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The Rain Stomper
Today is the day of the big neighborhood parade. Baton twirler Jazmin is ready to lead the way for the dogs and kids, music and fun. But then the clouds crowd in. The sky darkens. Thunder roars. And the rain begins. SLAP clatter clatter SLAP SLAP! Is Jazmin’s parade ruined? Or can she use her spirit, her fearless energy, and her mighty baton to save the day? Award-winning illustrator Eric Velasquez’s artwork in oil paint on watercolor paper is a perfect complement to debut author Addie Boswell’s lyrical, rhythmic words.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
November 15, 2019
The Rain Stomper starts with a decent premise, but eventually veers off into a picture book that teaches children how to make themselves a candidate for a Darwin Award.
Jazmin wakes up, excited for the neighbourhood parade. But then it starts to rain. She watches for a while, then goes out with her baton and plays--stomping, splashing, and shouting--until the sun comes out.
The problem I have with this is that it's clearly stated that there is thunder. Where there is thunder, there's lightning. And yet, Jazmin is shown going outside with her metal baton and actually pointing it at the sky. This book should've been called How to Be a Lightning Rod.
Some of the illustrations are nice, but others look weirdly stretched. There's also a strange mismatch between the words and the pictures near the beginning, when the book states, "Wind whistled through her hair." Jazmin has her hair wound into two tight braids throughout the book, so this doesn't make a lot of sense. (I suspect that perhaps Jazmin wasn't originally intended to be black. In any case, there was obviously a breakdown in communication between the author and illustrator here.)
I expected more from this. Maybe if the pictures hadn't been distorted, I would've liked it a little better. Then again, I can't recommend a book that shows children it's okay to go out into thunderstorms holding metal sticks in the air. That's just wrong.
Jazmin wakes up, excited for the neighbourhood parade. But then it starts to rain. She watches for a while, then goes out with her baton and plays--stomping, splashing, and shouting--until the sun comes out.
The problem I have with this is that it's clearly stated that there is thunder. Where there is thunder, there's lightning. And yet, Jazmin is shown going outside with her metal baton and actually pointing it at the sky. This book should've been called How to Be a Lightning Rod.
Some of the illustrations are nice, but others look weirdly stretched. There's also a strange mismatch between the words and the pictures near the beginning, when the book states, "Wind whistled through her hair." Jazmin has her hair wound into two tight braids throughout the book, so this doesn't make a lot of sense. (I suspect that perhaps Jazmin wasn't originally intended to be black. In any case, there was obviously a breakdown in communication between the author and illustrator here.)
I expected more from this. Maybe if the pictures hadn't been distorted, I would've liked it a little better. Then again, I can't recommend a book that shows children it's okay to go out into thunderstorms holding metal sticks in the air. That's just wrong.
October 14, 2022
First of all this story tells children it's great fun to stomp in puddles during a thunderstorm. Not a very safe activity. Secondly, this author is White. There are plenty of Black children's authors out there to write books about Black main characters. Let them profit from writing diverse books with Black MCs. The illustrator is Latinx, but still... he should support Black writers in not illustrating Black main characters for White writers.
As with the other book I read by this author, the story is a bit too long for the lapsit age group it's geared toward... and the text is very small, so not good for beginner readers either. Readers complained on Amazon that the ebook text was too small to read on their phones. Because it is a picture book the font size cannot be changed.
However, the illustrations are wonderful. I did see that this artist has illustrated Black main characters for quite a few White writers. Sorry, but this bothers me. He shoukd be supporting Black authors.
As with the other book I read by this author, the story is a bit too long for the lapsit age group it's geared toward... and the text is very small, so not good for beginner readers either. Readers complained on Amazon that the ebook text was too small to read on their phones. Because it is a picture book the font size cannot be changed.
However, the illustrations are wonderful. I did see that this artist has illustrated Black main characters for quite a few White writers. Sorry, but this bothers me. He shoukd be supporting Black authors.
January 4, 2021
Jazmin was meant for twirling, swirling, and stomping in a glorious parade! When the rain threatens to change her plans, Jazmin is not to be stopped! The Rain Stomper shall have a parade filled with rhythm!
