It's Raining, It's Pouring

by Peter Yarrow, Christine Davenier (Illustrator)

In this unique offering of a book and CD recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary , one of the most beloved children's songs gets a rollicking picture book treatment by the beloved trio. Featuring witty and whimsical art by the renowned illustrator Christine Davenier, this stunning new book offers plenty of fun, whether it's raining or not. Complete with a CD featuring Peter, Paul & Mary's marvelous version of the title song, along with Peter Yarrow singing "Believe Town" and Noel Paul Stookey performing "Glory of Love," this beautiful picture book is perfect for rainy days, bedtime, or any time.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Childrens, Music

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2012

About the author

Peter Yarrow was an American singer and songwriter who found fame as a member of the 1960s folk trio Peter Paul & Mary. Yarrow co-wrote (with Lenny Lipton) one of the group's best known hits, "Puff, the Magic Dragon." He was also a political activist and supported causes that ranged from opposition to the Vietnam War to school anti-bullying programs. Yarrow was convicted in 1970 of molesting a 14-year-old girl, for which he was pardoned in 1981 by President Jimmy Carter.

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations couldn't have been better and the day depicted in the pictures would be any child's ideal rainy day! I enjoyed how they brought several nursery rhymes together and reading the book with the CD isn't half bad either.

Ages: 3 - 7

Content Considerations: A line from the song reads, "Won't be my father's Jack. No, I won't be my mother's Jill. I'll be a fiddler's wife and fiddle when I will."

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[Ike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter, Paul & Mary have always been one of my favorite Folk Groups. Their rendition of this classic story was made all the more enjoyable when my Granddaughter (3 yrs. old) pulled it from the shelves and asked me to read it to her. We thoroughly enjoyed the illustrations by Christine Davenier and the rhyming of the words. She excitedly picked out all the animals, made sounds for them and we had a good read and a good laugh. More importantly, we mad a GREAT memory.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute picture book, great for a rainy day. The pictures tell the story since most of the book is nursery rhymes. I got a little bored of repeating the It's Raining, It's Pouring rhyme, but the picture changed each time, so the story progressed.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read part and have students finish, it is familiar to them, It's Raining, It's Pouring and Starlight, Star bright

[Aarvik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful read with different songs!

[Nanny B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was confused at first with the back and forth with the mixing up of the children's rhymes. Then I realized it was a Peter, Paul, and Mary song that had a cd recording to go along with the book.

[Crystal Velez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awards: N/A

Grade: Birth-Kindergarten

Summary: Peter, Paul and Mary's It's Raining, It's Pouring claims to be a song book, but it appears to be more of a collection of nursery rhymes to the tune of the song "It's Raining, It's Pouring". Children could sing along to the "It's Raining" chorus every other page, but overall it goes in and out skipping from a random nursery rhyme to the actual song itself.

Review: The pictures are rough, but they are colorful which would attract a child's eye. The book also comes with a CD so you can play their version of this "song" to a class. I was not a fan of this at all though, overall it was too choppy.

In Class Use: I wouldn't. Maybe just to have in my library collection (?)

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, I'm giving this four stars, but that's from the perspective of someone who has listened to this song off the Peter Paul & Mommy album oh, hundreds of times over the last 40 years. The text as printed in the book, which weaves nursery rhymes together with the "It's Raining" chorus while describing a game of hide-and-seek, is EXACTLY what they sing, to the word...so much so that I could hear Mary Travers' voice in my head before I finished reading the first verse.

So for me, this book was a delightful, imaginative expansion of that song, effortlessly adding more layers than the song alone, and seamlessly tying them all together. For instance, the book starts with the familiar refrain: "It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring, bumped his head and he went to bed and he couldn't get up in the morning." Well, in the song, this just serves to set up the idea of a rainy day and an indoor game of hide-and-seek. But Christine Davenier starts HER story on the endpapers...where you see a large house in the country with a grandma and a grandpa, kids everywhere, and another carload of cousins driving up. Then on the title page, the grandpa bumps his head on a hanging plant on the porch...and as the rain starts and everyone comes inside, he is tucked into bed with an ice pack while the grandchildren organize their game of hide and seek. Ta-dah! An old man in bed. So where do the other nursery rhymes come in? Well, one of the grandchildren has tucked him or herself into bed with grandpa, and is reading a Mother Goose book to him to help him feel better.

Perfect.

I also love the fanciful Hey Diddle Diddle details throughout...catch the cat getting ready to paw Grandpa's fiddle on the last spread.

However, if you don't happen to have this song hard-wired into YOUR brain, I can see that the text, even with the great illustrations, could feel discombobulated: What's with the nursery rhymes? Why are all these different ideas squashed together like this? So your mileage may totally vary, but I might have to get this for my sister for Christmas, because when she reads it, she'll hear Mary's voice in her head, too.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. Awards received: This book has not received any awards.

