Rain Before Rainbows

by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, David Litchfield (Illustrator)

Overview

For anyone going through a difficult passage, this uplifting, beautifully illustrated picture book is about finding optimism in the darkest of places.

Rain before rainbows, clouds before sun,
night before daybreak—a new day’s begun.

In this heartfelt story about courage, change, and moving on, a girl and her companion fox travel together away from a sorrowful past, through challenging and stormy times, toward color and light and life. Along the way they find friends to guide and support them, and when the new day dawns, it is full of promise. With gorgeous, richly realized illustrations and immense hope at its heart, Rain Before Rainbows holds out a ray of sunshine for anyone looking for light.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536212839
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	10/06/2020
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	150,501
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Smriti Prasadam-Halls is an award-winning, internationally best-selling children’s author whose books include Welcome to Your World, illustrated by Jaime Kim, and the Publishers Weekly #1 bestseller I Love You Night and Day, illustrated by Alison Brown. Her books have been published in more than thirty languages around the world. Previously, Smriti Prasadam-Halls worked at the BBC and in children’s publishing and television as a writer and editor. She lives in London with her three sons.

David Litchfield started to draw when he was very young, creating comics for his older brother and sister. He is the illustrator of numerous picture books, including When Paul Met Artie: The Story of Simon & Garfunkel by G. Neri and War Is Over by David Almond. He lives with his family in Bedford, England.

Editorial Reviews

Inspired by Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning,” this British import offers hope and purpose, reminding readers that waiting brings reward and sowing comes before the crop and the flower stem before blossom. . .The poetry of the text builds on the sentiment of the scripture and although it complements the illustrations, it is compelling enough to be read independently. . . An uplifting book with a timeless message—that tomorrow will be better.
—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

01/01/2021

Toddler-PreS—Inspired by Psalm 30:5, "Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning," this British import offers hope and purpose, reminding readers that waiting brings reward and sowing comes before the crop and the flower stem before blossom. The words spill across pages that with every turn brighten like dawn. These are gorgeous, luminous works, showing a young girl with light brown skin overcoming obstacles and embarking on her journey, no matter how dark and scary the path, and in spite of storms. The poetry of the text builds on the sentiment of the scripture and although it complements the illustrations, it is compelling enough to be read independently. This has an obvious religious sensibility, but this will appeal to a secular audience as well. VERDICT An uplifting book with a timeless message—that tomorrow will be better.—Jennifer Knight, North Olympic Lib. Syst., Port Angeles, WA

School Library Journal

2020-10-27
After a fire damages their castle home, a child and their fox companion venture into the unknown.

As the pair treks over mountains and battles misty dragons in dark woods, Prasadam-Halls reassures readers via singsong rhymes that tough or scary situations won’t last forever. “Thunder will rumble. Lightning will flash. / The wind will start blowing, and tall waves will crash,” she acknowledges as the child rows against a double-page spread of waves teeming with sharp-eyed creatures. But, she promises, as a troupe of woodland critters welcomes them to a sun-gilded shore, “There are friends who will help us, courageous and kind.” After planting seeds, child and fox snuggle in a stick shelter. Waking to a “day full of promise, a day full of light,” they dance beneath a double-page rainbow and full-grown apple tree (that seems to have grown overnight). Litchfield’s luminous illustrations carry the story, vividly balancing light and dark hues. Even eerie nights still sparkle with stars, matching the text’s hopeful tone. Illustrations don’t always mirror the text concretely, however; for instance, an elk appears above the line “There’s a map that will guide us when troubles arise,” and there is no map to be seen. Some readers seeking solace amid similar hardships may find the fairy tale–esque framing frustratingly simplistic; others will be comforted by the rhythmic rhymes and dreamlike illustrations. The child has light-brown skin and straight, black hair. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11.3-by-20.2-inch double-page spreads viewed at 54.4% of actual size.)

An eye-catching lullaby for tough times. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews