This was adorable! The illustrations were super cute and I loved loved loved the use of the Trans flag! This is a cute way to begin introducing diversity and inclusion to littles before they really understand what it means to be LGBTQIA+ . My 2.5yo thought this book was so fun and had me read it to her a few times in one sitting. She loved the rainbow sheep and kept going “look rainbow mama, rainbow sheep.”

I love this book!!! It's really simple in terms of writing, but that makes this a great book for a wider age range of kids. The plot and the way it developed and grew over the course of the story was absolutely perfect! The author accurately showed how a community can change for the better and the resulting benefits of it. However, Hayward did this in an age-appropriate way that is easy for little ones to understand and follow. Additionally, the main characters of Ricky and Rainbow had much personality without saying much. Their uniqueness and confidence is infectious, and many readers will feel inspired to be themselves, with authenticity and courage. As for the illustrations: they started out a bit more simple, and increasingly more color got added as the story progressed. This relates to my earlier point of this book's impressively seamless development. Lastly, I love how the illustrator weaved in various pride flags towards the end of the story!! This is so important for little ones to see in order for them to build understanding and empathy skills, and it also allows them to feel seen if they identify with the queer community. Bravo!!

I received an electronic ARC from Broadleaf Books through NetGalley.
Readers meet a flock of sheep who do absolutely everything together. One day a disrupter arrives and chooses to be themself. Others find the courage to change how they look and what they do so they no longer conform to the status quo. A gentle way to introduce being yourself to young and not so young readers. The message shines through the simple illustrations and text. The story can be applied to such a broad field that it will fit for different situations at all ages.

Ricky lived with a flock of sheep who always were the same: wearing the same 'clothes', eating/sleeping at the same time, and baaa-ing at the same time. Until one day, Rainbow comes along, a sheep who is different from all the rest. Rainbow inspires other sheep to express themselves and embrace their differences, whatever they may be.
I thought that this book was a good representation of being proud to be different and not following what others want to maintain expectations, especially for a younger audience. The illustrations were simple in a way that paired nicely with the text, and emphasized what mattered - the story's message. I also picked up on the different colors of the sheep's wool (rainbow and pink/blue/white), and the subtext the author was trying to have with LGBTQIA+ identities. While I would love to buy this book for my shelves to represent diverse opinions (and because more LGBTQIA+ books need to be represented), I do wonder what pushback may be received from conservative communities about the nature of the colors of the sheep (though it is obviously a biased and baseless problem).

It’s so important to teach and advocate for inclusivity, especially given what’s happening in the world right now especially USA. Everyone deserves the right to be themselves without fear or discrimination. Books like this play a crucial role in spreading awareness, fostering empathy, and inspiring change. Thank you for writing this and contributing to a more accepting and compassionate world.

As a mother of two, we absolutely loved The Rainbow Sheep by David Hayward! The story follows Rainbow, a sheep who doesn’t conform to the flock and prefers to do things their own way. My kids couldn’t stop laughing when they saw the hangers with all the sheep’s wool hanging up. As a parent, I appreciated how one of the sheep, Ricky, chose to befriend Rainbow, despite the rest of the flock wanting to cast Rainbow aside. It can be hard to stand out from the crowd, but we all feel different at times, and sometimes all it takes is one person to validate those feelings. The illustrations were perfect for the story, and my children and I had fun spotting the different colors each sheep chose. This book is a beautiful reminder to celebrate our differences and embrace what makes us unique. I would highly recommend it to any family with elementary-age kids!

Thank you to NetGalley and beaming books for this eARC!

It's hard to be the only one who's different, but it's easier when people are open minded enough to try their own style. Sometimes they just need a good example like the rainbow sheep to have the courage they need.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

The Rainbow Sheep by David Hayward is for everyone! This story celebrates inclusion, self-acceptance and the joys of being different. You'll meet a flock of sheep as they work together to understand the newest member, Rainbow. Rainbow helps the group understand that everyone can be different and act different and still be friends in a community. This is a terrific book to open discussions for young scholars.. Thank you Broadleaf Books and NetGalley for the advance digital copy. I will be ordering this book to share with friends and will be adding a copy to my Little Free Library.