Rain Brings Frogs: A Little Book of Hope

by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Behind every cloud there is sun. Nate always sees the bright side of life. While others complain about rain, Nate is happy about the frogs that it brings. When you might think there is nothing to do, Nate is just happy to enjoy the view. Instead of wanting more, Nate is grateful for what he's got. Smile along with Nate as he enjoys all the good things life has to offer.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Inspirational

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

Maryann Cocca-Leffler of NH, is the Author and Illustrator of over
60 books for children. Maryann’s book, Janine (2015) and its new sequel, Janine and the Field Day Finish (2016), were inspired by her daughter, Janine. Together they have developed a corresponding website, www.janinesparty.com with a mission to help change public perception of children with disabilities. Other books include, A Homemade Together Christmas, Bus Route to Boston and Bravery Soup.
Now a playwright, Maryann wrote a play based on her Princess KIM books. Princess K.I.M. The Musical won a National New Play Festival in 2012 and has had sold out performances on the East and West coasts. Princess K.I.M. The Musical is now represented by Stagerights.com, a licensing agency in LA to bring the play National.

Maryann grew up in the Boston area (read Bus Route To Boston!) and attended Massachusetts College of Art and Design where she received a BFA in Illustration. Her very first book, Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’ written by Eileen Spinelli, was published in 1982 and has been re-released in 2015 as a classic. When not in her studio, Maryann is traveling, visiting schools and attending her play.

If you are interested in a school visit, please check out the VISITS link on my website:
www.MaryannCoccaLeffler.com
www.JaninesParty.com
www.PrincessKimTheMusical.com

Reviews

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe a bit sugar-coated, but this little gem shows the power of optimism.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple message about looking on the bright side of everything so you don't end up grumpy and missing out.

Ages: 3 - 6

See which rainy day books our family is enjoying: watch my reel!

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[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The boy and I read this tonight, a rainy night, after my aunt (his great-aunt) sent it to us. SO. SWEET. I loved it! Each two-page spread is a comparison: a friend or family member says something negative-ish, and Nate (the main character) counters with a positive. If Nate was a real kid, the undying optimism without realism might be annoying, but in a picture book I found it endearing. The illustrations are pen-and-watercolor on simple white backgrounds, which kept the boy's attention. I only regret that it's a regular-weight-paper book and not a board book, so the boy almost crumpled a page in his eagerness to turn it! It might still be a bit too soon for us to move to these. In a Nate-like manner, though, I grabbed the moment to tell the boy about care with thinner-paged books (and to reinforce care with our pup, who, incidentally, just had surgery)! ;) A great rainy-day book; whether that day is literally rainy or just emotionally rainy!

An interesting note: on the very first two-page spread, the mom says that it's raining (realist, not pessimist) and she looks just like me!

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book makes you look at the bright side of things.

[Owen and Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love that the optimistic kid in this book is named Nate

[Zazie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was dumb and I can't see many kids living this one. But, hey, I am not the target audience, so, who knows...

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and simple picture book about optimism and contentment. It illustrates well how we can look for the good in all of the situations around us. I thoroughly enjoyed it. A quick and easy read that teaches a lesson that my kids (and myself!) need to be reminded of often. It clearly taught the principle of optimism without being overly (or boringly) preachy. I highly recommend it. Also - if anyone knows of any other books that help children learn about optimism and contentment - I would love to hear those recommendations as well. :)

[Shanshad Whelan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute if slightly overly preachy story about an optimistic little boy who always sees the glass as half full while others see it as half empty. It's not a bad book at all, but we get the point pretty quickly, and kids might too. Still, it could work as an exercise with kids to practice changing their perspective.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

When other people say, “I hate rain,” Nate says, “Rain brings frogs!”

Nate is the eternal optimist. Everyone else bemoans their fate, but Nate always finds the good in the bad situation.

Children were not as taken with this book as I was. Perhaps it’s just a bit more for grumpy grownups.

“When Casey says, ‘I lost,” Nate says, ‘I finished.’”

[Rbettermann]

A little book of hope. This cute little book is written by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. I would recommend this book for Kindergarten. It is a book about hope and finding the best joy out of a circumstance and making the most of it. The main character is about a lively little boy who turns disappointment into hope every chance he gets.

[Nielson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even when it is raining, muddy, ugly, or cloudy, Nate can see the bright side of things! Darling picture book about optimism and the power of positive thinking. This would be a great book to use for a social skills lesson!

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have what feels like a mantra for our kids: "Be happy with what you have, not unhappy with what you don't have." The illustrations were great. After the first page, where we talked about who was happy and positive and who wasn't, they kept saying, "Look, Nate is still happy!"

[Merissa Ellerbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this book. its great for younger kids to be grateful for what they have. i chose this book for a varsity assignment. i found it difficult to think of fun activities that kids can do that relate to the book.

[Maryann Cocca-Leffler]

This is my own book- which will soon be published. I hope some of you read it and review it.
THanks!

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little picture book book lit up my day! An inspiration and a reminder that there is much joy to be found even in the little things.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well told book about optimism, has great connections for social skills training and to build emotional intelligence, but it is not didactic.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got to look on the bright side of life.

[Tracie]

Very sweet picture book about a little boy who always sees the sunny side of life.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book about optimism! Every negative is given a positive spin in this simple story. Cute illustrations, interesting scenarios, very useful book overall :)

[Dana Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

A picture book about looking on the bright side of things.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preschool- Grade 1. What a great book about looking at the positive in everything. LOVE IT!

[LoriAnn Kocialski]

Very cute inspiration book!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cure book about looking at the positive side of things!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book about staying positive.

[Mel Raschke]

When other people say, "I hate rain," Nate says, "Rain brings frogs!" Nate is the eternal optimist. Everyone else bemoans their fate, but Nate always finds the good in the bad situation.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal little book about looking on the bright side. Great illustrations too! Wonderful message and moral. Loved it.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little book about looking on the bright side of things, and being generally happy.

[Jenny Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the positive values conveyed by this book: being appreciative of what we already have in life.

[Mollie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always look on the bright side of life.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Grateful

A great great story for all ages to look on the bright side of things. A good reminder to be thankful for what you have. It may be better than what you think.