Picture Book Pick: Rain

  Rain by Cynthia Rylant Illustrated by Lisa Congdon Beach Lane Books an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing 2023 48 pages ISBN: 9781442465091 Rain is a celebration! Vibrant, colorful artwork of squirrels, birds, dogs, cats, ducks and children illustrate how each celebrate rain. The animals know before it rains; squirrels go home to their nests, but the dogs have known it was going to rain since yesterday because dogs can sense it. The ducks love the rain and revel in the pond. Because of rain, everything is refreshed, renewed and grows strong. "All because of rain," everything is better.  Rain is a lovely, breathtaking picture book sure to win awards for illustrator Lisa Congdon.  Highly recommended pre-school to 1st grade.