When It Rains – at a glance
School reading lists’s five word review: Charming, thoughtful – ideal to share!
Children’s book title: When It Rains.
Children’s author: Rassi Narika.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Illustrated by: Rassi Narika.
Published by: The Emma Press.
ISBN: 9781910139639
Recommended for children aged: 8+.
First published: Paperback March 2019.
This children’s book is ideal for: sharing with your child and discussing different ways of seeing things.
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This charmingly illustrated paperback picture book by Rassi Narika tells the story of Kira, a little girl who begins to question why we behave the way we do when it rains, and how being in the rain is, in fact, exciting and fun.
The short one sentence paragraphs in this story are ideal for shared or paired reading. The watercolour illustrations are child-friendly, and each one depicts Kira and her friends in a situation – which could be a useful impetus for creating art or discussing the story.
We loved the positive and refreshing outlook on life which this book promotes. Rain – traditionally depressing and a cause for boredom – is presented as an opportunity – a glimpse into joyous freedom. Gloomy weather is turned on its head.
Using When It Rains in the classroom
In terms of using this book for teaching and with classes, there’s a scene with busy umbrellas and a double-paged spread looking from the top of the building down onto the colourful patterns of moving objects which would both be great for discussing different ways of looking at situations and problems in literacy and PSHE, and also inspiration for connected art topics.
At the end is a map of all the places that Ana, Ilo, and Kira visit in the story. Not only is this interesting to look at and talk about, but teachers could apply this idea to other stories or a child’s own writing – either for planning and creating a story, or reviewing a story a child has written or read. This could be a particularly useful tool in EYFS and KS1.
Our verdict
Perfect for reading aloud, reading in small groups and discussing different ways of looking at things or finding an alternative point of view in circle time and PSHE. Definitely a book to save for a rainy day! Many thanks to The Emma Press for a review copy.
If you like this book you might also like Tusk Tusk by David McKee, The Red Tree by Shaun Tan, Where Do They Go When It Rains? by Gerda Muller, Singing in the Rain by Tim Hopgood and The Real Boat by Marina Aromshtam.
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