Top Ten Tuesday: April Showers

It’s a freebie week on Top Ten Tuesday! So with the weather forecast in my area showing rain for the next few days, I thought April Showers was the perfect theme! I’m a girl that needs to see the sun. But, I do love a dark and dreary day if I’ve got a stack of great books and no other plans.

Rain may not be the best option with toddlers and preschoolers as being stuck in the house can get very boring very quickly for some little ones! But, with these great books all about rain, you’ll be sure to keep them occupied for at least a little while. For a beautiful story about acceptance, check out The Big Umbrella, if you’re looking for a familiar song check out Rain, Rain Go Away or Singing in the Rain, and finally, for some absolutely gorgeous illustrations check out Sometimes Rain.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

April Showers

The Big Umbrella

by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates

Amazon | Bookshop

By the door there is an umbrella. It is big. It is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. It doesn’t matter if you are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn’t matter how many legs you have.

Don’t worry that there won’t be enough room under the umbrella. Because there will always be room.

Hello, Rain!

by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Chris Turnham

The air is full of waiting. The sky is full of breeze. The trees gust and billow. All before it rains.
Rumble, rumble. Distant thunder. Rain is coming, rain is coming.

Amazon | Bookshop

Rain

by Manya Stojic

Amazon | Bookshop

When rain comes to the parched African savanna, the animals use all their senses to track the storm. The porcupine smells rain in the air. The zebras see lightning. The baboons hear thunder. The rhino feels the first drops. And the lion tastes the cool water. For a time, the grasslands abound with new green leaves, juicy fruits, and fresh pools of water. But soon the hot sun dries out the land, and the animals must again wait for the next big rain.

Rain!

by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Christian Robinson

Amazon | Bookshop

One rainy day in the city, an eager little boy exclaims, “Rain!” Across town a grumpy man grumbles, “Rain.” In this endearing picture book, a rainy-day cityscape comes to life in vibrant, cut-paper-style artwork. The boy in his green frog hat splashes in puddles–“Hoppy, hoppy, hoppy!”–while the old man curses the “dang puddles.” Can the boy’s natural exuberance (and perhaps a cookie) cheer up the grouchy gentleman and turn the day around?

Rain, Rain Go Away

by Caroline Jayne Church

Bookshop

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY is already a well-loved preschool favorite. Now this board book with a full-foil cover will catch everyone’s eye (rain or shine!) as Church’s toddlers and stuffed animals are as adorable as ever in colorful rain gear. A pitch-perfect song for rainy days, sunny days, or any day!

Red Rubber Boot Day

by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Lauren Stringer

Amazon | Bookshop

From the creators of Mud comes this joyous celebration of the delights of a rainy day.

Singing In the Rain

illustrated by Tim Hopgood

Amazon | Bookshop

Spring calls in this classic Broadway number, brought to life in a beautiful picture book–perfect for sharing! Jump in puddles, raise umbrellas, and dance with joy through the pages of this visual story. With colorful, springy scenes and the familiar lyrics, this is a beautiful, gift-worthy, feel-good read-aloud

Sometimes Rain

by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Diana Sudyka

Amazon | Bookshop

Sometimes it rains, sometimes it snows, sometimes the sun shines, and sometimes the trees change color. But no matter what the seasons bring, there is lots of fun to be had! This lyrical exploration of the four seasons and all of the wonder that they bring is illustrated with vibrant watercolors.

Tap Tap Boom Boom

by Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

Amazon | Bookshop

The clouds are gathering above a city street and soon — tap, tap, boom, boom! As a thunderstorm rolls in, people of all stripes race to get away from the crackling rain and wind. With quirky wordplay and infectious rhymes, Elizabeth Bluemle crystallizes an unexpected moment of community, while G. Brian Karas’s warm illustrations show the smiles to be had when a storm brings strangers together as friends.

Who Likes Rain?

by Wong Herbert Yee

Amazon | Bookshop

With spring come April showers. It’s time to put on a raincoat, grab an umbrella, and head outdoors. The worms like rain, and so do the fish and frogs. But what about the cat and dog? In this lyrical picture book, one spunky little girl discovers just who likes rain―and who doesn’t―as she explores the rainy-day habits of the world around her.

The Artsy Reader Girl currently hosts Top Ten Tuesday, an original feature created by The Broke and the Bookish.