Rain Stomper, by Addie Boswell (ages 4 - 10)

Winter brings rain to California, lots of it this year.  We know that it's a good thing - we certainly need to replenish our dwindling water supplies.  But endless days of rain can dampen everyone's spirits.  If you need cheering up, check out Rain Stomper, a book full of energy and optimism as one girl shows us that the parade will go on, rain or shine!

Rain Stomper
by Addie Boswell
illustrations by Eric Velasquez
NY: Marshall Cavendish Children's Books, 2008
ages 4 -10

Jazmin was so excited - she was all set to twirl her baton in the big neighborhood parade.  Everyone would dance and celebrate together.  But then, the clouds started rolling in.  Would her special day be ruined? 

This book combines wonderful poetry and pictures.  The text is vibrant, coming alive with images and descriptions - it works wonderfully as a read aloud. And the pictures make you feel Jazmin's full range of emotions.  It's fun to read, but it is also rich and full of possibilities for engaging in interesting conversations about what makes it work so well.  Take a look at Boswell's descriptive writing:

Jazmin threw open her front door.
Wind whistled through her hair.
Thunder rumbled the ground.
The sun scuttled behind the clouds.
The sky twisted into a thick, black coil.

SLAP
Clatter, clatter
SLAP!
The rain poured down in buckets.
BOOM
walla BOOM
BOOM!
Thunder rattled the bricks in the walls.

(c) Addie Kay Boswell

But the story doesn't stop with the rain storm.  Jazmin didn't let the storm get her down.  She decided to go out anyway, stomping, jumping and kicking in the rain.  Kids came out of their houses to watch Jazmin as she splashed, spun and jumped, and her energy and optimism drawing them into the parade.  Velasquez's illustrations are dynamic as they show Jazmin's energy and all the kids as they all splashed, banged, bashed, and clattered on the sidewalk. To see more of the pictures, visit Velasquez's website.

A wide range of kids will enjoy and appreciate this book.  Young children will love the sounds of the book and want to go out and stomp in puddles themselves.  Students in first through third grades may enjoy trying to put sounds in their poetry to add action and drama.  Older students will be able to identify some of the poetic devices, especially the onomatopoeia such as "the wind whistled through her hair."  I also love how this book shows a character working to solve her problems, taking action and doing something to turn a bad day into a great one.

Get your rain boots on and don't let the storm clouds get you down.  I'm sure there are some puddles you can stomp in together!

The review copy came from my local public library.  Find a copy at your local library using WorldCat.org or ask for it at your local bookstore.  If you order through to Amazon using these links, a small commission will go to Great Kid Books.  Thank you for your support.