Rain

by Manya Stojic

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.

Manya Stojic's picture book debut is as satisfying and refreshing as the rain she describes. With paintings that are exuberant and saturated with color and a simple text that rolls off the tongue with pleasure and ease, here is a book parents and teachers will enjoy sharing again and again.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Animals, Childrens, Nature, Africa, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1999

About the author

See also Manja Stojic

Reviews

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. When I read it to preschoolers, instead of saying what animal was being told about the rain next, I would say, "I/We must tell the..." then turn the page to the next animal and let the kids tell me who was being told next based on the picture.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rain by Manya Stojic shows animals of the African savanna using their senses to predict the rain, and then enjoy its aftermath.

Stojic's bright, bold, colorful illustrations focus on porcupine, zebras, baboons, rhino, and lion. Closeups of the animal's faces bring readers into the story, and make this a strong choice for sharing with large groups. My favorite images are cover, lightning, raindrop, purr, mud, and fruit.

Stojic's text features descriptive words like cracked, sniffed, whispered, flashed, boomed, splashed, sighed, gushed, gurgled, feathery, juicy, and squelchy. The five senses are used by different animals, each adding another to the list, which is reapeated. The telltale cracks in the ground, warning of the coming drought, are noted at the start and end of the story. The varying, and very large, font makes this a beginning reader choice which will expand reader's vocabulary. The text should be shortened a bit to better work for toddlers. The true highlight are the colorful illustrations. 3.5 stars.

For ages 2.5 to 6, five senses, rain, seasons, weather, beginning readers, animals, story-time, repetition, and fans of Manya Stojic.

[Kyle Turck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rain is the story of a group of African animals that are awaiting the incoming rainstorm to help repair the heat damaged land that they live in. The illustrations in this book are amazing, but the story for me was lacking something that I just can't quite put my finger on. The book is pretty predictable and is aimed at younger readers, but the story itself didn't quite live up to the illustrations for me.

I would recommend this book to early elementary readers, primarily Kindergarten and 1st grade, as it employs a semi-predictable format which really helps out the younger beginning readers.

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through simple, repetitive phrases and big, bright bold illustrations, we see how the animals of the Savannah sense an approaching rain storm using all of their senses. At first, porcupine smells the rain and rushes off to tell zebra, who see the lightening of the approaching storm...and so on...until the rain passes and then the animals use their senses to enjoy the gifts the rain has left behind...the taste of the cool water, the lush green leaves, the tasty fruit. We leave the animals happily anticipating the next big rain.

[Asho · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has beautiful, active, bold illustrations. The story describes different animals experiencing a rain storm through their five senses. I would have given this book four stars, but I'm being nitpicky because I really wish that the post-rain activities were described using the same senses as the pre-rain activities. I wish the author had come up with something for each animal to taste, hear, smell, touch, and see after the rain storm as well as during it, just to further reinforce the theme.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Large, simple text and repetitive structures, combined with eye-popping, colorful illustrations make this a sure bet for storytime sharing. We've been having heaps of rain here in Southern California, so this is definitely one I will be sharing with my kiddos at preschool storytime. Kids are sure to love the animals that are included in the story, and a bonus point of interest for this book is covering the different senses in the context of rain.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A variety of desert animals use their senses to feel the rain and then enjoy its after effects. I liked the use of all the senses, especailly on a topic like rain. The story also comes full circle very nicely by returning to the first crack in the dry ground after the rain. Nice illustrations with bold colors that fill the page and text that stands out by changing size and position.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will be using this book for a rain-themed story time. This is my first time reviewing this book, but I have always used it for rain-themed story times. I like that it is set in Africa and that the characters are animals on the savannah, communicating with one another about the weather... and at the end, each animal reaps the rewards of the rain.

[burnspenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is cute and different. I like that it gives kids a little taste of Africa (for instance, you don't often see baboons in children's books). The illustrations are nice and it gives a little intro to the five senses. However, the story is really simple and just doesn't have much staying power. Readng this one aloud gets old fast.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well received at a lap time rain program. A parent asked if she could check it out. 4/13/11

Went over well again. 4/15/15

Chosen as last book at PJ and used again in Lap Time. 4/12/16

Read for Baby/Toddler Story Time and chosen again in Preschool Story Time. Love the tie in with senses and the animals.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely 'science' book without it being a science book! Teaching about our senses and how they help us in our environment. Teaching also how rain and drought does to our environment. Brilliant illustrations were just as great as the story. My adult special needs son loved this book. It caught and held his attention until the end and he had a big grin on his face at the end.

[Katy Jean Vance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am knocking off stars because it talks about Africa in general, not a specific African country or including maps in the back to show where the African savannah is located. This is where the idea that Africa is a country begins: children’s books. Drives me bonkers.

That said, beautiful imagery and a nice entryway into discussing the effects of rain and/or the water cycle with young children.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the pictures. Bold colors. Big. Bright. And still cute. (I'm a fan of cute when it comes to children's books.) I could possibly book talk this one, but I think it's borderline young audience. Though it might work if I have K-1 in the group. More thinking.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it at Library storytime a long time ago. We picked it up this week and June loves it! Especially when I do all the voices. :)


Barefoot Books

[Rebekah Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to use when talking about the senses. It has beautiful illustrations that keep your attention. It has a rhyming text. I liked the book because it does teach about how the weather is in Africa and it shoes you what all you can do with rain.

[Janae · Rating 3 out of 5]

The animals in Africa are all anticipating the rain (with their various senses) and then describe what the rain does to help them after it arrives. Cute illustrations. I liked it, but my toddler wasn't into it at all.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bright and big brushstroke illustrations highlight the rain/drought cycle of the African savanna and how the animals know the rain is on its way. Repetition of each animal's way of telling the rain is coming adds up on each page until the rain falls.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning read! The illustrations are vivid and the introduction to wet-and-dry cycles of the savanna is a treat. Actually, for those of us who live in the desert, the bursting forth of green still resonates...even if our animals aren't quite so cool. :)

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slew of dessert animals pass the message along that rain is coming. Then each one enjoys the fruits of the rain. Preschool and up for complexity and length.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations are effective and the repetitive language seems like it would make it a great read-aloud to children. It teaches a lot in a subtle way.

[Goshen PL Childrens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read at Storytime on March 21st
Theme: Spring Weather

[Ruth Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A celebration of rain in the African savanna.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as part of a rain-themed storytime for preschoolers.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun read aloud! Great for senses and circular story.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a contender for a rain-themed storytime.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could be a decent addition to a rain or weather themed story time. The illustrations are nice.

[Sherry Tobin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books deals with the 5 senses. Set in Africa

[Jamie Rollerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book to my 4th graders (I'm Student Teaching) but hid the cover and didn't show them the pictures. They were instructed to listen and think about the things they were hearing, the descriptions of what things looked/sounded/felt/tasted/smelled like. After reading they were randomly sorted into groups and created an art piece together using only ripped construction paper and glue on their choice of a large rectangle of colored paper and their choice of ground color. They created this piece while thinking about what they remembered from the book. Once finished and dried, the groups got in a circle and held their piece so they could see everyone else's. We played a read aloud so they could see the illustrations while seeing what their peers created and how it was similar to the book descriptions and illustrations. Their art was AMAZING! The inferences used were so spot on for many, some elaborated using what they know about the world to create their pieces. It was such a great lesson and really showed their comprehension through just oral storytelling. Also, just a great book with beautiful illustrations. A bit young, reading level wise, for them, but for this project specifically it was great!

[Emily]

I thought this book was simple and quirky and the rhythm of the story was amusing. I definitely am looking for a time to read it again!

I think it'd be interesting to add this as a science prong, noting how rain occurs all over but may be "signaled" differently. Could be added to a rain text-set.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this picture book! It has various animals, nicely painted with thick paint. It tells about the cycles of nature.