When Rain Falls

by Melissa Stewart, Constance R. Bergum (Illustrator)

A colorful look at the amazing ways animals behave and interact with their environments on a rainy day.

We go inside when the rain comes down, but where do animals go? This engaging book for young readers offers a first glimpse at how different animals in different habitats behave during a thunderstorm.

Acclaimed children's nonfiction author Melissa Stewart takes a lyrical look at the behavior of animals in forests, fields, wetlands, and deserts and briefly describes how each creature interacts with its rained-soaked environment. Constance Bergum's soft watercolor paintings colorfully depict the animals and special features of each habitat.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature, Science, Childrens, Environment

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

Melissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than 180 science and nature books for children. She offers a wide range of programs for schools, libraries, nature centers, and conferences. www.melissa-stewart.com"

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is by the same team that wrote and illustrated the superlative Under the Snow. This earlier book is superb also. It has the same last line as the later book, and it’s not my favorite but I can find no fault with the rest of the book(s). None at all. And I’m being nitpicky about the last line too because I think many children will delight in it.

The watercolors drawings are outstanding: beautiful and educational.

The narrative tells what different animals do when it rains. She starts and finishes with humans: a sister and brother, and the rest of the book follows many animals in several different types of habitats. I learned quite a bit.

This is a gorgeous and educational book, and it’s mesmerizing and entertaining too.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like people, animals react to rain in different ways. Personally when it rains I want nothing more than to curl up under a blanket, open a window and listen to the rain fall as I’m enjoying whatever novel I am reading. When Rain Falls is a little read that describes how different animals in various habitats respond to the rain. The text and illustrations are simple and perfect for young elementary age students on a rainy day or any day.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nonfiction book that describes what animals living in fields, forests, wetlands, and deserts do when it rains. I love the large, detailed illustrations of these different habitats. The information in this book would be interesting to all age levels. This book could be used as a mentor text to look for adjectives and other interesting vocabulary.

[Rebecca Caufman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfectly written in the cause and effect text structure. This text describes what people and animals do when rain falls.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engaging and well-structured nonfiction picture book about how different animals react to rain.

[Bob Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first saw this book a few years ago at the Humboldt State University Natural History Museum. I was immediately blown away by the art and the author's simple and engaging way of opening a window into the lives of animals.

I wish I had bought it then, so they could have benefited from a little profit, and my kids could have enjoyed it longer. I got it from Amazon about a month ago, and have been itching to read it to my 6 and 9 year old children. I finally did so today and neither author nor illustrator disappoint. The book pulled us in and carried us along, through different habitats and what the animals do when it rains.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Rain Falls is typical of much of Melissa Stewart's writing. Both this book and Under the Snow follow the creatures of nature in their habitat and show their hidden world; in this case, during a rainy day. Beyond enjoying the book's obvious value of being entertaining, the young reader will understand the value of wetlands, fields, forests, and deserts in providing "safe harbors" for each animal in its unique habitat. The flow of language, the beautiful illustrations and the author's obvious love of the natural world will surely affect the reader, whether adult or child.

[Heather Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEN RAIN FALLS is a soothing, lyrical journey filled with interesting facts about where animals take shelter when rain falls. The text takes us through four different habitats: a forest, a field, a wetland, and a desert. The journey ends when the rain stops, allowing readers to spot the animals in their daily activities. This is a wonderful bedtime or rainy-day book that will leave children wondering and imagining the next time rain falls.

[Joannie Duris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, lyrical story about animals both big and small and how they cope with a rainstorm. Have you ever wondered how a fragile butterfly survives the pounding rain? Tiny ants? Wonder no more. Kids will be fascinated by this glimpse into the natural world and animal behavior. Visit the author's website for more rainy day fun.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is not a hard core nonfiction picture book, it still is nonfiction with beautiful illustrations. For me the deciding factor between picture book and nonfiction was the spadefoot toads who actually come to the surface mate, lay eggs and burrow back into the sand when the rain stops. This is a lovely peaceful presentation of the animals in the rain.

[Carol Gordon Ekster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful picture book. It models beautiful language with great alliteration and strong verbs as well as teaches about what happens in nature when rain falls. Educators and families alike will love this book that makes a wonderful read aloud with lovely illustrations.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa Stewart came to my school and had our second-graders perform this book as a Readers' Theatre. The performers and the younger kids watching absolutely loved it. Don't miss the companion books Under the Snow, and Beneath the Sun.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book for any child who wonders what animals do when it rains. Graceful intelligent text is complimented by handsome illustrations.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story of what various animals do when it rains.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows nicely how different animals in different habitats react when it starts to rain.

Good for preschool or toddler storytimes.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for the library shelves. A perfect-picture-science book. An everlasting nature story that will only be withdrawn from shelves due to the pages falling out from being read over and over again.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice environmental concept book for the young. What do animals do when it rains?

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This simple poetic tale of animals' reaction to rain is a fun, fast read. Give it a look.

[Laura Salas]

I love the structure of exploring how animals react to rain in different ecosystems, each starting with, "When rain falls in a _____, ..." I also love the way it starts and ends with rain falling in your neighborhood, with kids. Melissa Stewart is such a master at bringing scientific topics to a kid's eye-view.