This Is the Rain [Hardcover]

Lola M. Schaefer (Author), Jane Wattenberg (Illustrator)

Book Description

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

You swim in it.
You take a bath in its,
You brush your
teeth with it.
You splash it.
You drink it.
You flush the
toilet with it.
It is 65% of you.

Water,
Where does it
come from?
Where does it go?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Using the same approach as with her This Is the Sunflower, Schaefer celebrates the earth's waters. "This is the ocean/ blue and vast,/ that holds the rainwater from the past." The accompanying illustration depicts a night sky filled with starfish above a turquoise expanse of ocean. While keeping the vocabulary simple, the author conjures up vivid images of how water continually replenishes the planet by falling, flowing and vaporizing. Water makes "puddles,/ big and round,/ that dot the land, muddy wet ground"; it forms "clouds low and gray,/ full of vapor, moist and light." Wattenberg's full-bleed photo collages, used so effectively in her Henny Penny, here depict stunning natural images: a single sunflower stands sentry-like in a vast, gold-splashed meadow; a school of emerald fish seem to be airborne at the base of a waterfall; a gray cloud oozes over a seashore. And there's a soupcon of sly jokes as well Wattenberg has a fondness for sneaking dinosaurs into her ocean scenes, and the final montage sports umbrella-toting birds and seahorses. Her layer upon layer of photo images creates a giddy visual landscape that is simultaneously ironic and iconic. Ages 4-up.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

reS-Gr 2-A poetic text explains the water cycle. "This is the ocean,/blue and vast,/that holds the rainwater from the past./This is the sunshine,/hot and bright,/that warms the ocean,/blue and vast,-." The cumulative verse seems appropriate for the repetitive elements of the cycle. Schaefer maintains the rhythm throughout, even when the pattern is interrupted to follow the rain running into rivers and into the sea and then picks up with the sunshine, "hot and bright,/that makes the vapor, moist and light,/that fills the clouds, low and gray,/that bring rain/somewhere/every day." The illustrations are interesting photographs and original images of clouds; rushing creeks; and a variety of plants, fish, and other wildlife collaged on the computer using Adobe Photoshop. The book would be best used along with demonstrations or a more straightforward description of the process of water evaporation and condensation. However, it makes a good supplement for developing a sense of wonder and appreciation of the importance of water to our planet.

Adele Greenlee, Bethel College, St. Paul, MN

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books; 1st edition (August 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688170390
• ISBN-13: 978-0688170394
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 10.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,496,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kids Will Love This Book!, September 8, 2001

By 

Debra K. Crouch (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Is the Rain (Hardcover)

The rich language and incredible illustrations in this book make children utter the two words all teachers and parents want to hear--"Read it again!". The House-that-Jack-built pattern allows children to quickly join in and feel comfortable with the book. As a kindergarten teacher and educational consultant, I look for picture books which allow an instant connection with children and This Is The Rain is a beautiful addition to my collection.