by Emma Perry
illustrated by Claire Alexander
 
Outside a tower block, the clouds gather and the skies darken, bringing  heavy rain drops and…puddles! Three very excited toddlers (all with different skin tones) are quickly helped in to waterproofs and wellies by their parents and come out of their respective flats into the communal concrete space outdoors. Here, there are a couple of swings and a little roundabout but the toddlers swerve all these in favour of PUDDLING! – stomping, stimping and stamping. Having kicked up and jumped in to every conceivable shape and size of puddle, the toddlers suddenly decide they’re wet and cold. We see all three families return to one flat where they all snuggle up on a sofa, dry and warm again. 
 
An exuberant story full of strongly rhythmic, pulsing onomatopoeic text and illustrations which play wonderfully with water, with drops travelling and sweeping across the pages and gathering in to reflecting pools. (The bike speeding through a puddle while the toddlers laugh with joy is an absolute delight!) Watch out for the rainbow at the end. 
 
‘Love it! The illustrations are just joyous. The words and pictures match beautifully’ (Eileen, Former Primary Teacher, Letterbox Library reviewer). ‘Lovely evocative illustrations. Friends (adults and children) meeting up and enjoying time together having fun in the rain. Great descriptive vocabulary’ (Rosalind, Nursery Operations Manager, Letterbox Library Reviewer). [Text shows a mum, a dad and another mum who could be single parents or primary carers]. Age 3-6, Paperback 24pp