She knew that letting it go would be the start of something brand new… but what would happen next?
This is a unique book that gently reveals the beauty and fun of being authentic. The writing is lyrical and playful, full of sounds and a rhythm that dances off the tongue. The art is vibrant and full of motions, beautifully mirroring the kite’s many transformations as well as the growing joy on the children’s faces. The kite feels like a silent, shape-shifting main character, from the time it sets the entire story into motion, to when it becomes a visual representation of Lulu’s changing emotions and thoughts. Its “character arc” goes from being lost and plain to being found and magnificent, a journey that is made possible by the freedom and love bestowed upon it by a child who dares to see its potential.
Quill says: Rainbow Kite is a unique book that young readers, especially those who have been silenced with ‘that’s for boys’ or ‘that’s for girls,’ will find as lovely as a warm hug. Its sounds are infectious and readers may likely chant along. It’s the kind they will want to revisit just to soak in its happy, bustling pictures. Their impression will be one of pure, uncomplicated joy, with the subconscious understanding that it’s more fun to be yourself than to fit into someone else’s box. The final feeling will undoubtedly be the one printed on the cover: a desire to “Be Bold. Be You. Fly Free.” This is a highly recommended addition to your child’s library.
For more information about Rainbow Kite, please visit the author's website at: kellybennett.com/