2. Appropriate grade level(s): This book is appropriate for preschool to grade 1.

3. Summary: This book features the classic nursery rhyme and song “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring”. The book doesn't stop there; it also incorporates “Star Light, Star Bright”, “Ladybug Ladybug”, “Hey Diddle Diddle”, and “I Won’t Be My Father’s Jack”. Alongside these nursery rhymes/songs, the book includes a game of hide-and-seek that cuts into the book every couple of verses. These nursery rhymes and game of hide-and-seek tell the story of a rainy day that causes a group of kids to bring their fun indoors. Their grandfather bumps his head, but he wakes up in the morning.

4. I enjoyed the variety of nursery rhymes/songs and how they are set up in the book. From start to finish, “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” is the focal point, but in between the verses of the rhyme, there are other nurses rhymes and a game of hide-and-seek going on. I just found that very interesting, and it kept my attention throughout the book to see what would come next in terms of the game and what new nursery rhyme would be introduced. The illustrations are soft and easy on the eye. On the downside, I would say that the inclusion of many nursery rhymes along with the inclusion of a game of hide-and-seek can make the book hard to follow along with for some readers.

5. Uses in the classroom:
-The students can illustrate a verse from the story.
-The students can think with a partner or discuss in small groups about what they do on a rainy day (like the kids in the story play hide-and-seek).
-Students can listen to the audio of the book while following along.

[Emily Cappiello · Rating 3 out of 5]

“It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” Illustrated by Christine Davenier; published by Charlesbridge; Massachusetts; copyright 2012.

1. Awards the book has received: This book has not received any awards.

2. Appropriate grade level(s): This book is appropriate for children from Preschool-Kindergarten.

3. Summary: This is a song book that comes with a CD recording of Peter Paul and Mary singing the story. This story includes a few other nursery rhymes in the form of song besides “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring”. The story also includes parts of “Rain Rain Go Away” and “Hey Diddle Diddle”. The story also includes number counting while the children in the story are playing hide and seek during the rainstorm.

4. Review: I really enjoy this story because it includes many nursery rhymes that children will be able to recognize and connect to. I also enjoy the use of numbers and the repetition within the story. Children will really like that there is a CD to sing along to the story with. This book can teach more than literacy skills but also incorporates mathematics.

5. Uses in the classroom:
• Students can practice counting by playing hide and seek in the classroom.
• Students can write about their favorite thing they like to do when it is raining.
• Along with their writing, they can illustrate a picture to go along with it.
• Students can listen to the story along with the song on the CD and then can be given the book to follow along with the words. This will help with word recognition.

[Sophia Davanzo]

“It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” by Christine Davenier; copyright 2012

Awards this book has received: This book has not received any awards.

Appropriate grade levels: This book is appropriate for preschool through second grade.

Summary: This song book goes along with the original song very well. It is about children who go outside to play when the rain stops them. One child is with their grandpa when he bumps his head. The child then finds out that the grandfather is able to get up in the morning.

Review: I like this book because it is a spinoff of the original song “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring”. The whole book goes along with the song, making it very enjoyable for the audience while they sing along and read at the same time. The beautiful and detailed illustrations in this book really stuck out to me.

Uses in the classroom:
-Use this book to talk about trends that happen in Spring. Brainstorm a list of things that happen in the Spring. Ex: rain, flowers bloom…
-Think/pair/share with a partner. What does everyone do when it is raining outside? Ex: play video games, watch a movie, etc….

[Sarah Childs]

���It’s Raining, it’s Pouring” illustrated by Christine Davenier; published by Charlesbridge; Watertown, MA; copyright 1997

1. Awards this book has received: none

2. Appropriate grade level: this book is appropriate for preschool to second grade

3. Summary: The famous nursery rhyme, “It’s Raining, it’s pouring” is transformed into a children’s book with unique illustrations and a new story to go along with the song. A group of kids decide to play hide-and-seek indoors when it starts to rain. One child reads a story in bed with the Grandpa.

4. Review: This book is fun to read with kids, especially on a rainy day. It shows that a rainy day can still be fun. The best way to read this book is with the accompanying Peter, Paul, and Mary CD.

5. Uses in the classroom:

-Read the book out loud to the class with the CD. Ask the students if the audio component helps them listen, how it makes them feel, what they like or don’t like about it.

-Write about your favorite “rainy day” activities.

-Teacher brings some “rainy day” activities to the class. Students can try them out later that day.

