This picture book is perfect for the science classroom setting because it is a perfect book to explain not only how all water is connected somehow, but how what we throw in the water can end up on the opposite ends of the Earth, and to be mindful of the environment. The illustrations are filled with color and movement, and make readers feel as though they are at one with the water as it travels from a little boy's jar to the ocean and back again. Even though this book primarily explores the water cycle, it is possible that there are other messages to be unpicked from this story. Baker-Smith’s prose does not pretend to be poetry, but takes on some of the flowing rhythms of the water. Yet, because the rest of the book is absolutely enchanting and educational, it would not stop me from loving this story.

The Rhythm of the Rain by Grahame Baker-Smith The Rhythm of the Rain by Grahame Baker-Smith

The story shows how we are all linked by water and provides a more emotional and real approach to the water cycle. The reader follows the river that flows past Issac’s home as it winds through the countryside and the city to the sea. It teaches about the rhythms of live and the water cycle in a powerfully evocative and meaningful way. Daar waar de stroom verandert in een waterval en als rivier verder stroomt naar beneden, door het landschap. This is an incredibly beautiful depiction of the water cycle and its importance to life on this planet.He throws water from a jam jar into the stream and thus we’re taken on the truyly epic journey of water.

Rhythm of the Rain | Centre for Literacy in Primary Education The Rhythm of the Rain | Centre for Literacy in Primary Education

Upon emptying his little jar of water into the pool, he follows the journey of the water through streams, over waterfalls, along rivers and out into the vast open sea. This book could be used at the beginning of an infant science topic about the water cycle, where children could be encouraged to produce a story map of the water’s journey through the book. Isaac follows the flow of the water down a waterfall, into a river that flows across the country, through the city, into the ocean, across the world, into mist, forming as clouds and comind down as rain again.Your class will add int he words to complete the sentences and look for simpler synonyms for the vocabulary chosen for this KS1 activity. During my stint as a teacher, I would have loved to have something like this to support my teaching. The subtle personification of nature that is woven throughout the text really complements the illustrations, it brings nature to life. There is also the opportunity to link The Rhythm of the Rain to an environmental topic, where children are learning about the impact of global warming on the oceans, and the sea creatures which might be affected by this.