The Rain Came Down

"On Saturday morning, the rain came down. It made the chickens squawk." But that's only the beginning. Before the sun comes out again, an entire neighborhood is in a crabby uproar. The owner of the beauty parlor squabbles with the barber, who argues with the painter, who has just accidentally bonked the barber in the head with his paint can. Then the baker unintentionally pokes the pizza man in the nose with his umbrella, and they start quarreling. Soon, "the whole block was honking, yelling, bickering, and barking." There's no end in sight... until the rain stops, the sun comes out, the air smells fresh and sweet, and a rainbow appears. Before they know it, the bickerers are helping each other clean up the mess caused by the ruckus, and everyone's smiling again.

David Shannon, Caldecott Honor artist of No, David!, brings his own brand of sunshine to readers. His rollicking text and bright, witty caricatures of grumpy neighbors and animals will put a smile on every reader's face, rain or shine. Surprising angles (we see the painter's paint-spattered bottom from below as he descends his ladder) may even make gloomy readers laugh out loud! This book is perfect for brightening a dreary gray day. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter