Let’s Go Puddling! by Emma Perry – Perfect Picture Book Friday

Let’s Go Puddling!

Emma Perry, Author

Claire Alexander, Illustrator

Candlewick Press, Fictions, Apr. 25, 2023

Suitable for ages: 2 – 5

Themes: Rain, Puddles, Play, Nature

Opening: “Clouds gather, / skies darken, / rain falls, / puddles appear. / ” Let’s go!”

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Yippee! Here comes the rain! Three families meet up in front of their high-rise apartment building, all with the same idea. The children can’t wait to stimp-stamp-stomp through the muddy puddles until their boots overflow—then snuggle with the grown-ups on the couch as their soggy socks dry. Emma Perry’s buoyant text summons the thrill of being outdoors regardless of the weather, while Claire Alexander’s lively watercolors capture the children’s exuberant play amid the splashing drops.

Why I like this book:

Emma Perry’s joyful book about stomping around in the puddles on a rainy day will appeal to young readers. Just look at the delightful cover that will quickly grab their attention. 

It will stir up memories for parents of puddling in the spring and summer. I loved the smell of the fresh summer rain on the pavement and doning a bathing suit to stomp around in the rain puddles and make mud pies. 

Rhymic text reminds readers of the patter of raindrops  and the use oonomatopoeic words will have children shouting them — Stimp, stamp, stomp,  and splish, splash, splosh! Perfect book for children learning to recognize and read words.

The Claire Alexander’s pastel watercolors are lively and compliment the story. Very entertaining read. Kids will want to play and stomp around in the next rain day. 

Resources: Depending upon the temperature, doan your rain coat and wellies or put on your bathing suit and splash in the puddles outside.

Emma Perry is the author of I Don’t Like Books, Never, Ever. The End, illsutrated by Sharion Davey, and This Book Has Alpacas and Bears, illustrated by Rikin Parekh. She works as a primary school teacher, is the founder of the children’s book review site My Book Corner, and runs International Book Giving Day. Emma Perry lives in Bath, England, with her husband, two children, and two cats.

Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.

*Review copy provided by Candlewick in exchange for a review.