Reading for a Rainy Day

Float, by Daniel Miyares
Miyares, who brought us Pardon Me, has created another instant classic in Float, a wondrous story of a little boy dancing in a deluge. After laughing and playing in the puddles, the boy sets his beloved newspaper boat afloat in a gutter stream, and it’s quickly out of of sight. What ensues is a magical journey that communicates great depth and meaning to all readers without using a single word. You and your little ones will be w-awe-shed away–I promise!

Blue on Blue, by Dianne White and Beth Krommes
Nature can be rough, but it can also be rich and rewarding to those who acknowledge the necessity and beauty of a storm. From the first rumbles of thunder to the wonderfully messy mud after the downpour, the farming family in Blue on Blue is weathering this storm. The rhythm of the rain is conveyed through poetic text, and the vivid artwork is a celebration of spring’s most thrilling moments.

Should You Be a River: A Poem About Love, by Ed Young
Seamlessly integrating the four elements of nature: earth, wind, fire, and water, Young brings us an extraordinary meditation on unconditional love in Should You Be a River. His visually stunning illustrations feature calligraphy and torn paper cutouts, and his evocative prose will echo long after the book is put back on the shelf (“Should you be a waterfall/I’ll scream when you plunge.”). Young has created a dizzying, modern masterpiece for all to enjoy.

Where Does Kitty Go in the Rain?, by Harriet Ziefert and Brigette Barrager
Where Does Kitty Go in the Rain? To the place where fact, fiction, and a rousing kitty mystery meet, of course! Filled with charming, lilting prose, and illustrations oozing with vintage appeal, you and your little ones will instantly fall for this story, which will not only leave you with fond memories, but also many fun facts for a rainy day.

This is Sadie, by Sarah O’Leary and Julie Morstad
Sadie might be little, but she is filled with ideas. For her, the world is full of possibility and opportunity—from under the sea to the tops of mountains—and cushions are castles and boats. A rainy day is the perfect opportunity to introduce your family to Sadie—your little readers’ imaginations will never be the same!

Raindrops Roll, by April Pulley Sayre
In this gorgeous, photo-illustrated book, Sayre illuminates the wonder of rain and the water cycle for the youngest readers. Indeed, the rhymes may be playful (“Raindrop spangles/ mark angles./ They cling to curves/ and cover cocoons”), but chances are you’ll learn something new along the way too!
What are your favorite rainy day reads?