cover image Rainy Day Puddle

Rainy Day Puddle

Ei Nakabayashi, Ei Nakaeayashi. Random House Books for Young Readers, $4.95 (21pp) ISBN 978-0-394-82095-8

This book, an entry in the Just Right series, opens on a rainy day. As a puddle gets bigger, a frog finds his oasis overtaken by larger animals--a turtle, a crocodile, a hippo and an elephant. They frolic until the rain stops. The puddle dries and the inhabitants leave--except for the frog, who knows he will see his friends on the next rainy day. This charming, economical book may inspire a discussion about sizes, as well as of cause and effect. It's an appropriate length for those who have progressed beyond concept books, and stands up well through repeat readings. Ages 2-3. (Apr.)