One Rainy Day Book

There might be more noticeable peace dividends from the close of the cold war, but surely none cuter. The whole world can count itself lucky to have Valeri Gorbachev, veteran Soviet illustrator, who here brings back the cast of Where Is the Apple Pie? for a smart, playful, and memorable numbers book. "What happened to you, friend Pig?" asks friend Goat as the bedraggled porker shows up soaked one afternoon on Goat's front porch. This sets off Pig's wild tale, as he explains how he tried to dodge a rainstorm under a tree, only to find himself beset by other animals hoping to keep dry, too: a mouse, then two porcupines, then three buffaloes, four leopards, five lions, etc., all the way up to 10, in a glorious fold-out in the middle. Gorbachev's silly spreads in pen and ink and watercolor would be ample entertainment for any counting book, but his gift for tall-tale cadence makes One Rainy Day that much more remarkable. "Because, to escape the rain, a small--very fast--mouse ran right under the tree, too." "Surely there was enough room for you and the small--very fast--mouse." "Yes, but then two porcupines joined us." All that, and it's fun to read with a Russian accent. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul HughesRead More