[Justin Myerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

No Awards
An original take on the nursery rhyme, "It's raining, It's pouring", mixing in other nursery rhymes such as, hey diddle diddle, and Father Jack. It rains in the story and the children have to play inside and give their grandfather company when he's sick. The children figure out how to play inside and have just as much fun playing in doors.
This book is a generic take on the song, "It's raining, It's pouring", offering something new to the famous children's song. I wish the book did more though as it lacks content and story. I would recommend this book to very early readers who still enjoy listening to nursery rhymes.
Grade Level: k-1
In class Uses: -Great for a music class to use when doing lessons on popular children's songs, good for music teacher to read to improve early literacy
-This book includes an audio CD, it may be wise for the teacher to play it in order to benefit children who are good at audio learning. Helps develop listening skills and listening comprehension.

[Dione Basseri · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, right away, this book is mainly meant for those that already enjoy the titular song by Peter, Paul and Mary. If you're not familiar with it, you do have a chance of enjoying the experience, but probably won't be blown away. The artwork is a bit too messy, and following the actual text of the song, while a good marketing decision, makes for a chaotic book. The song is all about weaving together little bits of other nursery rhymes, so when you try and do that in the book, you end up with a lot of repeating scenes and no real story.

Bad? Not entirely. But very, very focused on their audience. So, yes, if you like PP&M, go right ahead. You'll enjoy the three-track CD that comes along with the book, and like showing it to your kids as the CD plays. But PP&M never appealed to you? Very much pass. It's not so good as just a picture book on its own merits.

[Emma Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. No Awards
2. Kindergarten and Preschool
3. This is a song book where the children are singing the classic "It's raining, its pouring the old man is snoring" song. Throughout the book more of the song is added on to the original sentence and the kids also count in steps of five. Eventually at the end of the book, the old man is feeling better and the rain has stopped.
4. I really enjoyed this book! The song was a lot of fun and very silly and I enjoyed the counting aspect of it. The illustrations were also fun and also had hidden details with each page, like the cat reaching for a cello.
5. Give the students the first two lines of the song, "Its raining, its pouring" and have them come up with three lines on their own.
-Give each student two wooden sticks and have them clap the counting part, and also add different number of steps that could be counted..."two, four six, eight"

[Sam]

“It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” by Christine Davenier, published by Image/Peter Yarrow, Copyright 2012
1) Awards this book has received: This book has not received any awards.
2) Appropriate Grade Level(s): This book is appropriate for preschool through second grade.
3) Summary: In this story, it is raining. This does not stop anyone from having a good time. Everyone still finds a way to have fun even in the rain.
Review: I really like the pictures in this book. I think the pictures along with the rhythm of the song help to keep the attention of young children. This is a song that many children will already know and may get excited about.
4) Uses in the classroom:
-Discuss major events that happen in the book.
-Have students, in groups, use the rhythm of this song to create a new song with different words.
-Groups will then teach their songs to the rest of the class.

[Alexis Crespo · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. No awards
2. Appropriate Grade Level(s): Preschool-2nd Grade
3. This is a compilation of songs and rhymes put into one book. The story includes 'It's Raining, It's Pouring,' 'Star Light, Star Bright' and 'Hey Diddle, Diddle.' They are all weaved between pictures that tell the story and then relate back to a verse of one of the songs.
4. This book was put together well and not only is it a collection of songs, it also includes words of a story and vivid illustrations that are sure to capture your attention. The visuals help you create your own story and it will help children to do so as well. The rhymes might be difficult for children to read but with help, they will catch on.
5. -Have children sing along and learn new songs
-Identify major events
-Think/Pair/Share how you spend rainy days

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in Peter Paul and Mary's contributions to children's lit, that includes their version of The Night Before Christmas and Puff, the Magic Dragon. Puybaret is a wonderful illustrator who has done several others. Over the Rainbow and When You Wish Upon a Star, both with Judi Collins.

[Gianna Petrillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Preschool-2nd grade
2. This is a song book that is so large a young child would either have to read it in their lap or on their desk. This book has color illustrations but I'm not sure children would appreciate the style of the artwork. This book also comes with a CD that sings along with it.
3. I like this book because it takes a common sing along song and makes a story out of it. I'm not sure if it always had a story that went along with it, but I liked how there were multiple things going on throughout the book. I think children would really like it as well because it would be a way for them to have fun while reading.
4. This book could be a fun read for the class on a rainy day. We could read this book as a class and then write a story about a rainy day.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring takes you through a story about children playing hide and seek at their grandparents house. It incorporates the song that’s the title of the book, “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” as well as many other well-known tunes. It also comes with a CD that corresponds with the songs of the book, sung by famous trio Peter, Paul and Mary.

Personally, I was confused the first time I heard this book read. The songs are all jumbled together and it can come off a bit messy and unorganized. If I were to incorporate this book into a class of mine, I would have students listen to the audio tape first as I go through the story, and then leave it in the classroom library for them to read on their own.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of nursery rhymes except in this version the nursery rhymes keep getting wet by the repition of the "It's Raining, It's pouring." rhyme. Very cute! It also comes with a CD by Peter Paul and Mary, that I didn't have a chance to listen to but I'm sure it adds to the overall experience of this book.

