The Rainbow Snail - A Picture Book That Teaches Little Ones About Colours

By Karin Åkesson | Author, Guest Blog

The Rainbow Snail is my first children's book and combines a few of my favourite things: rainbows, nature and bold colours! The book is a young children's picture book that teaches little ones about different colours.

I have been working as an illustrator since I graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2003 and my designs have always put an emphasis on the sunny things in life.

I run my own design company, Karin Åkesson Design, together with my husband David. We produce wall art and gifts for children, and our collection includes wall prints, placemats, textiles, coasters, greeting cards and children’s wear all designed by myself and made and printed in the UK.

Rainbows are a reoccurring theme in my work. Rainbows are such a symbol of hope and are much loved by both children and adults. I believe rainbows bring joy and magic to all, they need both rain and sunshine, just like real life.

Like all my work, the Rainbow Snail is inspired by my own two children. The snail character started out as a print with a regular snail which had a yellow circle instead of the rainbow, for my son Emil. The snail was a well-loved character in our print collection but the snail had more to give. In lockdown when we were surrounded by rainbows and inspired by my daughter who loves everything with rainbows, the snail grew into the Rainbow Snail!

My publisher Boxer Books came across my work with the rainbow snail print when I was trading at our market stall at Old Spitalfield Market in East London and it felt like a natural process for the Rainbow Snail to grow into a picture book.

The book is perfect for teaching children the colours of the rainbow and to look at and appreciate the little things around us!

You can purchase a copy of The Rainbow Snail here!