When the rain just doesn’t seem to go away, finding ways to keep your child entertained can feel like a daunting task. However, rainy days provide the perfect opportunity to help instill a lifelong love of reading in your child. The five suggestions below are excellent options that your child is sure to love.
#1 – The Rain Came Down
If everyone seems especially sleepy or grouchy on rainy days, they certainly aren’t alone. This book by David Shannon is a testament to that. The story focuses on animals, traffic, babies, and people whose moods seem to change even as the rain continues to pour down. It’s a cute book that your child is sure to love, and even though it’s for kids, there’s a very good chance you will relate.
#2 – Are You Ready to Play Outside?
This cute book by Mo Willems is all about a little pig who just can’t wait to go outside and play. Unfortunately, a rainy day looms on the horizon, and Piggie fears the worst. This is a perfect book for you to read with a child who may be upset about having his or her plans rained out. The artwork and storytelling are simple, but the message it provides is one that won’t soon be forgotten.
#3 – Down Comes the Rain (Let’s Read and Find Out Science Stage 2)
Sometimes kids just don’t understand why rain must come along and ruin a perfectly good sunny day. In this educational book by Dr. Franklyn M. Branley (illustrated by James Graham Hale), you can teach your child all about the science behind rain. Learn about things like how clouds form in the first place and what happens to the rain after it has fallen. Your little one may end up with a newfound appreciation for raindrops after this cute book.
#4 – Rain!
This book is a story about a little boy and an old man who have very different views about the pouring rain. Linda Ashman does a fantastic job of explaining that it’s okay to have differing emotions about the weather, but sometimes, rain isn’t as bad as we make it out to be. Eventually, the two characters meet one another and give each other a little bit of the other’s perspective. It’s adorable, it’s fun, and you (and your child) will love it.
#5 – Rain School
This last book on the list is sure to tug on some heart strings. It’s by James Rumford, and it’s based on a true story of a community in Chad that comes together every single year to fight adversity. Heavy rains are part of life for people in this part of the world, and in some cases, the rains are so heavy that they wash the entire school away. Rather than allow this event to get them down, the kids, teachers, and families come together to rebuild the school – and they enjoy every minute of it, too.
If you’re looking for some excellent books to read with your kids on rainy days, whether just to pass the time or to help your child better understand why every day can’t be a sunny day, these five options are truly amazing, well-written, and relatable. Other options are available through Amazon and at your local library.