Oh, the smell of garam pakodas and corn! The monsoons are here and how!
The southern and western parts of the country are luckily receiving a good amount of rainfall (if not great) and that’s got all of us to do the happy dance! As much as I am paranoid about the monsoon and the illness that it brings along, we do ensure that our kid experiences the first drops of the season- the typical joys of childhood! Today we tell you the best books that help explaining rains and the whole science behind them in a fun and engaging way for your kids. Happy Reading!
Also head to Summer Fun Factory for age-wise book lists for kids.
1. Splish! Splash! A Book About Rain
Age: 5-9 years
Author: Josepha Sherman
What this book tells your kids: This is not a story book, but explains the processes involved in rains, water cycle, droughts and floods to the little minds that can think. Can be classified as a science book or a non-fiction book or a bed time book that inspires your kids to think. Buy the book here.
Age: 3-5 years
Author: Caroline Jayne Church
What this book tells your kids: This one is for the li'l readers in your house! The book is based on the widely popular rhyme that goes by the same name and is complemented by adorable pictures that your kids will love. Relive the joys of childhood with this book. Buy the book here.
Age: 3- 5 years
Author: Marion Dane Bauer
What this book tells your kids: Little kids and puppies are alike- they are both scared of rains and storms, right? Here's the story of a little boy who is extremely scared of storms and there's nothing that can calm him except one. What's that? Find out. Buy the book here.
4. Are You Ready To Play Outside?
Age: 5 years and above
Author: Mo Willems
What this book tells your kids: How much excited can get a few drops of rain make you? Gerald, the elephant and Piggie the pig are best buds and their joy knows no bounds when they hear the first pitter patter raindrops. Add this to your Mo Willems collection- we are sure your kids will love it as much as we did. Buy the book here.
Age: 4 years and above
Author: Karen Hesse
What this book tells your kids: Picture this book as an English version of our desi Lagaan! Only the protagonist here is a sweet child who wishes for the rain to "freckle our feet" and "glaze our toes". Read on to know how much the little girl wishes for the rains and when it does, how she is overpowered with happiness! Buy the book here.
6. Big Rain
Age: 6 years and above
Author: Gayathri Bashi
What this book tells your kids: Rain is fun and something that kids will love. But how do you explain "lots and lots of rain" to a 3-year-old? This author makes use of an engaging narrative to explain to her 3-year-old about the recent Kerala floods and why rains, are not always welcome, especially when they come in a whole new, frightening format. Buy the book here
Age: 8 years and above
Author: Roopal Kewalya
What this book tells your kids: How would it be to live a life where you haven't witnessed rain at all? Little Anoushqa lives in a city where she hasn't witnessed what it means to have even the slightest rainfall. How does she then believe her Grandpa's tales of thunderstorms and floods? How does he go about chasing the impossible to fulfil her grandfather's wish? Buy the book here
Age: 5 years and above
Author: Miraya Vakharia
What this book tells your kids: An innocent picture book on what happens when it rains and why it is blue in colour. Told from the perspective of a 3-year-old little girl, this book is something your kids can totally relate to- coming from someone their age. Buy the book here.
Author: Neha
Age: 6 years and above
What this book tells your kids: A book that teaches an important concept to the young minds. With the country facing acute water shortage, here is this book from 2018 that teaches kids all about rainwater harvesting, why we need to do it and how it helps us during the difficult days. Buy the book here.
10. When It Rains
Age: 3 and above
Author: Jay Spencer
What this book tells your kids: We rush to grab the umbrella at the sigh of a mere drizzle. And then, of course, we have our raincoats and we stay indoors. What do animals do when it rains? This wonderful picture book helps explain that to the young minds. Buy the book here.
Age: 3 years and above
Author: Vinod Lal Heera Eshwar
What this book tells your kids: Again some simple but beautiful illustrations with words that leave us with the message of the treasure that rainwater is. Buy the book here.
12. Raindrops
Age: 4 years and above
Author: Vaishali Shroff
What this book tells your kids: What do you do when it rains? What do you observe? Do you observe the pitter-patter raindrops? Or do you look at the dripping flowers? What do you see? This book tells kids what little Anju sees when it rains. Buy the book here.
Parul Gupta
Mansi Zaveri
Tanya Lemos
KSP Team
