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Watersong
A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids
An NCTE Notable Poetry Book
“McCanna’s carefully chosen words are nearly all onomatopoeia, a cacophony of water sounds that resonates on tongue and ear, demanding to be read aloud…Beautiful.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
In glorious onomatopoeia, Tim McCanna takes the reader on a dazzling journey as a fox seeks shelter from a rainstorm.
Drip
Drop
Plip
Plop
Pitter
Patter
Pat.
As the rain begins, a little fox seeks shelter. But then it builds and builds into to a torrential storm.
Wash! Wham!
Lash! Whirl!
Bash! Swirl!
Hiss! Slap! Slam!
Both a visual feast and a joy to read aloud, this stunning picture book showcases the power and beauty of nature.
An NCTE Notable Poetry Book
“McCanna’s carefully chosen words are nearly all onomatopoeia, a cacophony of water sounds that resonates on tongue and ear, demanding to be read aloud…Beautiful.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
In glorious onomatopoeia, Tim McCanna takes the reader on a dazzling journey as a fox seeks shelter from a rainstorm.
Drip
Drop
Plip
Plop
Pitter
Patter
Pat.
As the rain begins, a little fox seeks shelter. But then it builds and builds into to a torrential storm.
Wash! Wham!
Lash! Whirl!
Bash! Swirl!
Hiss! Slap! Slam!
Both a visual feast and a joy to read aloud, this stunning picture book showcases the power and beauty of nature.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 31, 2017
3 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
December 31, 2019
A simple text featuring heavy use of onomatopoeia is paired with lovely watercolor artwork in this tale of a fox who seeks shelter from the rain one day. As water falls, "drip drop plip plop," our vulpine hero makes his way through his woodland home, searching for a dry place...
Truth be told, I was not particularly impressed with the text of Watersong. I can see that author Tim McCanna was attempting a poetic prose with his sound-word narrative, but somehow the reading experience wasn't that engaging for me. That said, I found Richard Smythe's artwork absolutely gorgeous, and I was (of course!) charmed by the fox hero. I think this one would have worked just fine as a wordless book, although I did appreciate the inclusion of some ecological information about water and its importance in the natural world, in the author's brief afterword. Recommended chiefly for the illustrations, although fellow fox-lovers might also find it appealing.
Truth be told, I was not particularly impressed with the text of Watersong. I can see that author Tim McCanna was attempting a poetic prose with his sound-word narrative, but somehow the reading experience wasn't that engaging for me. That said, I found Richard Smythe's artwork absolutely gorgeous, and I was (of course!) charmed by the fox hero. I think this one would have worked just fine as a wordless book, although I did appreciate the inclusion of some ecological information about water and its importance in the natural world, in the author's brief afterword. Recommended chiefly for the illustrations, although fellow fox-lovers might also find it appealing.
February 7, 2017
A lavishly illustrated rhyming tale of a fox, the weather, and different bodies of water.
February 27, 2017
Wow! What a beautiful book! Not only does the text work well for a read-a-loud during story time, but the theme of the water cycle fits into the state curriculum. But my favorite part of the book is the gorgeous illustrations. It was a brilliant move on the part of the illustrator to put a fox into the mix as we follow the storm and its aftermath. I am eager to use this book with my students as we explore the water cycle. It's wonderful to have another beautiful book to share on this topic. The onomatopoeia is a great stroke as it makes for a delightful chorus for both reader and listener to share. The variety of beautiful coloring in the illustrations as well as the different perspectives on the fox make this not only a fun book on an important topic, but a gorgeous work of art.
February 26, 2019
Simple, Sing-Song words and beautiful illustrations. Great for ages 1-4.
February 3, 2019
A pretty illustrated poem about the experience of water - in rain fall, a stream, even a waterfall. The poem practically sings, making this picture book a great read-aloud. There is back matter containing some science facts about the water cycle, ecosystems and habitats, rainbows, and foxes.
This is a rather unique picture book because the illustrations tell the story, as opposed to the text telling the story as readers are accustomed. In this case the text supports the art, instead of the other way around. The lovely watercolor spreads carry the poem superbly, but there is something off about the fox; I think the shape of his snout is too rounded.
