picture-books

Rainy Day Readers

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Rain Rain Rivers Written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz c1969 Farrar, Straus and Giroux : New York

Classic Picture Books Celebrating Rain

When rain begins in the city, a child imagines it falling in the hills, on ponds and streams, and rushing in rivers to the sea. This simple story builds appreciation for a day of gentle rain. What sights, sounds, and scents are to be experienced?

Rain Rain Rivers was named a New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of the Year. Perfect for 4 to 8-year-olds.

Peter Spier’s Rain Illustrated by Peter Spier c1982 Doubleday : New York

A brother and sister have an adventure exploring their neighborhood in the pouring rain. This wordless picture book can be “read” by children ages 4 and up. Copies of this book are available from Thriftbooks and other used book vendors. It can also be accessed on Internet Archive. It is well worth scouting out a copy!

Where Do They Go When it Rains Written and illustrated by Gerda Muller c 2010, later editions 2021. Floris Books : Edinburgh

Have you ever wondered what butterflies do when it rains? Where do the baby ducklings go? Two young twins accompanied by an older friend explore their wet country world during a rainstorm. A simple text is wonderfully illustrated by Dutch artist Gerda Muller. She has illustrated over 100 books for children, and is well known for her detailed and beautiful depictions of the natural world. Many of her books are available from Floris Books. I featured some of her titles at every book fair.

A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman c1966 Published by Viking Press / Puffin Books

This Preschool to Kindergarten classic is always a hit at story time. The idea of having a rainbow to play with for a while is very appealing. How the boy in the story ends up with a rainbow of his own is a sweet surprise at the end. I always sent the children off with a rainbow picture to color.

Thunder Cake Written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco c1990 Philomel Books Paperback edition c1997 Puffin Books

I have reviewed this book in one of my early posts, but it belongs here as well. A young girl is afraid of the loud thunder heralding the approach of a storm. Her grandmother distracts her by getting her to help her assemble the ingredients and bake a genuine Thunder Cake. Getting busy is a wonderful cure for fears. The recipe is included in the book and there are amazing photos of Thunder cakes readers have made on the internet. A delicious story indeed!

A Drop of Water by Walter Wick c1997 Scholastic Press : New York

For those who might prefer a non-fiction title, A Drop Of Water is just the thing. Walter Wick is known for his clear and eye catching photographs. This 40 page book introduces readers aged 4-to-8 to the science of water in its various states. Simple experiments help students explore ice, steam, evaporation and other concepts. The photos definitely do steal the show.

A Pile of Picture Books For Ages 3-5

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Colors: A First Art Book by Lucy Micklethwait c2005 by Frances Lincoln Limited : London

It is going to be very hot here today, and the city recommends the libraries as a good place to cool off. Can’t think of a better thing to do than bring out some picture books and settle in for the afternoon. I use age guidelines loosely, as I enjoy a good picture book and it has been a very long time indeed since I was in Mrs. Cook’s kindergarten room. The titles today will eventually be on Book List #2 as a page. Preschool picture books should be eye catching, have few or, in the case of this first title, no characters. There should be repetition, a rhythm to the story, and simple themes. Color books, ABC books, Counting Books, all are welcome, and books that the child can enjoy quietly and alone will build attention spans and prepare the way for reading. Let’s get started…..

In Lucy Micklethwait’s book children are introduced to colors through works of art. After your child has identified the colors in the paintings, a conversation could start about the painting. What is going on in the picture? Who are the people? How would that fruit taste? What sound does that owl make? What other things are yellow?

View from Satta in Suruga Province by Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858) Woodblock Print

A picture list is included at the end of the book. Lots to see here!

Bruno Munari’s ABC by Bruno Munari c1960 This edition published 2006 by Chronicle Books : San Francisco Bruno Munari’s Zoo by Bruno Munari c1963 This edition published 2005 by Chronicle Books : San Francisco

These two oversized picture books by Italian graphic designer Munari bring bold art and humor home to roost. In the ABC book, The page for L depicts a simple green leaf, a long leaf, and a little leaf, and a bright, large lemon. V shows us a Vertical, Violet, Violin with a tiny fly on a Voyage. The illustrations are double-page spreads with plenty of white space around the objects. In the Zoo book, birds are shown seeking shelter from the rain under a double-wide elephant. An arrow sign directing the zoo visitor to the birds points up. There are signs for the monkeys, flamingos, snakes, and ferocious animals. Readers are told that the humpy camel has a seat for them, a spiky porcupine loses himself among equally spiky grasses. Both books are a delight to peruse and will enjoy many return visits from your youngsters.

