by Karen Hesse (1999)
Hesse's word choice in this lyrical book filled with anticipation is incredible. In the heat of summer with rain a distant memory, Tess pleads to the sky to bring rain. Her mamma is "sagging over her parched plants" and the "smell of hot tar and garbage bullies the air" -- but Tess's dream seems to be coming true as clouds roll over the horizon. And as the rain falls it "freckles" her and her friends' feet and "glazes" their toes, and tempts their mothers into the streets as well. Jon Muth's watercolors begin with hot colors, and the stillness in them seems to represent the stagnant heat. But as the clouds appear the paintings take on cooler and cooler hues, portraying movement and excitement. The final illustration with the mother and daughter reflected in a puddle and nice blue houses stretching to the distance make you feel renewed along with the characters. "Everywhere, everyone, everything is misty limbs, springing back to life."
I've clearly been raving about the word choice in this book, and that would definitely be my focus if I were to use this text in a classroom. But because of the lyrical nature, the poetry-style composition, and the rhythm of the book I feel it is also perfect for reading aloud. What a great book to pull out in a dry spell, or in a rainstorm, for that matter, and share the joy of basking in rain or sunlight whatever the weather.
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