Customer Reviews

Peter Spier's Rain (Picture Yearling Book)

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I want to own this book in hardcover. It is a keeper. You can look and look again seeing more each time you look at these scenes of family life and the natural world. Thanks, Mr. Spier.

"Rain" is yet another memorable work by Peter Spier.

Like "Peter Spier's Christmas!", "Rain" is a wordless picture book that beautifully captures the essence of the moment that Mr. Spier is trying to convey. Childhood memories are faithfully recorded in a montage of images that we all know and remember.

The amount of detail in Spier's work is staggering, but not overdone. Everything just seems to fit. Upon repeat viewings, the reader captures another hidden detail. Obviously, Mr. Spier knew what it was like to live around older homes, with all of their idiosyncrasies. Here we see an old, uneven brick doorstep. Ornamental decoration on the pillars of the family porch. The assorted flotsom and jetsom that fills the yard of a large, old home, and the children's room in particular. All of these and more are extremely accurate reditions of an older home.

We also see the child's viewpoint of rain. The standing in running water by the curb, the walking under a broken gutter with your umbrella, the colors that jump out from rain-soaked flowers, the wind, the warm cocoa Mom provides upon returning home to tell of your adventures. All of it is here, and real, and true-to-life.

The story follows two children as they spend the day experiencing their world during a rainstorm. Nothing more. Nothing less. It's that simple, and that beautiful.

Buy this book.

There is nothing more to say.

Originally found it at the library. My 2 & 3 year old loved making up their own story and pointing out the story in their own way. I look forward to owning this one and getting other works from this author!

"Rain" was my favorite book when I was a kid.

The illustrations are vibrant, detailed and comforting. They teach you to celebrate rain and respect it, an important lesson for a kid growing up in the Pacific Northwest.

It wasn't until I was in my twenties that I found this book again only to realize that it was a picture book. From what I remember, there were many, many story lines!

I'm sad to see that "Rain" is out of print. If you find one at a second-hand bookstore, buy it! If you don't have kids, donate it to a library.

The lovely pictures are poetical and spark a child, or student imagination.

They are springboard to vocabulary building, sharing of emotions,storytelling, art project ..

I found it a delight and a great resource.

My brother received this book as a school price as a child. I spent my chilhood watching these beautiful illustrations and decided to buy it as an adult for my children to enjoy as much as I did and still do. It is just poetry in images.

Another outstanding wordless book by Peter Spier, this one follows a young brother and sister as they don raincoats, hats, and umbrellas to enjoy a rainy day outdoors. As in Christmas!, the book is illustrated with minutely detailed drawings showing varied aspects of the childrens' experience.

The reader can almost feel the drenching rain and hear the games the children play as they explore their transformed world. The visual experience of a cool, wet outdoors contrasts with the steam of the warm kitchen and bath after they come inside to enjoy the comfort of a family meal at the end of the day. This story is one of exploring and experiencing the natural world, but the adventure begins and ends in a secure home which bears the stamp of their parents' hard work and loving demeanor. An irresistible read.

This is the perfect book to enjoy on a rainy day, or any day for that matter. The rich detail that is not overdone draws the reader into the moment. Even though there are no words, there is much to comment on as we enjoy this book together. Like Peter Spier's other books, he shows life as it is meant to be: messy, joyful, and exuberant.