In the Garden: Who’s Been Here? by Lindsay Barret George c2006 HarperCollins Children’s Books : New York

Two children are sent to the garden by their mother to pick vegetables on a moist summer morning. A walk down the row of tomato plants reveals a nibbled leaf. Readers turn the page to find that a tomato hornworm is the culprit. A crow has been pecking kernels of corn, and a woodchuck has found the carrots. This large format book is a colorful introduction to the garden and its critters. An information page at the back gives a few facts about each animal or insect mentioned in the text. Read this before a visit to your local farmers market.

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey c1948 The Viking Press : New York

The blueberries are ripening as we speak, and youngsters are looking forward to hearing the kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk of the berries landing in their tin pails. You know this classic summer story about Sal and Little Bear who both love blueberries. July is the time to share this book with somebody, perhaps with some blueberry pie or muffins on the side.

Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes c2011 HarperCollins : New York

As little white rabbit hopped along he wondered what it would be like to be green like the grass, or tall like a fir tree. He wondered what it would be like to be still like a rock, unable to move. This very short and simple story is perfect for the youngest listener, and joins many other titles by Kevin Henkes who understands story time very well. If you visit his website at kevinhenkes.com you can hear him read aloud to children.

Gregory, the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat Illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. c1980 Scholastic Inc.: New York

Gregory the goat’s parents think he is a fussy eater. Here are the author’s words:

“I’m not fussy,” said Gregory.”I just want fruits, vegetables. eggs, fish, bread, and butter. Good stuff like that.”

Mother Goat stopped eating the shoe. “Now what kind of food is that, Gregory?” she said.

“It’s what I like,” said Gregory.

“It’s revolting,” said Father Goat. He wiped his mouth with his napkin.

Can a bit of reverse psychology help cure a picky eater at your house? My kindergarten students loved hearing about Gregory learning to try new things, like scrambled eggs with a side of waxed paper.

Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban with illustrations by Garth Williams c1960 HarperCollins : New York

What delaying tactics are employed when bedtime arrives at your house? Frances the badger knows them all. Longer summer days and warm weather are not conducive to snuggling down and getting to sleep. This bedtime classic will help with any fears of the dark for your not-sleepy-yets.

Mrs. McNosh and Friends—-Books to Share with Ages 3-5

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Mrs.McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash by Sarah Weeks with illustrations by Nadine Bernard Westcott c1998 Harper Collins

Here are a few books that four and five-year-old children enjoyed at story time. Most of them are suitable for younger children as well. My story programs with the four-year-old group lasted for 20 minutes and usually included some attention building nursery rhymes that might be sung or had accompanying actions. Today’s titles will appear on a longer reading list as a page soon, but with just the titles and authors, which should make it easy to print the list should anyone wish to. Picture books for older children will have their own lists, so stick around!

Mrs. McNosh does a big wash every Monday morning. Here are the author’s words:

“It takes her all morning, and when the sun’s high, she hangs what she’s washed on the clothesline to dry.”

Once Mrs. McNosh gets going there is no stopping her. All sorts of things besides laundry begin to appear. The dog, with his dish takes his place on the line, then a lamp, next two bats, which get hung upside-down. This brief, rhyming story will probably need to be read again because your audience will want more.

Wow! Said the Owl written and illustrated by Tim Hopgood c2009 Farrar, Straus and Giroux : New York

When a little owl decides to stay awake during the day, she experiences awe as colorful butterflies, green leaves, blue skies, and fluffy white clouds appear. The double page spreads in this book provide luscious expanses of bright color which just might elicit a “wow!” from viewers. Follow it up with a discussion of colors your audience has noticed indoors and out, and some paper and crayons.

Minerva Louise written and illustrated by Janet Morgan Stoeke c1988 Penguin Young Readers : New York

Minerva Louise is a curious chicken. The house with the red curtains attracts her, so when a window is left open she decides to investigate. Since she is a creature of the farmyard, she is confused by some of the things found in a house. Could logs laid for a fire in the fireplace be a cozy nest? A tricycle looks like a tractor to Minerva Louise, and a flowered bedspread must be a meadow of flowers, that cat sleeping on the sofa could only be a cow…The large, simple pictures and brief text make this suitable for very young children. There are more stories featuring the adventures of Minerva Louise, and they are all just as funny and full of charm.