7 Picture Books About April Showers

Who Likes Rain?, by Wong Herbert Yee
The worms like rain. The frogs do, too. Even the fish and the “quack-quack” duck find purpose and joy in the pitty-plip-PLOP and pitty-pat-SPLAT of the rain. This interactive question-and-answer-style book, starring one very curious little girl, will delight and teach young readers all about who does (and doesn’t) like the rain.

Little Cloud, by Eric Carle
Little Cloud is different than the other clouds in the sky. He likes to goes off on his own and change into all sorts of shapes. But Little Cloud also wants to enjoy the company of friends. So one day he decides to join the group and together they form one giant cloud—to create rain.

The Rain Stomper, by Addie Boswell and Eric Velasquez
Jazmin is sad that the rainstorm will ruin her baton-twirling parade plans. But instead of moping around at home, she goes outside and challenge the rain—shaking, splashing, jumping, stomping, and, ultimately, performing for the whole neighborhood.

Let it Rain, by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Signs of spring are all around us. The snow has melted, the flowers are blooming, and daily sprinkles water the ground. We say, “let it rain!”

Rain!, by Linda Ashman and Christian Robinson
While one little boy soaks up the excitement and promise in one rainy day, a grumpy man, across town, mumbles, grumbles, and complains. The boy happily hops in puddles and the man angrily avoids them. But maybe the boy’s innocent cheer could help inspire some spontaneous joy in a grouchy older guy.

Umbrella, by Taro Yashima
Young Momo is excited to use the shiny new red boots and umbrella she got for her birthday. But, first, she must wait for it to rain. And when the big day finally arrives, Momo is ready to face the elements and exert some independence. This sweet book has an important message about patience and determination.

And Then It’s Spring, by Julie Fogliano and Erin E. Stead
It was a long, hard, snowy winter, and one young boy and his dog are ready for warmer, brighter, greener days. So they decide to plant a garden. But planting a garden takes time and patience—and they must wait. After it rains, the brown ground becomes a more “hopeful, possible sort of brown,” an optimistic sign that spring is on the horizon.