For Parents and Carers
Please see a brief description on how Rainbow Roy & Rainbow Rosie can be used at home
A gentle way to talk about big feelings
Rainbow Roy and Rainbow Rosie gives parents a simple, relatable way to start conversations about anxiety and emotions. Instead of asking direct or difficult questions, the story allows children to talk through the characters—making it easier for them to open up about how they’re feeling. It helps normalise emotions and reassures children that worries and anxious thoughts are something everyone experiences.
Practical tools you can use in real moments
This isn’t just a story—it’s something you can use when your child is overwhelmed. The breathing and calming techniques woven into the book can be used at bedtime, before school, or during stressful situations. Because children see the characters using these strategies, they are more likely to remember and try them when they need them most.
Building emotional awareness in a simple, visual way
The use of colour to represent feelings makes emotions easier for children to understand and express. Parents can start using “rainbow language” at home—asking questions like “What colour are you feeling today?”—to help children identify and communicate their emotions without pressure or confusion.
Creating calm, connected moments together
Reading this book together creates a calm and supportive space for connection. It encourages slowing down, being present, and sharing quiet moments, which can be especially valuable in busy or stressful times. These shared experiences help strengthen the parent-child bond and build trust over time.
Encouraging confidence and independence
As children become familiar with the techniques in the story, they begin to feel more in control of their emotions. Over time, they can start to use these strategies independently, giving them a sense of confidence and resilience. It empowers them with tools they can carry into school, friendships, and everyday challenges.
A story that grows with your child
While it’s written for younger readers, the messages in Rainbow Roy and Rainbow Rosie can be revisited again and again as children grow. Each reading can spark new conversations, deeper understanding, and ongoing emotional development—making it a meaningful resource for the whole family.
For Teachers
Please see a brief description on how Rainbow Roy & Rainbow Rosie can be used in the classroom
English
Rainbow Roy and Rainbow Rosie is a rich text for the English K–6 syllabus, supporting outcomes in reading, viewing, speaking, and creating. Through shared reading, students can explore character development, narrative structure, and visual literacy, particularly how illustrations convey emotion and meaning. The book encourages discussion, prediction, and personal response, while also inspiring creative writing tasks where students create their own stories about emotions using colour and imagery.
NSW English K–6 Syllabus: https://curriculum.nsw.edu.au/learning-areas/english/english-k-6-2022
PDHPE (Personal Development, Health and Physical Education)
The book strongly supports PDHPE outcomes related to emotional wellbeing, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills. Students learn to recognise emotions, understand how thoughts influence feelings, and practise evidence-based strategies such as breathing and mindfulness. It aligns with outcomes focused on self-management, help-seeking, and building resilience, making it ideal for explicit wellbeing lessons and ongoing classroom practice.
NSW PDHPE K–10 Syllabus: https://curriculum.nsw.edu.au/learning-areas/pdhpe/pdhpe-k-10-2018
Creative Arts
The vivid, symbolic use of colour throughout the book provides an excellent stimulus for Visual Arts. Students can explore how colour represents emotion and create their own artworks reflecting feelings using different techniques and materials. Drama activities can include role-playing scenes from the story to express emotions physically, while music lessons could explore how sound and rhythm reflect mood. This supports outcomes related to expressing ideas and responding to artworks.
NSW Creative Arts K–6 Syllabus: https://curriculum.nsw.edu.au/learning-areas/creative-arts/creative-arts-k-6-2006
Science and Technology
The book connects to Science through exploration of the human body and emotional responses, particularly how breathing affects heart rate and calmness. In the Living World strand, students can also investigate the Australian flora and fauna featured in the story, including the lorikeet and bush environment. In Technology, students could design simple “calm-down tools” or visual aids inspired by the book.
NSW Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus: https://curriculum.nsw.edu.au/learning-areas/science/science-and-technology-k-6
Geography (HSIE)
Set in the Australian bush, the story provides a meaningful context for exploring natural environments, landscapes, and the interconnection between people and places. Students can identify features of Australian environments, discuss how characters interact with nature, and reflect on caring for wildlife, such as helping the lost lorikeet. This aligns with geographical inquiry skills and understanding of place.
NSW Geography K–10 Syllabus: https://curriculum.nsw.edu.au/learning-areas/hsie/geography-k-10-2015
Mathematics
While not explicitly mathematical, the book can be used as a springboard for activities involving pattern, sequencing, and data representation. For example, students can sequence events in the story, create graphs of emotions using colours, or explore patterns in the rainbow spectrum. These activities support early numeracy skills and help integrate emotional learning into mathematical thinking.
NSW Mathematics K–10 Syllabus: https://curriculum.nsw.edu.au/learning-areas/mathematics/mathematics-k-10-2022
Cross-Curriculum Priorities & General Capabilities
Beyond individual subjects, Rainbow Roy and Rainbow Rosie supports key general capabilities such as Personal and Social Capability, Critical and Creative Thinking, and Ethical Understanding. It fosters empathy, resilience, and reflective thinking, while encouraging students to consider their own emotional responses and those of others. The Australian setting also supports a connection to place, aligning with sustainability and appreciation of the natural environment.
NSW General Capabilities: https://curriculum.nsw.edu.au/teaching-and-learning/general-capabilities
Helpful Questions to spark discussions for Parents & Teachers
🌈 Understanding Feelings
How do you think Rainbow Roy was feeling at the start of the story?
Have you ever felt like that before? What happened?
What colour do you think those feelings would be?
What colour are you feeling today?
☁️ Talking About Anxiety (“Cloudy Thoughts”)
What do you think Roy’s “thought cloud” means?
Do you ever have thoughts that feel big or a bit scary?
What do your thoughts feel like when you’re worried?
If your thoughts were a cloud, what would they look like?
💛 Problem Solving & Coping
What helped Rainbow Roy feel calmer?
Which part helped him the most, do you think?
What could you try next time you feel worried or upset?
Should we practise one of the breathing techniques together?
🤝 Friendship & Support
How did Rainbow Rosie help her friend?
Who do you talk to when you feel worried or upset?
How can we help someone else if they’re feeling sad or anxious?
What makes a good friend?
🐦 Story Reflection
Why do you think helping the lorikeet was important?
How did the characters change from the beginning to the end?
What was your favourite part of the story? Why?
🌿 Bringing It Into Everyday Life
When do you think you might need to use these calming ideas?
What can we do at home when we start to feel overwhelmed?
Would you like to make your own “rainbow feelings chart”?
What helps you feel safe and calm?
✨ Gentle, Open-Ended Prompts
Tell me about a time you felt really happy/sad/worried.
What helps you feel better when you’re having a hard day?
If you could give Rainbow Roy advice, what would you say?