The Rainbow Cleanup

November 1, 2024
Shearer and Teplin, founders of the Home Edit--a company dedicated to decluttering domestic spaces--offer youngsters guidance on getting organized. When Mia sleeps over at Hannah's house, Hannah's messy room keeps the girls from having fun. Every toy or activity is broken or has missing pieces. A storm rages outside, and the kids find themselves plunged into darkness. They hear voices as storage boxes, clothing, and pieces of furniture come to life and offer to help the girls clean up. Mia suggests, "What if we make your room look like a rainbow?" (The ROYGBIV spectrum is at the heart of the Home Edit.) A list of basic rules appears on a pink piece of notebook paper: "1. Take everything out. 2. Put into piles. 3. Decide what to keep and what to give away. 4. Put things back where they belong." Soon, old clothes and outgrown toys are ready for donation, art supplies have been properly arranged, and colorful storage boxes have been filled and labeled. The detailed digital illustrations are bright, but the rainbow organizational elements don't stand out as they do in the vivid photographs in the authors' adult books. While some parents may be able to use this book as an encouraging nod toward cleanliness, the narrative feels purposeful; it's unlikely most kids will pick this one up on their own. The characters are light-skinned. Some helpful hints about keeping children's rooms neat, but the storytelling falters. (note to parents and caregivers)(Picture book. 5-7)

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