Home and Dry

K-Gr 3—The Paddlings are an unusual and whimsical family who choose to live on an island underneath a "big, black rain cloud." The rain pours, the wind howls, the roof leaks, and the house creaks, but the Paddlings are content in their routine. Gender roles are reversed as Mrs. Sally Paddling gets up at dawn to catch fish and Mr. Albert Paddling rows upstream with their son to teach swimming. In the afternoon, a ferry boat brings mail and groceries, and life goes on until summer comes. A new baby arrives, but the water dries up, leaving the Paddlings adrift from the outside world. Into this void steps Albert's uncle Bastian, whose unexpected visit to the island at the height of a deluge leads to a daring rescue and happy reunion. Smith's illustrations are exquisite, brilliantly vivid in color and detail. In the opening spread, autumn is clearly the reigning season as the Paddlings enter their home. Leaves blow in the doorway as the son struggles to hold back the family dog, who twists and shakes at the end of his tether. Movement is implied through small dashes around the canine's quivering body. Even before the Paddlings' roles are introduced, Sally is carrying fishing supplies and Albert is adjusting swimming goggles atop his head. Such careful details provide wonderful visual clues for independent readers.