Sometimes it can be disheartening for children to look out the window and see rain pouring down. However, rainy days can be so much fun with a pair of rubber boots or they can even be fun spent inside. One of our favorite things to do on rainy days is to snuggle up with a pile of books.
These ones I am sharing below are picture books that are perfect for rainy afternoons and guess what? They happen to be about rain. Perfection right?! This is one of my “ongoing” book lists that I plan to add to over the course of time as we discover new favorite books about rain. Check back on your rainy days for a little story time inspiration. (Trips to the library are also perfect on rainy days, am I right?!)
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“Rain!” by Linda Ashman and Christian Robinson- This is such a happy book and one of my personal rainy day favorites. In it a little girl helps to change the perspective of an older gentlemen from grumpy to pleasant on a rainy day by being friendly. Proof a smile goes a long way.
“Puddle” by Hyewon Yum– The little boy in this story is upset and bored upon discovering that it is a rainy day. However, a little rainy day drawing with his mom gets him in the mood to go out and enjoy the puddles.
“When the Rain Comes” by Alma Fullerton and Kim La Fave– This story is about a brave little girl who helps to protect her villages seed during a sudden tropical rainstorm. Her acts help protect her villages farming prosperity because of their dependence on the seeds. It is gorgeously illustrated and has a powerful message.
“Rain” by Sam Usher– The little boy in this story is so excited to go outside in the rain. He begs and begs his grandfather until he consents. Once outside they imagine a great parade outside enjoying the rain with them while they run errands. This one is a bit magical.
“Under the Umbrella” by Catherine Buquet and Marion Arbona– I am quite smitten with this one. It is about a grumpy man outside on a rainy day who sees nothing but gloomy weather until a little boy with an eye for the beautiful helps change his perspective. Another great book about the great influence of kindness.
“Singing in the Rain” by Tim Hopgood– The text in this book are the lyrics to the classic “Singing in the Rain” by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown. So you can sing along as your read! Also, the illustrations are modern, bright, and all-out happy! A new favorite over here.
“The Pink Umbrella” by Amelie Callot and Genevieve Godbout- This is a sweet and gentle love story about a young woman who is the heart and soul of the town. However, her mood changes with the weather and while she is perky and joyful on sunny days she is sad on rainy days. That is until a secret admirer gifts her with a pink umbrella and pink rain gear and shows her just how happy rainy days can be.
“The Big Umbrella” by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates- This book is a beautiful celebration of diversity and the simply fact that you can never run out of love to give. It is told using an umbrella as a metaphor for acceptance and it is a special umbrella that grows with the number of people under it. Such a powerful message for such a simple story.
“In the Rain” by Elizabeth Spurr and Manelle Oliphant- In this book a little girl heads outside to enjoy some time playing in the rain. It is sweet, simple and absolutely darling. It is bound to make any little reader want to head outside to play in the rain as well. Plus, the illustrations are beautiful.
“Ivy and the Lonely Raincloud” by Katie Harnett- This is the sweet story of a lonely raincloud and a sad little girl and how the two create a mutual friendships that brings them joy and companionship. Thought provoking and beautifully illustrated, this one is a treasure.
“Uni the Unicorn and The Dream come True” by
“Raindrop, Plop!” by Wendy Cheyette Lewison and Pam Paparone- This book is positively darling! It incorporates numbers/counting into the story of a little girl who spends the afternoon playing in the rain before heading inside to warm up. A lovely celebration of rain.
Look, It’s Raining by Mathieu Pierloot and Maria Dek- This book is a beautiful tribute to the “show” that nature puts on when it’s raining. I can’t imagine a prettier book to celebrate rain.
After the Rain by Rebecca Koehn and Simone Krüger- This rainy day story is about two children who are playing in the rainwater in the same space. At first, they battle things out, but soon they learn that playing together is much more fun.
Puddle Pug by Kim Norman and Keika Yamaguchi- This book isn’t really about rain, but it features puddles and they are a lovely side-effect of rainy days. It is a positively darling book and I just couldn’t leave it out.
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Bethany says
Hello, My husband went to the library with my daughter yesterday. He said he read a book about a Dad and Daughter trying to pass the time inside on a rainy day. He asks her, “where’s my favorite thing?” Eventually she smiles and says, “I found it.” I can’t find the title of this book. I’ve entered many keyword searches into amazon in the quest to find it. Thanks for letting me know if you’ve heard of it!
Clarissa says
Sadly, I don’t know which one that is. I hope you find it!
Kim (BookBairn) says
I need all these due to our lovely Scottish climate! Thanks for the list x