The Rain Came Down
From AwardAnnals
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| Author(s) | David Shannon |
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| Publisher | Blue Sky Press |
| Honors | |
| Once upon a sunny day, the sky clouded over, and the rain came down. The chickens squawked, the dog barked, the baby cried, the traffic snarled, the groceries fell, and still, the rain came down. | |
In this simple, funny picture book, Caldecott Honor Artist David Shannon captures the chaos that follows an unexpected downpour.
Once upon a sunny day, the sky clouded over, and the rain came down. The chickens squawked, the dog barked, the baby cried, the traffic snarled, the groceries fell, and still, the rain came down.
As one noisy event leads to another, the house painter accidentally bonks the barber with his can of paint, and the baker mistakenly pokes the pizza man with his umbrella. Soon the whole block is honking, bickering, and yelling — and then… the rain stops.
The sun comes out, and one by one, each character ends up smiling and helping someone else. Here is an engaging story that will brighten the day of any reader — rain or shine.
Reviews
Amazon.com
“On Saturday morning, the rain came down. It made the chickens squawk.” But that’s only the beginning. Before the sun comes out again, an entire neighborhood is in a crabby uproar. The owner of the beauty parlor squabbles with the barber, who argues with the painter, who has just accidentally bonked the barber in the head with his paint can. Then the baker unintentionally pokes the pizza man in the nose with his umbrella, and they start quarreling. Soon, “the whole block was honking, yelling, bickering, and barking.” There’s no end in sight…until the rain stops, the sun comes out, the air smells fresh and sweet, and a rainbow appears. Before they know it, the bickerers are helping each other clean up the mess caused by the ruckus, and everyone’s smiling again.
David Shannon, Caldecott Honor artist of No, David!, brings his own brand of sunshine to readers. His rollicking text and bright, witty caricatures of grumpy neighbors and animals will put a smile on every reader’s face, rain or shine. Surprising angles (we see the painter’s paint-spattered bottom from below as he descends his ladder) may even make gloomy readers laugh out loud! This book is perfect for brightening a dreary gray day. (Ages 4 to 8) —Emilie Coulter