December 5, 2008
See that cover image, it beautifully captures the spirit and energy of this book. Jazmin wakes up on the first day of spring and prepares to be in the parade. She puts on her red suit, picks up her baton and dreams of the cheering crowds. But then she hears thunder and rain begins to pour down. Jazmin is stunned. Rain ruins parades. But then she gets angry and takes action: she heads into the rain, stomping, pounding, kicking and racing. A crowd begins to gather around Jazmin as she splashes, spins and jumps. Jazmin has her parade after all, just a different one than she planned.
There are several things that make this book work so very well. First is the writing that is energized with verbs that move and beat and swirl. One can't read the text without rhythm and movement. Second are the vivid and motion-filled illustrations that also inspire movement. And the final important component is frustration being turned into action, demonstrating a healthy way to release emotions, until by the end the emotion has changed into triumph. All of this accomplished with no lecturing or finger pointing, just great book creation.
This will work well as a read aloud for preschoolers who are itching to move. I'd get them wiggling along with Jazmin and be prepared for an impromptu parade forming. Appropriate for ages 3-6.
There are several things that make this book work so very well. First is the writing that is energized with verbs that move and beat and swirl. One can't read the text without rhythm and movement. Second are the vivid and motion-filled illustrations that also inspire movement. And the final important component is frustration being turned into action, demonstrating a healthy way to release emotions, until by the end the emotion has changed into triumph. All of this accomplished with no lecturing or finger pointing, just great book creation.
This will work well as a read aloud for preschoolers who are itching to move. I'd get them wiggling along with Jazmin and be prepared for an impromptu parade forming. Appropriate for ages 3-6.
March 5, 2016
A little girl named Jazmin is excited to go out and perform in a parade, but a massive storm comes and ruins the parade. So, Jazmin goes outside, twirls her baton, stomps in the rain, and shouts out to the storm, showing it who's boss. Neighbors come outside and cheer her on. She becomes a one girl parade complete with spectators.
Illustrations are GREAT, as is the use of different page layouts. This book is full of onomatopoeia (it's more of that than anything else) and would be a great teaching tool for that lesson in figurative language.
Illustrations are GREAT, as is the use of different page layouts. This book is full of onomatopoeia (it's more of that than anything else) and would be a great teaching tool for that lesson in figurative language.
August 15, 2022
I liked this, but question the safety of baton twirling in the rain.
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August 22, 2022Read as part of my new "Settle back Sunday" initiative where I take advantage of access to children's books I can borrow and give back. When I was a kid, the weekly trips to our town library were some of the few things I loved about my childhood. And the pile of books mom would bring home, from picture books to chapter books, were the things that got me through many a terrible time.
April 30, 2025
Jazmin was a cheerleader and she eagerly waited for a big parade that she was getting ready to perform in. Just before she left for the parade, it started to rain heavily. At first, she was very sad and disappointed because rain storms ruined parades. She began to stomp her feet inside her house and practice her routine, angry at the rain. But the more she rehearsed, the more excited she became. She was filled with excitement that it caused her to discount the rain and head outside. She stomped her feet in the rain and twirled her baton as the thunder roared. Children saw her from their windows and they began to come outside to join her. Shortly after, the rain cleared and the sun came out. The street filled with children as they cheered for Jazmin. I enjoyed how Jazmin did not let a rain storm ruin her day. She loved cheer leading so much that even when it was raining outside, it did not hold her back. Her passion and excitement made her brave enough to cheer in the rain and the inspired other children to join her. This story helps children change their perspective on rainy days and how your attitude can influence your outcome. Instead of having a bad attitude because of the weather raining down on her parade, she continued on practicing what she loved and created her own parade in the street.
June 16, 2022
The illustrations alone make this one of my favourite books about rain for kids! Me and my students loved the storyline, it follow a girl who twirls her batton in a marching band but then the rain comes and she feels disappointed. Then she has a new outlook and decides to do her best despite the weather. It taught my students not to give in when faced with adversity. I personally love it.
September 12, 2017
Boom! Boom! Walla crash
I loved the illustrations in this book and the way the words flowed through the author.
I would recommend this book for ages 4-2nd grade.
