It's Raining!

PreS-Gr 1—Gibbons's books consistently pose a challenge for narrators (and independent readers) because the text is scattered across the page and doesn't merely flow from right to left. However, seasoned voice talent Suzanne Toren deftly handles the difficulty. For example, rather than try to read the world map of annual rainfall, Toren describes it. "Let's stop reading and take a look at the maps on these two pages," she says before laying out the differences among the colors on the map as indicated in the key. She then reads aloud the text on the maps. It helps to have a skilled reader listen along with a nonreader to point out labels read by the narrator, which can be confusing when taken out of context. Sound effects such as quacking ducks, falling rain, and boots splashing in puddles add character and interest to the recording. This introduction to rain is filled with weather vocabulary, explained simply enough for young listeners to grasp.