First Rain

by Charlotte Herman, Kathryn Mitter (Illustrator)

Overview

Abby and her parents have moved to Israel, where they've always dreamed of living. Abby's excited about her new home, but she misses her grandma. As they exchange letters and emails, Abby tells about her new life-learning Hebrew, eating falafel, and floating in the Dead Sea. And through the long dry summer, as she looks forward to the first rain of autumn, she misses how she and Grandma used to splash and play on rainy days. Finally, one morning, Abby hears the long-awaited ping ping ping on the roof. And then something even more wonderful happens. Kathryn Mitter's bright paintings perfectly complement Charlotte Herman's appealing story of the love between a grandma and a little girl.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807593950
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	03/01/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	10 MB
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

When she's not illustrating, Kathryn Mitter enjoys gardening, hiking, and watercolor painting, especially painting outdoors. Kathryn has illustrated many magazine stories and children's books. Kathryn lives in Missouri.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 1–3—When Abby and her parents depart for their new home in Israel, the rain mirrors the girl's sadness in leaving her beloved grandmother. They keep in touch through phone calls, emails, and letters. Abby shares everyday experiences like going on a tiyul (hike) and buying the freshest dates and figs at the shuk (marketplace). Their letters to one another are incorporated into the artwork, and an insert of Grandma examining a jar of Dead Sea mud shares a spread with Abby's letter and a view of the water. Grandma thinks of her granddaughter when it rains, and another insert shows them splashing through puddles together. She sends Abby brightly colored autumn leaves to share with her classmates. With summer over, Abby waits for the first rain, which also brings her grandmother for a visit. Mitter's acrylic illustrations also portray a scene at the Western Wall and the diversity of the Israeli population. Besides being a realistic look at another culture, this well-written book is heartwarming and reassuring.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

School Library Journal

When Abby and her family move to Israel, it is both a sad and a happy day. Abby will miss her grandma and the rainy, splashy outings they would take wearing duck-yellow raincoats. But Abby is also very excited to start a new life in the land of her ancestors and, with a flurry of e-mails and letters, keeps her grandma updated on her new home, new Hebrew words, new friends, new foods and new sights. The summer dry weather finally gives way to the first rain just as the new school year opens, bringing Abby not only relief from the heat but a surprise visit from her grandmother ready to share in some showery fun. Mitter's bright full-page acrylics accentuate emotions and the themes of family relationships as the little girl acclimates while maintaining a connection to her former life. This agreeable story also provides some insight into such Israeli essentials as the market (shuk), the Dead Sea and the Western Wall. A sentimental and perhaps idyllic journey filled with the promise of love and fresh beginnings. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews