A Rainy Day

Children's Literature

Short sentences caption full-color photographs that describe the nature scenes and outdoor activities on rainy days. Among the sixteen photographs are those showing heavy rain clouds, a rainbow, lightning across the sky, ducks swimming and rabbits hiding, and a family gathered under an umbrella. Multicultural children are pictured. The vocabulary is fairly simple, making this a good book for emergent readers. The meanings of the more difficult words can be ascertained from the photographs. Part of the "First Step Nonfiction" series, this can also be used with preschool children as an introduction to a discussion about rainy weather. Information about the water cycle is accompanied by a diagram. Some facts about rain, a glossary and an index are included. 2002, Lerner Publications, $15.93 and $3.95. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-Small-format beginning readers with just the right dose of fact and fun. Simple sentences and bold (though sometimes grainy) photographs capture the essence of different kinds of days. Each page includes one line of text and a full-color picture. Through repetition and simple sentence structure, the author encourages students to develop some rhythm in their reading while learning a few facts. ("When it is rainy, flowers grow. We see a rainbow. When it is rainy-.") In addition, youngsters will relate to the pictures of children running through puddles, playing in the snow, and eating ice cream. Two pages of facts, an index, and a glossary in the back of each book help develop a familiarity with the components of nonfiction without seeming cumbersome. These titles will be of particular use in classrooms.-Holly T. Sneeringer, St. Mark School, Baltimore, MD Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.