A Place for Rain

December 4, 2023
This upbeat problem-solving story starts as rain begins to fall in a neighborhood portrayed with colorblock buildings. Gómez (Very Good Hats) renders children of various skin tones in the windows of a yellow school bus, like wooden dolls gazing out at the downpour. Elsewhere, a child pedestrian with brown skin gazes into a gutter, where “oil and grime and mud” from the street wash into waterways, “clogging rivers, ponds, and lakes.” Is there a way to “lessen all this mess? YES!” reads a page showing a queue of schoolchildren alongside a rain-slickered adult. The kids roll a rain barrel to catch water from the school’s downspout (“Water saved for droughty days”), then engineer a stream for the overflow to run into a “spongy, pooling place.” The saucer of land is next planted with native varieties that have “tough, thick roots” and “filter out that grime and soil” as the rain percolates into the ground and attracts new wildlife. Schaub (Kindness is a Kite String) uses onomatopoeia (“Plink. Plip. Plop.”) and emphatic statements (“FLOOD!”) to convey the feel of water’s halt and flow in this low-tech guide to rain gardens. Further instructions conclude. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Lisa Amstutz, Storm Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House.

March 15, 2024
Why and how to make a rain garden. Having watched through their classroom window as a "rooftop-rushing, gutter-gushing" downpour sloppily flooded their streets and playground, several racially diverse young children follow their tan-skinned teacher outside to lay out a shallow drainage ditch beneath their school's downspout, which leads to a patch of ground, where they plant flowers ("native ones with tough, thick roots," Schaub specifies) to absorb the "mucky runoff" and, in time, draw butterflies and other wildlife. The author follows up her lilting rhyme with more detailed explanations of a rain garden's function and construction, including a chart to help determine how deep to make the rain garden and a properly cautionary note about locating a site's buried utility lines before starting to dig; she concludes with a set of leads to online information sources. G�mez goes more for visual appeal than realism. In her scenes, a group of smiling, round-headed, very small children in rain gear industriously lay large stones along a winding border with little apparent effort; nevertheless, her images of the little ones planting generic flowers that are tall and lush just a page turn later do make the outdoorsy project look like fun. Enticing and eco-friendly. (Picture book. 5-7)

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September 13, 2024

PreS-Gr 2-A delightful and educational exploration of the vital role that rain plays in the ecosystem and in communities. A lyrical text, enriched with sound descriptions and playful rhymes, draws young readers into the rhythmic world of rainfall. The use of simple sentences and repeated phrases makes this book particularly accessible for early readers, allowing them to engage with the story effortlessly. Vibrant illustrations are a feast for the eyes. With their 2D geometric style and bright colors, the visuals not only capture the beauty of rain but also highlight its impact on the environment. Every page is a celebration of nature, showcasing how rain impacts our cities, nourishes plants, supports pollinators, and contributes to the overall health of the community. The narrative follows a group of schoolchildren who take proactive steps to manage rainwater effectively. They collect water in barrels, build trenches to direct it safely, and plant vegetation to absorb excess moisture. This hands-on approach not only empowers young readers but also instills a sense of responsibility toward their environment. In addition to the engaging story line, the volume includes factual information aimed at older readers, teaching them about the concept of rain gardens and sustainable practices. This blend of storytelling and education makes the book an excellent resource for classrooms and homes alike. VERDICT A charming and informative read that promotes environmental stewardship. With its rhythmic text and captivating illustrations, this book is a wonderful addition to library collections.-Haley Amendt

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2024
During a downpour, the rain "stirs up oil / and grime / and mud. / ...Where do you suppose / all that mucky runoff goes?" This book embraces rainy days and an optimistic outlook about conserving water. Subtly textured illustrations made of crisp shapes demonstrate how a classroom makes a rain garden to utilize runoff; back matter includes detailed information on how readers can build their own.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)