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Welcome Rain

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Book Synopsis

We all love rain—until we are ready for some sun! This joyful ode to rain for kids 2 to 6 explores a child’s many emotions when it comes to wet weather.

In this charming picture book, a young child’s conversation with the rain poetically captures the ever-shifting feelings we have when it comes to drizzles and downpours. She thanks the rain for helping the strawberries and carrot seeds to grow, and delights in splashing in the puddles with her little brother. Then, she asks the rain if it could take a vacation so she can play in the park and go lightning fast on her scooter. Eventually, it’s too hot for sidewalk chalk and catching frogs, and she begins to miss it.

Welcome, Rain! encourage kids to:

Get outside to explore and play, even in the rain
Understand why rain is important, from helping plants grow to bringing cooler temperatures
Cycling through the four seasons, this adorable picture book is a celebration of our feelings for the rain—how we wish it would go away, then long for it when it’s gone—and the necessary role it plays in our lives.

Our Review Panel says...

Welcome Rain perfectly conveys the often complicated relationship that humans have with wet weather beautifully. It is written from the perspective of two young children who explore their environment and celebrate the wonder of rainy weather. From encouraging the worms to rise ready for a bird’s breakfast to filling the reservoirs with water which flows through our taps, the book gives insight into the importance of water. However, just as we all moan about too much rain, the children also wish for the rain to stop. They recognise that it stops them from playing outside on their scooters and that the thunder can scare their dog.

The illustrations set the bold colours of the toddler characters against the murky landscape which accompanies rainy days and there is so much in the illustrations to investigate. The double page with the children flaked out from too much heat on their beds is extremely relatable during the summer months!

As part of a Weather topic, the book holds so much to discuss; from the impact of rain on wildlife to us as humans. It also has lots of patterned language and topic vocabulary to talk about and copy. It is written in the first person so offers the opportunity for children to use the language models within the text to give their own opinions about rainy weather too.

What a gorgeous book to share and inspire an EYFS class, especially on a wet play day.