Rainbabies for a childless couple (Mother's Day W/O)
Written: May 09 '04
Product Rating:
Pros: Beautiful illustrations, great story about a parent's love
Cons: none
The Bottom Line: This is a wonderful book about a couple's love for children and the reward they receive for their efforts. The illustrations add a lot to this already great story.
artemis8's Full Review: Laura Kraus Melmed - Rainbabies
I picked up this book several weeks ago from the library and when I was able to read it a couple days ago I thought about how appropriate it was for Mother's day.
The Rainbabies is by Laura Krauss Melmed, who also authored Little Oh and I Love You As Much, and illustrated by Jim LaMarche, who also illustrated The Raft. The copy I got is a rather large sized hardcover book 9 x 11 inches and has a very heartwarming story and beautiful illustrations.
I am now going to reveal the entire plot. The story begins with an older couple who've got a nice home and no financial problems, but with a much greater lack: a lack of children. The wife wishes babies would come in the wind or grow in flower pots. One night there is a moon shower and the two go outside to bask in the drizzle and hopefully gain some of its good luck. Much to their amazement they discover 12 rainbabies the size of big toes in the grass. They brought the babies inside and began caring for them. The babies were made clothes, they were sung to, and kept warm at night. And the couple never left them alone in the house. But a few catastrophes seem to befall the new family. On a fishing trip there is a big wave that knocks the boat and the babies, in a basket, overboard, but the couple rescues them. Another time while the couple is picking peaches, a flash of lightning starts a fire in the grass around the babies, but the old man saves the babies. A final incident involves a weasel spying the babies and carrying one off. But the wife is able to scare the weasel to drop the baby and the 12 are safe and together again.
One evening a cloaked figure comes to the couple's door. A handsome man has come offering a moonstone that he says is worth much gold, as an exchange from his Lady for the 12 babies, but the old woman refuses the offer. And with that the man transforms into Mother Moonshower. She says she is so grateful for the care the two have taken of her children and all the trials they have not failed, but she does need her babies back. The old woman gets quite upset but Moonshower explains that they can not prosper without her. And Mother Moonshower mentions that she has brought something for them: a real baby girl. The couple concede and they raise the girl, who they name Rayna, and are now truly happy.
I love the story. It is about what great parents will do for their children. The feats they go through might be something, while reading this with a child, that would trigger your discussing some of the things you've done for your child. The devotion this mother and father have is easily evident in the text.
Speaking of the text. There is anywhere from one to five paragraphs on each page. I'd say the reading level is ages 6-9. But a younger child of 4 or 5 years would enjoy having this read to them. There are a few larger words, like "suspended" and "precious" that younger children might need help with. There is definitely enough text though to thicken the plot and better describe what is going on.
However the text isn't the only technique used to tell this story. The illustrations are wonderful. On the first page the look of sadness on the childless woman's face is so apparently. I really felt sad for her. On another page the expression on the man's face as he oohs and ahhs over the rainbabies is just classic. The facial expressions throughout this book are wonderful. The illustrations match the text extremely well. As the couple grapple to get their babies back after the wave knocks them overboard you can see the action in the illustration. There is splashing and reaching, it is a great snapshot.
The illustrations are done in what looks like charcoal and pastels. There is a lot of use of bright colors and a lot of realism. The older couple definitely looks older. She is starting to get white hairs and the husband is getting rather bald. The flames and the smoke rising from them, from the lightning, was one of the most realistic illustrations in the book. And Mother Moonshower is a beautiful woman that probably young girls will enjoy more than young boys, but she is gorgeous in all white.
All around this is a happy book. There are a few trials that might be scary to younger children, but the couple always prevails. And it just makes you feel good inside as the couple gets rewarded for the love and care they've shown these rainbabies. Overall I would highly recommend this book to children 4-9. Girls will probably enjoy this more, I don't think boys would really dislike it, especially if they have a baby sibling they can relate the story with a little bit. The illustrations are wonderful and the story itself will make you feel good inside.
This has been part of Dionne25's Mother's Day W/O. All entries are due today so get your reviews in!
In the magic of a moonshower, a childless couple is given 12 times their heart s desire: a dozen tiny babies, small enough to rock to sleep in a pair ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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