A New Children's Book Supports the World Central Kitchen and COVID-19 Relief Efforts

Kelly Vaughan
·3 min read

All across the world, everyone from healthcare workers to chefs have stepped up to help out those in need during the coronavirus pandemic. In the restaurant industry, one of the most notable leaders was José Andrés, who runs World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving meals to those in need during times of national crises. In partnership with Random House Children's Book, World Central Kitchen has teamed up with 18 renowned artists to create a children's book titled Share Your Rainbow ($7.99, target.com), and the proceeds of the book's sales will go to the nonprofit.

Courtesy of Penguin Random House

"We're very proud to be teaming up with such a talented group of artists to spread an optimistic message and support the vital work World Central Kitchen is doing to fight hunger," says Rotem Moscovich, editorial director at Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers and editor of the book. "At a time of great uncertainty for so many, we're honored to be able to support an organization helping meet people's critical needs as they weather this storm. As dark as things may seem now, Share Your Rainbow reminds us all of the sunny days to come."

Children are encouraged to draw their own rainbows after reading the book, and parents can then share their artwork on social media using the hashtag #ShareMyRainbow. Each illustration in the book features an artists' own interpretation of a rainbow and what they hope for after the "storm" that is the coronavirus pandemic. "From petting other people's dogs and riding a roller coaster to the calm of a warm hug, each illustration represents a wish for the future and includes a hidden rainbow on each page for kids to find," according to a press release for the project.

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Share Your Rainbow—which was first released yesterday, July 7, as an e-book—will be available in paperback form on August 11; the print version features a forward by R.J. Palacio, author of the children's novel Wonder. Participating artists include Brian Biggs, Cátia Chien, Vashti Harrison, Molly Idle, Sarah Jacoby, Claire Keane, Corinna Luyken, Magdalena Mora, Oge Mora, Elise Parsley, Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey, Adam Rex, Isabel Roxas, Laura Vaccaro Seeger, Bob Shea, Lane Smith, Divya Srinivasan, and Shannon Wright.

"We believe a hot plate of food is so much more than just a meal—it's nourishment and it's hope," said Nate Mook, CEO of World Central Kitchen. "We're really thankful for this support from Random House Children's Books. We believe our work across the nation and around the world signals to communities that someone cares about them and that tomorrow will be better—an uplifting message that's also woven throughout Share Your Rainbow."

Since its founding in 2010, World Central Kitchen has served more than 25 million meals to those in need, including over 250,000 meals during the coronavirus pandemic alone.