This is a rather unique picture book because the illustrations tell the story, as opposed to the text telling the story as readers are accustomed. In this case the text supports the art, instead of the other way around. The lovely watercolor spreads carry the poem superbly, but there is something off about the fox; I think the shape of his snout is too rounded.
April 10, 2024
Beautifully illustrated and told in sparse text, mainly as onomatopoeia, this is a great book for a young child. I read the book call and respond style, where I read the words on a page and had young kids repeat them back to me so that we "sang" the water song together.
January 15, 2018
Read this to children then have them join in with you to enjoy the rhythmical text about a rainstorm. A great book to teach onomatopoeia.
February 2, 2018
Beautiful book.
June 18, 2020
I found this book on the website for 2018 Notable Poetry Books Selected by the NCTE Award for Excellence in Children’s Poetry Committee. I was able to find a read aloud on youtube . I learned that the illustrations are watercolor. The illustrations are just majestic. I could just look at them all day.
This book would be great to use as a mentor text to teach onomatopoeia.
This book would be great to use as a mentor text to teach onomatopoeia.
March 8, 2017
Fun book. It really brought to mind the times I've sat by rivers or played in the rain.
July 29, 2025
The coming of spring told through sounds and pictures.
Ages: 2 - 4
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Ages: 2 - 4
See which rainy day books our family is enjoying: watch my reel!
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
I have an Instagram account that’s pretty bookishly unique too!
September 1, 2017
Watersong is a beautiful picture book about ponds, rain, puddles, waterfalls, rivers, rainbows, and other water related things. The words are powerful yet pretty. At the back of the book is a glossary of water related words. Great science book!
December 20, 2017
It was okay. I know my class will likely enjoy hearing the sounds and thankfully it is short enough that I won't dread reading it over and over again. But I didn't love it and I wouldn't recommend it.
January 15, 2018
I absolutely loved the illustrations in this book and the different shades used. However, the text fell short for me. Very easy read for the younger children and good works to describe what is happening but I felt most of the story was told through the illustrations.
January 22, 2018
Tim McCanna's ability to make the words literally dance across the page is truly a gift. What a beautiful way to depict all the wonder and awe of nature. Escape the hectic world and melt in to this wonderful read.
July 25, 2019
A fully onomatopoetic story with a LOT of action going on in the unique, charming art. My favorite 2-page spread is the fox jumping into the water, startling ducks. Water and leaves and foxes, oh my! A fun read.
February 20, 2017
Told through onomatopoeia, the illustrations give us the details to this gorgeous story. Don't miss the additional information at the end.
April 25, 2017
It's delicious to read this aloud!
July 27, 2017
Beautiful illustrations and lovely sparse language. Great interplay!
April 14, 2021
The story is one with very few words. The story describes the way water impacts the world. All of the words included in the story are sounds that water can make what it interacts with animals, the land, or plants. This story focuses on a fox that is trying to find shelter from the rain storm. The rain starts out light, like a drizzle, and then turns into torrential downpour. As the rain gets harder and harder we see the words used to describe the sound of water get different. I thought the watercolor illustrations were very complementary to the book about water. The illustrations help to show the darkening of the sky as the storm gets bigger. The the illustrations begin with a lot of gray colors. As the rain gets harder we start to see darker colors used in the illustrations to symbolize the darkening of the sky. To show that the storm has ended the illustrator draws a rainbow. Every child knows there's always a rainbow after a storm.
May 27, 2020
A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids
An NCTE Notable Poetry Book
“McCanna’s carefully chosen words are nearly all onomatopoeia, a cacophony of water sounds that resonates on tongue and ear, demanding to be read aloud…Beautiful.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
In glorious onomatopoeia, Tim McCanna takes the reader on a dazzling journey as a fox seeks shelter from a rainstorm.
Drip
Drop
Plip
Plop
Pitter
Patter
Pat.
As the rain begins, a little fox seeks shelter. But then it builds and builds into to a torrential storm.
Wash! Wham!
Lash! Whirl!
