Cotten, Cynthia. Rain Play. Illustrated by Javka Steptoe. Henry Holt & Company, 2008. 32 pages. $16,95, ISBN 978-8050-6795-8
AGE LEVEL
1 and 2 year-olds
GENRE
Picture book
REVIEW
As this rhyming story begins, a group of children are playing at a park playground. Suddenly, the sky grows dark and the weather changes. Cotten writes, "Rain begins. Cools our skins. Raindrops splatter. People scatter." The children continue playing for a while, stomping in puddles and making boats, among other things. But when the storm begins in earnest, Dad appears in his car to scoop up his children and take them home. The painted paper collage illustrations in this book are quite striking and the illustrator has achieved interesting shading effects, it appears by possibly wrinkling the paper at some point in the creative process. The text per page is minimal, yet rhythmic and descriptive. For example, "Make a boat. Watch it float. A leaf's a cup. Fill it up." For its stunning visuals and brief text that moves the story along like poetry, this book is a great pick for 1 and 2 year-olds.
LIBRARY PROGRAMMING IDEAS
Share this story aloud at toddler storytime along with some nonfiction books about rain and storms.
AGE LEVEL
1 and 2 year-olds
GENRE
Picture book
REVIEW
As this rhyming story begins, a group of children are playing at a park playground. Suddenly, the sky grows dark and the weather changes. Cotten writes, "Rain begins. Cools our skins. Raindrops splatter. People scatter." The children continue playing for a while, stomping in puddles and making boats, among other things. But when the storm begins in earnest, Dad appears in his car to scoop up his children and take them home. The painted paper collage illustrations in this book are quite striking and the illustrator has achieved interesting shading effects, it appears by possibly wrinkling the paper at some point in the creative process. The text per page is minimal, yet rhythmic and descriptive. For example, "Make a boat. Watch it float. A leaf's a cup. Fill it up." For its stunning visuals and brief text that moves the story along like poetry, this book is a great pick for 1 and 2 year-olds.
LIBRARY PROGRAMMING IDEAS
Share this story aloud at toddler storytime along with some nonfiction books about rain and storms.
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