Rain Before Rainbows: questions to ask and activities to try
There's always rain before rainbows. A girl and her fox travel from darkness towards light in Rain Before Rainbows, a picture book about hope through hard times.
What age is it for? Rain Before Rainbows is best for ages 3–7. Good for: Hope through hard times.
Rain Before Rainbows (Smriti Halls and David Litchfield)
- Age
- 3-7
- Best for
- Hope through hard times
Read it slowly and watch the colours change. Talk about hard times, and who helps us through them.
What it helps with
- Hope after hard times
- Support from others
- Change and uncertainty
- Calm, poetic language
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “How did the girl feel at the start?”
- “Who travelled with her?”
- “Who helped on the way?”
- “How did the pictures change?”
- “What’s your rainbow after rain?”
- “Who helps you in hard times?”
5-minute activities to try together
Rainbow walk
After rain, go out and look for puddles, light and maybe a rainbow.
Hope jar
Write hopeful things on paper and keep them in a jar.
Free printables: Rain Before Rainbows worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
Beneath (Cori Doerrfeld)
- Best for
- Feelings hidden beneath the surface
- Age
- 3-7
When Sadness Comes to Call (Eva Eland)
- Best for
- Welcoming sadness and letting it be
- Age
- 3-7
The Rabbit Listened (Cori Doerrfeld)
- Best for
- Sitting with difficult feelings
- Age
- 4-8
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.