Bash! Swirl!
Hiss! Slap! Slam!
Both a visual feast and a joy to read aloud, this stunning picture book showcases the power and beauty of nature.
ONOMATAPEA
An NCTE Notable Poetry Book
“McCanna’s carefully chosen words are nearly all onomatopoeia, a cacophony of water sounds that resonates on tongue and ear, demanding to be read aloud…Beautiful.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
In glorious onomatopoeia, Tim McCanna takes the reader on a dazzling journey as a fox seeks shelter from a rainstorm.
Drip
Drop
Plip
Plop
Pitter
Patter
Pat.
As the rain begins, a little fox seeks shelter. But then it builds and builds into to a torrential storm.
Wash! Wham!
Lash! Whirl!
Bash! Swirl!
Hiss! Slap! Slam!
Both a visual feast and a joy to read aloud, this stunning picture book showcases the power and beauty of nature.
ONOMATAPEA
September 7, 2019
With absolutely stunning illustrations author Tim McCanna takes us through a rainstorm and a fox seeking shelter. The sparse almost entirely onomatopoeia words and the different perspectives of the fox walking through the forest allows the reader to see other creatures and sense the intensity of the storm as it builds and then subsides leaving a beautiful rainbow. A great book that could be used in a variety of ways - writing, author’s craft, design, perspective, and habitats just off the top of my head. There is also a great one page addition explaining the different water terms and ecosystems and their interrelationships. A great addition to your libraries and classrooms.
Read
September 15, 2020Have fun with this lovely book with its gorgeous, heartwarming illustrations. The words may be hard for your little reader to pronounce, but enjoy the texture of them together by pointing to them, reading them out loud and then inviting your child to repeat them after you. You may find your personal space filled with the sound of rainfall. The other wonderful thing about this book is how it takes one of nature's scary events - a spring flood - and infuses it with an alternate point of view - nature's point of view.
August 25, 2017
Need a book with onomatopoeia?
Need a book to introduce the water cycle?
Need a book with large colorful images eating up every page?
This is it!
It does feel a lot like some of April Pulley Sayres' work, but that's OK.
The shapes in the illustrations are sometimes simple (the fox is a little out of proportion), but that's OK.
Instead of "Author's Note" we have "Listen to the Watersong" and that's great!
Need a book to introduce the water cycle?
Need a book with large colorful images eating up every page?
This is it!
It does feel a lot like some of April Pulley Sayres' work, but that's OK.
The shapes in the illustrations are sometimes simple (the fox is a little out of proportion), but that's OK.
Instead of "Author's Note" we have "Listen to the Watersong" and that's great!
October 25, 2017
Really Cute! I loved the illustrations, and the simple yet effective story was delightful. The poem works so well with the illustrations to create a real atmosphere. Children will enjoy seeing the journey of the little fox as well as searching for all the other animals and bits of nature throughout the book. Parents will enjoy this one as well - it would hold up to repeated readings!
February 27, 2019
I loved this book. I can hear the sounds in my mind as I read the words and saw the images of those sounds in my head. It was beautiful. The illustrations are amazing and lovely watercolors. I want this book to read for preschool. It would be so cool!
April 24, 2021
This is a great book to read aloud with the text full of sound words. It shows a fox going about its day in the rain and ends with a rainbow. Words like splatter, splutter, splash, swish, glop, gurgle, whish and pop are fun for the reader and the listener.
September 9, 2021
Watersong is a very simplistic and gorgeous children's picture book. The words in the book consist of sounds we connect to rain and rain falls. In addition, it has absolutely gorgeous artwork that warms the soul and spirit. A quick beautiful read that is worth the time.
April 11, 2025
MUST READ pre-K springtime. Accompany w “little April showers” from Bambi. LOVE the idea of following the progression of a storm + noticing the sounds of the storm. Also loved the personal element of the fox going home :)
March 3, 2017
Water sound rhyming words that are almost all onomatopoeia make for fun, yet calm, reading aloud in this beautifully illustrated book of a young fox's walk in the rain.
Sparse text.
STEM
Sparse text.
STEM
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews