Home in the Rain

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School, Brunswick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 18, 2017

Review

With lovely characteristic watercolor illustrations, Graham brings to life the trip home through a terrific rainstorm. Juxtaposing the quiet, safe world within the car with the wider, wilder world, all dealing with the pouring rain, Graham not only shows the experiences of animals and other people experiencing the storm, but he shows how a family prepares for a trip and, as we learn, for a new family member. Francie, her mom, and her baby sister are all travelling home from Grandma's and Graham lets us in on the secret that the baby sister is not actually born yet. Through the shared, sweet moments between mother and daughter, the grace and sanctity of family is an inspiration for the new baby's name. A solemn, gentle picture book that would be a hit at story time, or for a quiet read before bedtime.

Overall Book Score: very good