This would be a good book to read for a group time setting. Even in a music class with each child having an instrument to sound like the sounds in the book.
I loved the illustrations in this book and the way the words flowed through the author.
I would recommend this book for ages 4-2nd grade.
This would be a good book to read for a group time setting. Even in a music class with each child having an instrument to sound like the sounds in the book.
April 5, 2019
This book was so fun for Storytime because it has a lot of sound effects; if you're willing to commit to roaring things like "BOOM WALLA BOOM!," that is. I read this for a "rain" theme, but it would also be great for social-emotioanl themes as the narrative is of a girl who turns a storm into her own parade!
March 18, 2024
A beloved read-aloud for pre-K/K groups that I've never reviewed for some reason! I love the energy of both the art and the text, and I'm always on the lookout for fun books about the everyday lives of city kids.
This _can_ work with a younger group because of the sounds and refrain, but older preschoolers and primary school kids tend to find it more relatable.
This _can_ work with a younger group because of the sounds and refrain, but older preschoolers and primary school kids tend to find it more relatable.
June 27, 2017
Jasmin has other plans the day it rains. And for someone who hates it, she ends up embracing it and leaving the neighborhood to enjoy. Great story to share when noticing why and how an author crafts.
December 18, 2017
The art was good, the story ideas was great. I just didn't care for the way it was written (the pattern of the words, and the way it sounded in my head). The louder words would probably be fun to shout with a child though.
March 11, 2018
This story didn't have much to it, just a girl who is upset that a parade in canceled due to rain. She goes outside and "stomps" away the rain. Not a very engaging story overall, but very beautiful illustrations.
April 27, 2019
The beat of the parade comes to life in the word syncopation and font size and placement. The illustrations are great. Like a movie, the rain drops are not too visible but it’s clear there are sheets of rain.
February 18, 2021
What a celebration!
Little ones will love the read-aloud sound effects, and the illustrations are nothing short of dazzling! I think this is destined to become a favorite, although probably not a choice for bedtime. LOL
Little ones will love the read-aloud sound effects, and the illustrations are nothing short of dazzling! I think this is destined to become a favorite, although probably not a choice for bedtime. LOL
May 10, 2022
Brilliant!
A beautifully illustrated book full of sounds, I could hear Jazmin as she roared with the thunder and stomped with the rain. My kiddo is no stranger to doing a little puddle jumping himself, this was the perfect book to read on a rainy night.
A beautifully illustrated book full of sounds, I could hear Jazmin as she roared with the thunder and stomped with the rain. My kiddo is no stranger to doing a little puddle jumping himself, this was the perfect book to read on a rainy night.
January 3, 2017
Jazmin puts on her red costume, grabs her baton, and is ready to march in the rain. But it's raining, really hard.
September 23, 2017
A young girl, upset that the parade has been spoiled by pouring rain, decides to march to the beat of the thunder and create her own parade.
March 11, 2018
Beautiful understated story about a girl frustrated by a rainstorm in the city. Illustrations and use of onomatopoeia bring drama and conflict to the character's arc.
March 14, 2018
Jazmin planned to lead a parade with the neighborhood children, but a thunderstorm tried to ruin her plans. She decided to stomp on the rain, and ends up chasing it away.
November 29, 2020
Dealing with all the emotions after the parade is cancelled due to rain....
She goes outside and stomps and splashes and eventually others join in and turn the day's emotions around.
She goes outside and stomps and splashes and eventually others join in and turn the day's emotions around.
February 26, 2021
Great sensory book. Could do many lessons around this books with grades K-5.
May 21, 2021
K-1 good range. Fun, good onomatopoeia
November 6, 2021
The rain doesn't get her down!
November 13, 2022
Beautiful
What impressive illustrations and I love that the main character was black but there was also lots of diversity as well.
What impressive illustrations and I love that the main character was black but there was also lots of diversity as well.
January 28, 2023
The Rain Stomper by Addie Boswell – This is on kindle unlimited. A bold reminder that unexpected challenges are a chance for new adventures! Happy Reading!
March 30, 2023
A girl waiting to be in the parade stomps in the rain that interrupts her plans. 4-8yo.
October 14, 2023
This is a good book for teaching onamatopoeia.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews