Joanne Sher: Editor/Proofreader : Come On, Rain! Perfect Picture Book Friday

Here's this week's fabulous pick for Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday. And, by the way, fabulous is NOT an understatement. And it is an "older" one (well, older than current, anyway) that is well worth reading.

Title: Come On, Rain!

Author: Karen Hesse

Illustrator: Jon J. Muth

Publisher: Scholastic Press, 1999, fiction

Age Range: 4-8 years

Theme/Topics: city life, heat, rain, relationships

First Spread:"Come on, rain!" I say, squinting into the endless heat.
Mama lifts a listless vine and sighs. "Three weeks and not a drop," she says, sagging over her parched plants.

Synopsis (from Google Books): Come on, Rain!" Tess pleads to the sky as listless vines and parched plants droop in the endless heat. Then the clouds roll in, and the rain pours. And Tess, her friends, and their Mamas join in a rain dance to celebrate the shower that renews both body and spirit. Through exquisite language and acute observation, Karen Hesse evokes this refreshing experience, and Jon J Muth's lyrical artwork perfectly reflects the spirit of the text.

Resources: A read-aloud lesson and paired text questions for this book are here. Kids could also make up their own rain dance, and talk about the differences between wet and dry, the water cycle, and what needs rain to grow.

Why I LOVE it: The language. The imagery. Absolutely masterful. This is truly poetry in prose. Lyrical, lovely, and magical. And, of course, the artwork is also gorgeous (just look at the cover!). A wonderful picture of urban life, diversity, longing, relationships - and so much more. I talk a lot - and this one had me speechless for a good amount of time. (and I just saw this one has already been put on the PPBF list a few years ago - but I can't resist reminding folks of it!)

Hope you'll give this book a look - and check out the OTHER perfect picture books for today at Susanna's blog - and Susanna's ever-growing list of wonderful picture books.

My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

14 comments:

Manju HowardApril 17, 2015
I recently read Come On, Rain! and loved little Tess. This PB is on my mentor list. Thanks for sharing!
Sue HeavenrichApril 17, 2015
I'm not wishing for rain right now... but later this summer! So onto my "read this" list with Come on Rain.
Julie Rowan-ZochApril 17, 2015
We just got snow and rain and are very happy about it! This is a beautiful choice!
Patricia T.April 17, 2015
The beautiful cover already draws you into the book. You can almost feel the summer heat. Lovely choice.
Joanne RobertsApril 17, 2015
I loved this book, start to finish when I read it at the library. Thanks for adding it to the list. Gorgeous!
JoannaApril 17, 2015
This is such a feel good book!
clarbojahnNovember 11, 2015
Yes, I love it too! For all the reasons you said. I thought it a PPBF once as well. Probably one of the ones you mentioned.

http://www.clarabowmanjahn.com/perfect-picture-book-friday-come-on-rain/

It is beautiful!
UnknownDecember 15, 2015
Very sophisticated! Thanks, Joanne!