Title: Sometimes rain
Written by: Meg Fleming
Illustrated by: Diana Sudyka
Publisher: Beach lane Books, October 2018
Ages: 3-7
Themes: seasons, weather, wonder, exploration,
Opening:
Sometimes drizzle.
Drip-drip drain.
Sometimes picnic.
Sometimes rain.
Synopsis:
Sometimes it rains, sometimes it snows, sometimes the sun shines, and sometimes the trees change color. But no matter what the seasons bring, there is lots of fun to be had! (Publisher)
Why I like this book:
This lyrical, and gently rhyming text invites the reader to immerse herself in the wonder and discovery of the seasons with all their temporal breadth. The pacing is subtle with both text and illustrations slowing down then speeding up the reader’s focus. So much atmosphere with so few words resulting in the timeless wonder and fun of childhood through the seasons.
The gouache watercolor illustrations are vibrant, whimsical and pulsing with life with the diverse cast we are starting to rightly expect in our picture books. This is a book that will be a terrific group read-aloud as well as one I would select for bedtime snuggles.
Resources/Activities:
This is a great text for units on seasons/weather and rhyme.
I might match this with Red Sings from the treetops by Joyce Sidman and A Wonderful Year by Nick Bruel.
Frost is so exquisitely illustrated by Diana Sudyka, I think I would look at some stylistic weather illustration with older children.
This post is part of a series by authors and children’s literature bloggers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays. For more picture book suggestions see Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
What a beautiful book with gorgeous illustrations. Perfect for me today. I just returned from a long walk and found myself looking at the remaining leaves still on the trees, the smell of burning wood, the breeze. There is so much beauty around us and I love lyrical books about the changing seasons! Put a smile on my face!
It is one of those old, old topics done in such a beautiful new way.
Pat, this is one you would want to keep on your own shelf and not give to the grandkids!
Wow! That illustration of frost is amazing! I think of the many years I looked out my bedroom window toward the pasture, only to see this kind of patterning on my windows, something I miss in our more temperate climate here. So magical. And the lyrical writing suits this topic as well. Putting this one on my list for sure. Thanks!
I had such a beautiful frosty pattern on my bedroom window in Rhode Island for Thanksgiving.
Looks incredible; I think the kids would have fun making the rain storm after a read-aloud. It’s still in the 70s here, so I’m not quite there with Mr. Frost … yet.
Yes, I like the idea of that activity, Barbara.
Love the illustrations. I am unfamiliar with this book, but I now have it on hold at the library. Thanks for featuring it.
This looks wonderful – I love the illustration you shared. Definitely going to read it!