I sort of expected this book to focus more on the water cycle and the benefits of rain. Instead it's an exploration of runoff. That's a bit unexpected for this age group but makes for a positive point of discussion with parents.

Such a fun and educational story of rain. My five year old learned so much and was able to read some words since we are in the beginnings of learning to read.

This was a sweetly illustrated book for children about ways to deal with rainwater that are beneficial for our planet. The story is told in verse and simply but effectively describes how to make a garden that will catch the excess rainwater and use it for good. The illustrations are colorful and well balanced on the page and are inclusive of different skin tones. There is a more in-depth “how-to” section at the back that provides detail on how to create one’s own garden using the techniques illustrated in the book. It’s a sweet read that could be really good for lessons in April about “April showers” and Earth Day!

A fun, yet important book about rain and how to help the environment by doing some simple projects that will have long lasting effects.

Filled with colorful and dynamic illustrations and a lovely story about rain, working together, the importance of clean water and how to help with that [there is a note at the end that goes into greater detail], I enjoyed this very much and wish I had the space to build my own rain gathering area. Children will love the colors of the illustrations and will also love seeing a way to help keep things clean, even while being little.

Well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Michelle Schaub, Blanca Gómez - Illustrator, and W. W. Norton & Company/Norton Young Readers for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A perfect addition for Earth Day in the classroom! This would make a great read aloud choice with the bright illustrations and rhyming verse.

This book highlights the importance of rainy days and in the final part of the book, it shows readers how to catch and use the rain for things such as gardens.

I recommend this for classroom of preschoolers-1st grade!

Sort of half-a-rain-cycle book for the very young. This urges us to do the best with the downfall we do get, wherever we may be, with a water butt to catch the rain that falls first onto and then off our roofs, and then if the chance allows make a rain garden – simply follow the flow from the downpipes, see where it all settles, and then convert into a garden. At least it stops it all from flooding through the streets and gunking up before hitting the natural waterways we've left around. The visuals are clear, if not completely exciting, and the text an onomatopoeia-heavy sort of blank verse. All told it feels a borrow as opposed to a purchase – it's designed as a readable poem but is clearly a lesson as opposed to something high on enjoyment, and once you've build your rain garden, what then? You don't even need to pass this volume on to someone else, you can teach through experience.

Nice rhyming text and delightful illustrations add a lot of charm to this story about creating a rain garden. An entertaining choice for a read aloud, and also inspiration for a fun and practical activity.

This is a great book for children until age 4 or 5.
The bright primary colours and simple block like figures catch and hold attention.

I did find that the font was a bit small for me to read. I had to focus in on it when I should be able to hold out for the kids to see instead.

I loved that it taught introductory conservation as well. Very smart!

The end also has instructions on how to incorporate a rain garden in real life.

Rain makes noises that rhyme, but it can cause simple problems, too. After having some fun in the rain the teacher shows how to divert the rain into a barrel and even how and why to make a rain garden!
The book is delightfully illustrated in simple brilliant colors by Blanca Gómez.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age, great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your public library!
I requested and received a temporary electronic copy on Adobe Digital Editions from W. W. Norton & Company/Norton Young Readers via NetGalley. Thank you!

A wonderful picture book about the important work that rainy days do. The simple, rhyming text makes it a great selection for toddler - 1st graders and the illustrations are a joy. It is also a wonderful Earth Day book about how we can collect and use rain.

I received an electronic ARC from W. W. Norton & Company through NetGalley.
Schaub takes readers on an adventure in the rain. They see it start softly and then move through the different types of rain to a downpour. Charming artwork captures the fun and joy even when getting wet. Then, the book takes a more serious turn as readers see what happens when rain picks up oil, dirt and other chemicals and carries them to the rivers and oceans. I appreciate the final part of the book where the author shows readers how to create rain barrels that catch rain and then overflow into a created stream path to a garden. Schaub takes the time to explain why this works at each step in language younger readers will understand. The final page spread offers informative text for adults on how to create rain gardens. A family read to talk about protecting resources.

Great book to show kids some of the options we have available to better care for the Earth when it comes to rain. We can create beautiful options for rainfall and help prevent flooding and mess!

Love love love this book!!! Will definitely be purchasing -for my daughter’s library, classroom and to have on hand as birthday gifts!! Love the repetitive language “ plink, plop, plop.” Definitely will be a highlight for early readers!! The illustrations are beautiful and what a powerful message and motivating a future generation with steps they can take!! Can’t wait for its release!!

Students in my first grade class loved this book. They had this to say about it:
"The book was so good."
"I like the style of the illustrations."
"Beautiful!"
"I like all those colors."
"The book was so detailed."
"I learned that plants need water and soil."
"I like the way that the heads were really round."
"I like the way they put the words in the trees."
"I think everyone would like this book."

I appreciated the topic - this is something many do not know about as a great solution to pollution. Rain gardens are not super common yet and hopefully this book will help more people learn how helpful they can be and encourage them to build one at their home or school. The illustrations of this book are fantastic also! Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a darling children’s book! I love the vocabulary and cause and effect discussion. The illustrations are so charming! Definitely adding to my collection.

Thanks #netgalley for the ARC.

Great sound words and rhyming throughout. It will make a fabulous read-aloud with preschool and kindergarten aged children. I will be acquiring it for my school library.

This is a very clever idea, have never seen a picure book about building a rain garden before. I wish I had access to this book when I was teaching, as it would be a great addition to a lesson. If I had to say anything that could use improvement on this book is that I would prefer a different illustration style, but that is just a personal preference. Overall great read and would recommend to others.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rain, community and rhyme. Not only showing us beauty, but also action. This little book carries a larger message about our agency in the world around us, and our ability to affect change. Where it would be easy to have a heavy or judging tone, this book keeps a light airy feel and a general sense of wonder and curiosity that is refreshing and worthwhile cultivating. I particularly appreciate the addition of native plants, and the children taking part in the design of the space and approaching the collective community act as an engineering problem to solve, and not simply something beautiful and kind (while it is also both of those things). I am not always fond of rhyming and sing-song feeling in picture books, but the lyrics here were delightful and the tone was held throughout in a way I found rewarding and lovely. The after notes are detailed and scientific in a way that is accessible and calls for the reader to take action in their home and own community spaces. All around a celebration of community, musical language and growing with nature.

I read this book to my 5 year old and she loved it! Beautiful illustrations and vocabulary words to teach children about. I really like the science concepts in this book for little ones to learn about. Perfect book for a good science lesson.

This was a lovely book to read. I loved the rhythm of the words which made it enjoyable to read out loud. I really liked the concept of building a rain garden and how the children and their teacher worked together to harness some of the rainfall and make it useful. It was interesting to read the information at the back of the book about storm water runoff and how to utilise the rain when it falls. The illustrations were beautiful and brought the wonderful words to life.