Book Overview: "The Rain Came Down" by David Shannon

Plot Summary

"The Rain Came Down" by David Shannon is a picture book that tells the story of a chaotic day in a small town due to a brief but intense rain shower. The story begins with the rain coming down, causing various animals to react: chickens squawk, a cat yowls, and a dog barks at the cat. This initial commotion escalates as a man yells at the dog, waking the baby, and a series of misunderstandings and mishaps ensues. The chain reaction includes a policeman stopping traffic, a woman in a taxi yelling, and multiple honking horns from trucks and taxis. The chaos reaches its peak until the rain suddenly stops, and the sun comes out, revealing a rainbow. The townspeople, realizing their petty squabbles, make amends and find ways to mend fences. The story concludes with the family having a picnic together while the animals sleep in the warm sun.

Key Themes

1. Cause and Effect: The book illustrates how a single event (the rain) can trigger a series of reactions and interactions among the townspeople and animals.
2. Conflict Resolution: Despite the initial chaos, the story promotes conflict resolution by showing how the townspeople come together and make amends once the rain stops.
3. Community: The narrative highlights the interconnectedness of the community and how small incidents can affect many people.
4. Humor and Absurdity: The book uses humor and absurdity to engage young readers, making it entertaining and relatable.

Critical Reception

• Kirkus Reviews: Describes the book as a "picture-book mini-drama" that turns squabbles into smiles under the rainbow. It praises the wild and detailed street scenes filled with richly drawn characters and shifting perspectives, showing the absurdity and humor in each incident.
• School Library Journal: Notes that the text is simple and straightforward while creating a feeling of noise, chaos, and grumpiness. The illustrations are highlighted as capturing the students' attention and making the story engaging.
• Children's Library Lady: Recommends the book for ages 4+ and emphasizes its promotion of cause and effect, self-management, and conflict resolution. The video summary and worksheet resources are also mentioned as useful tools for early storytelling.

Author Information

David Shannon is a renowned author and illustrator of children's books. Born in Washington, D.C., he grew up in Spokane, Washington, and graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. His editorial illustrations have appeared in The New York Times, Time, and Rolling Stone. Shannon is known for his work in children's literature and is a passionate baseball fan and softball player. He currently lives in Los Angeles.