The music turned into color and light and filled the room.   A young boy remembers quietly watching his father read the paper and sip a cup of coffee. He remembers his sweet momma, who lovingly pressed away the wrinkles on his clothes. Then one day, his father is gone and his momma falls ill. But through his love of music he feels his father’s warm hugs and his mother’s kisses. He learns to relax, shine, and dream as the music fills his soul. From four-time Caldecott honoree Bryan Collier comes a moving and gorgeously illustrated exploration of healing the soul through music. K-Gr 3-With tender illustrations conveying deep love and family ties, this book speaks directly to the heart. Collier creates a connection between family love and the power of music, using a refrain of a father's memorable advice in a comforting rhythm: "Leave room for that rainbow to find you. Broken is beautiful." In this context, music is the rainbow that helps guide a lonely young boy, following the death of his mother and his own increasing isolation, through troubled times and bad decisions. Several times, as he is about to embark on true trouble, his father's words wash over him, and he makes different choices. The watercolor paintings and vivid collages give readers a clear picture of the daily struggles and upheaval resulting from an unexpected separation. The illustrations are stunning, and readers will want to spend extra time enjoying their message. An author's note traces Collier's inspiration to three sources: "world-class poet, artist, and activist" Maya Angelou; the well-known poem "The Road Not Taken" by beloved American poet Robert Frost; and supernova Quincy Jones, "a renowned musician, producer, and humanitarian." VERDICT When presented with difficult choices, music provides the focus and motivation for a boy to live up to a father's advice and remember his mother's love in this necessary paean to familial love.-Darby Wallaceα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Praise for Music is a Rainbow : A  Kirkus  Best Book of 2022 " The book’s watchful protagonist moves through the world with an endearing tentativeness , making scenes in which the boy connects clearly to music all the more joyful and hopeful. "― Publishers Weekly  "... a poignant message about the potential of the arts to foster children’s development."― Horn Book "Collier’s portraiture transfixes the reader with the boy’s hesitant and tender gaze throughout. An optimistic ending reassures the reader of the child’s healing connection to music."― Booklist *"A poetic collage of emotion and purpose and a vibrant testament to the power of music ."― Kirkus, starred review Bryan Collier  has illustrated more than thirty-five picture books, including the award-winning  Trombone Shorty ,  Dave the Potter , and  Knock Knock: My Father’s Dream for Me , as well as  City Shapes  and  Fifty Cents and a Dream , and has received four Caldecott Honors and six Coretta Scott King Awards. He lives with his wife and children in Marlboro, New York.