Confetti and the Rainbow Garden (Shane Jenek, illus Dylan Finney, Pantera)

Confetti and the Rainbow Garden is a heartwarming debut picture book written by drag artist and LGBTQI+ advocate Shane Jenek, also known as Courtney Act, and illustrated by Dylan Finney. The story follows a young sapling named Confetti who is learning where they belong in Nan’s colourful garden alongside their five cousins. Confetti wonders how they fit into such a diverse family and what colour their flowers will be when they bloom. The story’s most powerful message is that everyone deserves the freedom to be who they want to be – a message Jenek has consistently promoted for years across various art forms. Finney’s illustrations create a vibrant and evocative visual experience, telling a rich story through colour. With nods to Australian flora and fauna throughout, the artwork adds a sense of familiar warmth to the narrative. Confetti and the Rainbow Garden is a celebration of diverse lives coming together, with multiple moments to spark meaningful conversations about identity, belonging and feeling different with children aged 3–8. The book offers an inspiring reminder for children – and adults – that though we are beautiful on our own, together we are part of a radiant rainbow.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Bohdi Byles is a queer, Indigenous freelance reviewer with a background in bookselling, library work, publishing and writing. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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