The Puddle

by David McPhail

By the author/illustrator of the bestseller Edward and the Pirates

What better thing to do on a rainy day than sail a toy boat in puddles? The boy in this story gets permission from his mother to do just that, with the condition that only the boat gets to go in the puddles. After he finds a perfect spot for sailing, the boy is joined by a frog who wants a ride on his boat. Then a turtle floats by, followed by a helpful crocodile, a pig in a swimsuit, and a very thirsty elephant. Brought to life in rich watercolor illustrations, this cheerful assortment of visitors could make a rainy day a happy adventure for any child.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Kids, Storytime, Juvenile

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

David was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts and attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. While there, he began illustrating. He is now an award-winning author and illustrator of nearly 200 books beloved by children, parents and librarians across the United States. McPhail has garnered many prestigious awards, including a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year for Mole Music in 2001. McPhail’s other books include First Flight, which the New York Times praised as “hilarious and helpful”; and Lost!, which was chosen as an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists.

McPhail has four children, three stepchildren, and is a proud grandfather. He is married to Jan Waldron, with whom he has written and illustrated several books. He lives in Rye, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little boy takes his boat out to play in the puddle during a rainstorm and meets a number of animals who want to enjoy the puddle too. Very simple text and illustrations, but nothing that really spoke to me. I liked that the little boy did listen to his mother and stayed out of the puddle, and that the animals all enjoyed the puddle in very different ways (not one of those quarreling/disaster stories, alligator included). It's not that it's bad, but just missing that little spark or sense of humor that really connects me to a picture book.

2+ rounded up. Good but not great. Can still see pulling it out for a storytime on weather or rain, especially for my younger groups. But it would be more of a supporting story, rather than a headliner, if that makes sense.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Craetive and pleasant, but it didn't speak to me. In fact, I really wanted to give it only two stars, but I'm tacking on a bonus one because the little boy did stay obedient to his mother. I was worried it was going to turn into one of those "It isn't my fault"" stories, but it never did, and I'm giving credit for that. It isn't a bad book at all, I was just not overly taken with it.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just meh. It might work for a rain themed story time, but it didn't wow me.

[Christine Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boat Story. Boy takes his boat out to sail in the puddles and meets many animals along the way...or does he?

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

An everyday adventure becomes cheerily fantastical. I give this a 3.5 star review. Genuinely reflects the way kids have fun.

[Zazie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story. I quite enjoyed it. Worth reading with your children.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet, gentle story about a young child enjoying a rainy day. I love David McPhail's illustrations.

[Aleisha Froude · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imaginative book by children never went for it.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't your ordinary puddle ... well, I guess the puddle is ordinary, just not the visitors that come to enjoy the puddle. A fun and engaging tale!

Ages: 4 - 8

See which rainy day books our family is enjoying: watch my reel!

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[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book that has an appealing calm voice - like Mahy's A lion in the meadow (a favorite of mine), this has the same approach to imagination and home - and like Mahy's book, it makes me wistful for romping in the woods kinds of childhoods, even if the woods was a clump of trees in a suburban back yard. The days where the tv was never on (we were allowed two hours per week, our choice of programs - I always picked Disney and Lassie, yeah, I am that old!).
I think it is the rain today, or that most of the kids come in too shuttled from one event to another or endlessly entertained to even know what to do with idle time and a puddle...

[Gala · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little book about a puddle that was off limits to this child because her mother said not to play in the puddle. I read this in my intern class of 1st graders and they were learning about commas and this book had some commas so they could identify punctuation marks. Good reading for first grade to third grade.

[Katherine Tope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!! The fact that the frog hops up, says "Nice boat," and sails off in the puddle is fantastic. George and I have adopted the "Nice ____" phrase for anything/everything we love. You need a lap and a kid with a terrific sense of humor for this one!

[Carmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old favorite of mine from story time. Such beautiful illustrations and a gentleness to the story, but with humor. Boy goes out on a rainy day with mom's instruction not to play in the puddles, but he encounters a series of animals who test his resolve to stay dry.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little boy goes out to sail his toy boat in the rain. He meets several animals at the watering hole of a puddle he finds. They all mostly have a great time. Then the boy goes home to a hot tub waiting for him.

Good for preschool or toddler storytimes.

[Aletheia Ubben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aletheia's Review: You may gauge my interest in this book by the fact that I spent the reading time visiting the other children (primarily crawling over their legs and trying to occupy their carpet squares).

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of satchel's first loves.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

C and Daddy liked this book a lot more than I did. They'd probably give it 4 stars. They picked it frequently to read together.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has potential for a read-aloud. I may try it with my preschoolers today.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect book for spring!

It's a calm and quiet story with just a touch of silliness. My favorite part, as a mother, is that the boy's mom told him not to go in the puddles and HE DIDN'T!

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy sets out to sail his boat in a puddle and is joined by a frog, a turtle, an alligator, a pig, and an elephant.

[Emily Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

adorable story, great watercolor illustrations!

[Siomara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always great to be out in the rain and this little boy gets just that.

[Country Fun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed by the preschool group.