It's Raining!

March 1, 2014
Though Gibbons includes lots of facts about rain in her latest, some flaws limit its usefulness. The explanation of the water cycle, though basic, is solid and accessible for children: "As the water vapor moves higher into the sky, the air becomes cooler and cooler. Water vapor soon turns into millions of water droplets. This is called condensation." Gibbons then goes on to describe the types of rain clouds. Unfortunately, her trademark watercolor-illustration style does not differentiate these enough, nor does the text, to make this knowledge applicable. She next tackles the different ways rain falls: drizzle, shower, rain, rainstorm, thunderstorm, flash flood. While the bit about thunder and lightning may soothe nerves about this typical childhood fear, introducing the threat of broken windows and falling tree limbs from other storms may offset this. The final few pages address storm cleanup, acid rain, cleaner energy sources and the possibility of a rainbow. How this latter forms is left to the backmatter, whose many facts should have been supplied in the text itself, including tips on staying dry and safe and a list of supplies to have on hand in case of a storm. As in her other titles, text within the illustrations gives further information and/or defines vocabulary words. This effort gives partial information where children could have handled the full picture. Look to Julie Hannah and Joan Holub's The Man Who Named the Clouds, illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye (2006), instead. (Informational picture book. 4-8)

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March 1, 2014

K-Gr 2-Rain is essential for all life, and here Gibbons shows youngsters how it forms, the different kinds of rain clouds, and what to do when storm clouds gather. Concentrating on the water cycle, different types of cloud formations, and a variety of types of rain events, this accessible and easy-to-read book can help children to understand the world around them. Small bits of information on acid rain and a variety of nonpolluting energy sources are also offered. Diagrams and maps offer additional details and facts. Full-color illustrations depict an idealized rural/suburban world without reference to cities or urban environments. The adults pictured seem uniformly glum and concerned about potential rain-related disasters, such as floods and monsoons. Useful as an introduction to units on weather and climate.-Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2014
Grades K-3 This accessible introduction to rain-and-water cycle opens with a familiar neighborhood scene: rain starts to fall, and people put on raincoats and open umbrellas. It then moves into an exploration of the water cycle, clouds, where it rains, and types of rainfall. Each topic is covered in an illustrated spread. Bright watercolors depict interesting, child-friendly scenes. The text is brief yet descriptive while captions provide additional information or explanations of terms, such as groundwater or water vapor. Major rainstorms and floods are mentioned, as is the damage each can cause. An environmental message about the effects of pollutants is included, too. If these last pages worry some children, perhaps they will be reassured by the closing vista of a rainbow. Back matter offers tips on staying dry and safe as well as additional facts and websites. As always, Gibbons gives young readers a solid overview.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2014
With her usual combination of clear sentences, cheerful pictures, and informative captions, Gibbons explains the water cycle, different kinds of rain and clouds, and storms, briefly touching on pollution's effects. A center spread features two maps showing rain patterns in North America and worldwide. Final pages explain what to do during storms and give a synopsis of rain facts. Websites.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)