[Sandi · Rating 1 out of 5]

A disappointment all around. Illustrations weren't age appropriate for the text which seemed to go back and forth between nursery rhymes without any reason or flow. The whole thing just didn't make sense to me...and I love Peter, Paul and Mary, but I'm not sure why this is the book they chose to put their CD in.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than I did, but everything about it just kind of fell flat for me.

The singing was fine, but the "song" was weird. My son loves to sing and he couldn't sing along. The illustrations were in that "messy" style that can be charming, but are just jarring if they lack charm. These were jarring.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the song is (of course) lovely, the book makes little sense to children (at least not my preschool students), fails to hold their attention, and will not be added to my classroom repertoire.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

My two year old loved this one, looking at the pics & discussing them with me or listening to the cd himself & browsing through the book.

[superawesomekt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the original song as it's a childhood favorite, but I don't think it works as a book narrative.

[Shannon Ginley · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” by Christine Davenier; published by Charlesbridge; Massachusetts; copyright 2012
1. Awards this book received: This book has not received any awards.
2. Appropriate grade level(s): This book is appropriate for children in preschool to first grade.
3. Summary: This book is about a group of children playing together outside until rain interrupts them. As a result, they all go inside their grandparent’s house to play hide and seek with each other. Throughout this book, it compiles verses from a couple of well-known children’s songs such as, “It’s Raining”, “Hey Diddle Diddle”, and “Star Light, Star Bright”.
4. Review: I love how this book encompasses not just one children’s song, but a collection of children’s songs throughout the story to engage and excite young children reading this book. The consistent repetition and rhyme within the book is a great way to stimulate active participation among all students. One of my favorite parts about this book is that it comes with a CD that projects the music and songs that correspond to the story.
5. Uses in the classroom:
- This book can help aid struggling readers because they will recognize the familiar song and be able to follow along with the words that correlate in the book.
- Being this book contains many familiar verses from children’s songs, the print in this text can facilitate cite word recognition for students.
- The CD that comes along with the book can be incorporated into the class lesson before or after reading the book in an attempt to get the children engaged and captivated by the musical component presented in the story.

[Mary Lattin]

“It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” illustrated by Christine Davenier, published by Charlesbridge; Watertown, MA; copyright 2012

1.) Awards the book has received: None


2.) Appropriate age level: Preschool- Kindergarten


3.) Summary: This book tells the classic children’s song of “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” mixed in with other classic nursery rhymes. It begins with the familiar tune about an old man who bumps his head, and then features another rhyme going along with the rain theme, such as “Rain Rain Go Away”. The book repeats the “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” chorus about three times of not more throughout its entirety.


4.) Review: In my opinion, this book had too much going on. I don’t think so many nursery rhymes should have been smushed together in one book if the title of the book clearly expects the reader to hear just one. I believe this book tried to be a version of Mother Goose about rain, but would have been better off just focusing on the one song that it’s titled.


5.) Uses in the classroom:

• Have students listen to CD accompanying book before reading book out loud to familiarize them with song

• Share what they like to do on a rainy day

• Share their favorite nursery rhyme/ verse of the song

[Brooke Schrader]

"It's Raining, It's Pouring," illustrated by Christine Davenier; published by Imagine Pub.; copyright 2012
1. Awards this book has recieved: This book has not recieved any awards.
2. Appropriate grade level(s): Pre-k through first grade.
3. Summary: This book is about it raining, and rhyming along. Davenier throws a twist in the book by adding children and grandparents to the traditional version.
Review: I thought this was a good poem book for children because it's a classic that most children have probably sung to already, or at least know the words to. It is a good way to introduce words to print, and allow students to follow along as a class or in small group activities.
4. Uses in the classroom:
-Allow children to hum or sing the book first (if it comes with a cd, put that on first)
-Use a big book for a whole class or do small group activities to have children follow along with the words since they likely already know how it goes
-Ask children what they do on rainy days
-Allow them to draw a picture of what they do on rainy days, creating their own poem book

[Kim Pietrobono · Rating 2 out of 5]

Award(s): N/A

Grade: Birth-Kindergarten

Summary: This book coincides the timeless children’s song “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” with a charming tale of children’s playtime getting disturbed by the rain. The chorus of “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” appears on every other page switching from the story to the chorus allowing children to sing along with the familiar tune. The book also comes with a CD with Peter, Paul, and Mary’s version of the song.

Review: I would say the age range for this book is for very young children aged birth through kindergarten—that being said, the book overall is confusing and doesn’t appear to be age appropriate as it jumps around and does not flow very nicely. The illustrations are also perhaps too messy and busy for children of this age to appreciate and enjoy.

In Class Use: The book/CD can be used as a prize they are working towards. Alternatively, it can be used as a fun way to get the kids moving in the morning before the day starts, or during a break when they need to get some energy out.