First Rain

by Charlotte Herman, Kathryn Mitter (Illustrator)

Abby and her parents have moved to Israel, where they've always dreamed of living. Abby's excited about her new home, but she misses her grandma. As they exchange letters and emails, Abby tells about her new life-learning Hebrew, eating falafel, and floating in the Dead Sea. And through the long dry summer, as she looks forward to the first rain of autumn, she misses how she and Grandma used to splash and play on rainy days. Finally, one morning, Abby hears the long-awaited ping ping ping on the roof. And then something even more wonderful happens. Kathryn Mitter's bright paintings perfectly complement Charlotte Herman's appealing story of the love between a grandma and a little girl.

Genres: Jewish, Picture Books, Cultural, Childrens, Israel, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2010

About the author

Charlotte Herman is the author of many beloved books for children, including the acclaimed Millie Cooper series and The House on Walenska Street. Like Dorrie, Charlotte possesses a lifelong love of family, chocolate malteds, and hot fudge sundaes. She makes her home outside of Chicago.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for many reasons. As I looked for books that were about weather this book is about rain, but only as a metaphor to a much deeper story. This story has culture and family bonds. This book is about a young Jewish girl was was is moving to Israel for the summer with her parents, but not her grandmother. The young girl and the grandmother were very close and sad to be apart for a long period of time. The book is about all of Abby's, the young girl, adventures as she writes letters and tells her grandmother about Israel. One great aspect about this book is it takes you into the culture of Israel as Abby travels to Jerusalem, Western Wall, the Dead Sea it give short detail about all these places. This story and illustration also give you an idea of the everyday life style in another country. From the food and clothes to the environment. I enjoyed this story because it gives elementary children a wonderful idea of what another country, Israel, is like as well as the family connection between Abby and her grandmother. Abby and her grandmother have a very loving relationship as they seem to be best friends and find a way to stay in contact. This book would be enjoyable by most readers as it is educational and interesting.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book depicts the story of a young, American girl named Abby that moves back to Israel with her parents and leaves her grandma behind in the United States. The move Abby and her parents make is called “Aliyah” in the Hebrew language; where Jews move back to Israel. Abby communicates with her grandmother by phone calls, letters, and email. She describes what she sees and her experiences in her new home in Israel. While she is sightseeing, eating new foods, and slowly learning Hebrew, she is also patiently awaiting the first rain because it doesn’t rain in the summer in Israel. In the end, it starts to rain and when Abby is going outside to play in the rain, she sees her grandmother in the doorway and they both go play in the rain together.
This book could be used to teach students from K-5 about different religions and cultures other than the United States. There aren't much books about the Jewish faith and this book could help open children's eyes on some of the customs that Jewish people have.

[April Lipkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

I am between three and a half and four years old and I liked all of this book. I liked the little girl in the story. It made me want to have a surprise visitor and go outside in the rain!

[Hatka Kecalovic · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book First Rain by Charlotte Herman discusses the Hebrew cultures. The book can be used to describe the family structure of Hebrew cultures. The book can also be used to describe the struggles children deal with when moving to a new country. This book can be used in Kindergarten-5 grade classrooms.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

At First I thought this was just about rain, and I want it to rain here. But instead it about a girl how moves far away from her Grandma to Israel. They talk by phone and the internet but they reminisce about the rain... nice little story. I also like the pictures. I also learned a little Hebrew along the way

[J. Gurantz]

part jewish girl moves with parents to Israel
she and grandma write to each other
grandma uses INTERNET

[Bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun introduction for young ones making aliyah. Very few Hebrew words, but good ones, too.