Yesterday, when I took these pictures, it was scorching hot, too hot even for Laurel to stand in the sun for better lighting. Today, it was only 80 degrees, so here in Florida that means goodbye to summer. And, subsequently, goodbye to the rainbow dress until next spring. This basic yoke is still rather large for her, so it’s likely that it can be worn through next September.
This frock is all about summer.  Florida’s summer afternoon rainstorms are often followed by spectacular rainbows, much to the delight of children who have been called in from the pool.  The fabric is pale yellow Imperial broadcloth,  smocked with Martha Pullen’s 20+ years old design, “Over a Rainbow.” The cuffed sleeve and collar are self piped.
It was made 25 years ago for Laurel’s Aunt Rebecca, my daughter. Thankfully, my skills have improved since then. But Rebecca loved this dress, requiring the hem to be dropped and for pin tucks to be stitched to cover the crease.
The only thing that makes this dress remarkable is the remark Laurel makes when she wears it. “I love this dress, Nana,” she tells me, every single time, just like Rebecca did. Her mother loves it, too, as it comes right out of the dryer and onto a hanger, ready to wear.
Yesterday, when she wore this dress to our homeschool class, we counted the stripes in the rainbow and discussed the Bible story, Noah’s Ark. A wonderful literary companion to that tale is Shel Silverstein’s poem “The Unicorn,” from his book, Where the Sidewalk Ends. Laurel loves that poem about as much as the dress. I highly recommend that this book for all parents and grandparents.
In a melodious combination of rhythm and rhyme, Silverstein recounts  God’s call to Noah.
- “He says  ‘Hey Brother Noah, I’ll tell ya whatcha do.
- Go and build me a floatin’ zoo.
- And you take two alligators, and a couple of geese,
- Two hump bumpy camels and two chimpanzees.
- Take two catsandratsandelephants, but sure as you’re born,
- Noah, don’t you forget my Unicorn.’ “
The poem tells  how Noah successfully loaded up all the animal pairs, except for the unicorns who were hiding and playing silly games. They refused to board the ark and, with the rain pelting down,  the doors were closed without them. After the floodwaters receded, Silverstein explains,
- “You’ll see a lot of alligators and a whole mess of geese.
- You’ll see humpy, bumpy camels and lots of chimpanzees.
- You’ll see catasandratsandelephants, but sure as you’re born
- You’re never gonna see no Unicorn.'”
As popular as rainbows are with children, you will find an eager audience if you read this aloud to your favorite youngsters.
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