Review Detail

Rain

Kids Fiction 481

Rain is best when safe indoors!

June 07, 2023

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

3.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

Rylant, the author of When the Relatives Came, the Mr. Putter and Tabby books, and a wide variety of middle grade fiction, continues her interest in science and nature evident in her 2017 Life with this interesting exploration of the helpful qualities of rain.

In this lyrical book, we see the various animals and birds waiting for the rain. The squirrels, cats, children, and dogs all come home when they feel it in the air, although the ducks are glad to be out in the wet. Everyone is prepared for the deluge when it comes. The creeks fill up, and the creatures warm in their shelters enjoying watching the rain fall. When the storm has passed, the rain helps plants and trees grow.

Good Points

Congdon's digitally rendered illustratrations have a folk art look to them (I especially loved the end papers!) that is crisp and bright. Her rain drops have a bit of an Eric Carle tissue paper look to them that wsa quite nice.

This would be a great book for a classroom on a gray day with rain pelting at the windows, since it is poetic without being in verse. Find some good rainy day crafts to do, and read this aloud along with Hello, Rain! by Kyo Maclear Worm Weather by Jean Taft and Matt Hunt and Come on, Rain! by Karen Hesse and Jon J. Muth.