School Library Journal Starred Review (Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

K-Gr 2 This first-rate book highlights the beauty and wonder of raina seemingly commonplace occurrenceand shows its effects upon the rest of the natural world. In general but lyrical terms, the work explains what raindrops do ("Raindrops settle. They slip. They dot."). The text is accompanied by scenes from a forest rainforest (drops clinging to flowers or spider webs, insects and birds dealing with the downpour). Sayre has created a poetic atmosphere, using rhyming words ("Raindrop spangles/mark angles."), and her vibrant, close-up photographs, which effectively complement the narrative and will engage children and adults alike. The last two spread, titled "A Splash of Science," offer information on the three forms of water (ice, liquid water, and water vapor) and their characteristics. This attractive work is also ideal for read-alouds and an easy entry for students delving into nonfiction reading, especially in poetry or science units. This excellent title will transform how readers think about rain. Tracey Wong, P.S. 54/Fordham Bedford Academy, Bronx, NY

ALA Booklist (Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2014)

Raindrops get a close-up treatment in this quietly informative picture book. In gorgeous, page-filling, full-color photos of raindrops on lush greenery, Sayre shows typical water behavior. "It patters" appears on a body of water dimpled by rain. "It fills" accompanies a waxy leaf tenuously cupping a large droplet. "They magnify" pairs with a raindrop distorting the spots on a lily petal. "Raindrops slowly dry" accompanies a picture of a rain-spattered leaf in the sun. Each clearly rendered photo focuses on drops of water as they pool, glob, drip, and slip down leaves and flowers, on beetles and lacy spiderwebs. The spare words altogether are loosely rhythmic, and the simplicity of the motion-based vocabulary is mostly effective at demonstrating what's happening in the photo. It's the rich visuals, however, that steal the show. Not only do the photos beautifully capture water in action but they zoom in on things most kids could see in their own backyards or neighborhoods especially useful approach for visual or hands-on learners. An author's note explains the water cycle in more detail.

Horn Book (Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

Captivating photos picture an oncoming storm, followed by shots of raindrops in various stages, configurations, and contexts, such as on a katydid's back or splashing into a stream. Sayre subtly explains the nuances of these appearances in minimal poetic phrases that use alliteration, onomatopoeia, and occasional rhyme and that closely follow the photographs. Scientific information about rain, the water cycle, and more is appended. Reading list.