Rain

As the red soil of the African savanna becomes parched and cracked, the porcupine SMELLS the rain coming. She tells the zebras, who SEE the rain coming and gallop off to tell the baboons. The baboons HEAR the rain coming. The rhino FEELS it. And the lion TASTES the rain. All the animals use their senses to predict the change of weather. Soon, the sky opens and it rains and rains and rains until every river gushes and gurgles. When it stops, green buds and grasses sprout and the animals find shelter in the shade of the big leaves and the cool, squelchy mud and relish the "fresh, juicy fruit from the trees" and long, refreshing drinks from the water hole. Manya Stojic's exuberant picture book celebrates nature's sometimes extreme but always magical methods in madness. From scorching drought to frenzied rainfall and back again, all the animals live in harmony with this natural cycle. Stojic's artwork is stunning--lush golds, fiery red-oranges, cool, wet blues, and brilliant greens burst off the pages, while the soft grays, blacks, and browns of the savanna creatures, with their visible brush strokes, seem to come alive before our very eyes. Rain is as golden, vibrant, and palpably refreshing as Flora McDonnell's Splash!--another wonderful picture book about delicious, delicious water. (Ages 3 and older) --Emilie Coulter