Product Description

A very young boy in a yellow slicker enjoys playing in the rain. "More evocative in [its] use of language than many other board books....Mitchell’s softly rendered watercolors...bring a loving family into clear focus." - Publishers Weekly

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #366028 in Books
• Published on: 1994-09-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Board book
• 12 pages

From Publishers Weekly
More evocative in their use of language than many other board books, this quartet traces small moments in the life of Joshua, an African American boy. He dons slicker and galoshes in the first book to parade joyfully "jumping, hopping,/ all in yellow/ through puddles with rain feet." Even here-the first book is the simplest of the four-Johnson's imagery stands out, as the raindrops "Plop! On the steps" and "Splash! On the street." In subsequent titles, Joshua and his sister observe nesting birds; a familial seaside idyll finds the lad "running free"; and nocturnal sounds trouble his sleep, but all becomes right once "Daddy's holding me warm and safe." Mitchell's softly rendered watercolors, too, often transcend the genre's typically straightforward illustrative style. Her occasional close-ups of faces bring a loving family into clear focus (Joshua's smiling, upturned countenance in Rain is especially endearing), while portrayals of rain-slicked streets, expansive beaches and a trio of hungry birds subtly impart an appreciation of nature. Ages 1-3.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreS?These titles are characteristic of Johnson's earlier books in their emphasis on warm, loving relationships in an African American family. In Joshua by the Sea, a young boy enjoys a day at the beach with his family; in Joshua's Night Whispers, he seeks comfort from his father when he wakes up in the middle of the night; in Mama Bird, the child discovers a nest of baby birds with his sister; and in Rain Feet he splashes through puddles in a yellow slicker and boots. The pastel watercolor illustrations that fill each double-page spread are cozy and soothing, and the language is rhythmic and quietly reassuring. Solid choices to enhance any board-book collection.?Emily Kutler, Summit Free Public Library, NJ
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Puddle fun
A young African American boy puts on his yellow rain slicker and boots and grabs his yellow umbrella to enjoy a spring rain. The simple text expresses the noises of a rainy day and the fun of jumping through puddles. The last page shows the boy standing barefoot in a puddle, arms spread wide, his beautiful eyes full of the joy and wonderment of a young child. The watercolor illustrations capture the essence of a wet day, from the rain pouring out of a downspout to the spray behind a car's tires on a wet street. Watery green and gray are predominant, with splashes of red and pink. The yellow of the boy's rain gear, a fire hydrant, a car, a house, and some dandelions provides a warm contrast, standing out just the way that bright colors do on a rainy day. This book is suitable for babies, who will like the contrasting colors, and for toddlers, who just may be reaching for their boots, hoping for rain.