"Enchanting and poetic, this picture book suggests a new way to look at rainy days. A lonely girl is caught in the rain on her way home; she rushes inside, but the rain searches for her. The rain is rebuffed at every turnuntil it finds the girl, dressed in a raincoat and splashing in a puddle. Other rain-loving creatures join in as colorful, layered raindrops fall on geese, frogs, and flowers before turning to a spray of rainbows in the sun." Danielle Ballantyne, Foreword Reviews, Starred Review
"While books about romping in the snow abound, this Czech import offers the rain as playmate. When a light-skinned little girl has no one to play with, she decides to take a walk, only to get caught in the rain. She runs home, and the personified rain chases after her, eager to play. The rain tapped on the window, calling for her to come back out, reads a plaintive page on which a raincloud with a face has turned an expressive pale blue. Apparently confused when someone else ventures outside, the rain searches for the girl, who remains indoors. It encounters animals who also shy away, not wanting to get wet. Then, finally, Squoosh! Squoosh! The sound of boots in a puddle. It was the little girl, all dressed up for the rain. Sporting a classic yellow slicker and red rainboots, the child is ready to play, and soon we see other creatures enjoying the rain, toogeese, a worm, a snail, ducks, and sparrows. A culminating rainbow is the cherry on top of this quiet story, with retro-style art that invites repeat readings. Never mind the old refrain Rain, rain, go away! This tale showcases the fun of rainy-day play." Kirkus Reviews
"In this tale of a happy day in wet weather, a girl is taking a solitary walk when she notices the beginnings of a drizzle. Its not until it starts to pour that she heads for home. The rain, depicted as a round, wide-eyed face made up of variously colored drops, playfully follows the girl to her house. Encouraging her to come outside and frolic, the shower taps lightly on her windowpane. A gentleman and some animals, including a dog, a cat, and a hen and her chicks, dont like gettingwet, so they run for cover, while other creatures, such as sparrows, ducks, worms, and a frog, are perfectly content to remain in the open, relishing the dampness. When the sun breaks through the clouds, both the girl and readers are in for a treat. Soft-hued illustrations are intriguing, and the joy of the rain is palpable. Originally published in the Czech Republic in 1975, Lukeová's universal tale will still be enjoyed by children 50 years later." Booklist
"Its a sweet and gentle story that helps shift the perspective of those who only see the gloom. And a quiet reminder that beauty can be found even in the grayest moments. The illustrations have a uniquely nostalgic charm, and I loved how the colors slowly bloom and grow more vibrant with every turn of the page." Watermark Books&Cafe, Bookseller
