Rainstorm [Hardcover]

Barbara Lehman (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

It can be lonely sometimes on a rainy day in a big house with no one else around and there’s only the quiet to keep you company. But if you find a key, a mysterious key, that leads you to an unexpected place . . . chances are your afternoon is about to get a lot more interesting.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 2—In a mansion by the sea, a lonely boy finds a mysterious key under a chair. Curious to discover what it opens, he tries each lock until finally he succeeds in opening a large trunk with a ladder inside. As he climbs down the ladder, he finds himself in a passageway beneath the sea that eventually leads him to a lighthouse where a group of children and their dog become his instant friends. They have lunch, play ball, fly kites, and play on the beach until it is time for him to retrace his steps. This wordless story is straightforward but not predictable. The mystery of the key, the discovery of the passageway, and the obvious enjoyment of the children at play are all pleasantly depicted in brightly colored, simple watercolor, gouache, and ink illustrations that combine full-page images, spreads, and pages of sequential panels. There are nicely done details such as the elaborate dinner service placed on the table at the mansion and the spiral stairway at the lighthouse. This appealing rainy-day tale will stir the imagination of those who have ever looked for something to do on a gloomy day.—Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The author of Museum Trip (2006) returns to a wordless format to tell this story of a boy who finds that the house he lives in offers more than he imagines. The book opens to a picture of a boy looking out tall windows as rain spatters the panes. Bored and lonely, the child wanders the house and finds a key and a chest. Opening the chest, he discovers a ladder leading to a basement; then he goes through a door and up a staircase. This Alice in Wonderland-like journey ends on a sunny island, where the boy meets some children to play with. The boy goes home after a thrilling day, but he finds a way to return to see his friends. Once again, Lehman provides purely colored, precisely rendered artwork that capably captures both adventures and emotions. Unfortunately, this rather straightforward story leaves little space for children to use their imaginations. It does, however, beautifully capture the deja vu feeling that comes when reality mingles with the longing of dreams. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; None edition (April 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618756396
• ISBN-13: 978-0618756391
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,300 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barbara Lehman has illustrated many books for children. Born in Chicago, Barbara attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where she earned a BFA in communication design. A full-time illustrator, Barbara says, "Books and art have always held the strongest attraction for me. I have always felt drawn to commercial art' because of its ability to reach many people. I like the idea of being part of the media in a meaningful and thoughtful way, especially with children as the audience." She now lives in Philmont, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect children's book!, April 6, 2008

By 

Jennifer J. Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rainstorm (Hardcover)

This is one of my all-time favorite books and my daughter's too. The illustrations are gorgeous...clean & simple, artistic yet restrained. The wordless illustrated pages narrate the story so clearly through simply illustrated frames. I love that this story plays out a timeless daydream/fantasy of adventure in a realistic way that both my 2 year old and I can imagine could actually happen. She has me read it to her several times a day and I never tire of it. It is the perfect children's book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another wonderful book by Barbara Lehman, October 1, 2007

By 

pammer (NY Metro) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rainstorm (Hardcover)

We loved The Red Book and now Rainstorm. Neither book has text, but the pictures tell the story wonderfully. Beautifully illustrated throughout; a timeless work of art.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL!, February 11, 2009

By 

Melissa L. Ricci "Melissa" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rainstorm (Hardcover)

Such a lovely book! I use it in therapy (I'm a speech language pathologist), and the kids love to make up their own words for it. This author has wonderful books!