Review: The Little Girl And The Rain


The need to connect and share, align and alight with others is a human condition hard to ignore. Occasionally, we find ourselves on our own. Not necessarily lonely but in situations where the need to diminish that situation of solitude becomes singular. The Little Girl and the Rain by Milena Lukešová and Jan Kudláček is a picture book that highlights this circumstance of want, need and outcome that ultimately arrives at friendship.

One day a little girl with no one to play with goes for a walk. It begins to rain. Rather than hurry back to her indoor isolation, she welcomes the plic plic plic drops. The rain whether in over exuberance or naivete increases, forcing the little girl to run for home. The rain persists and follows her but is kept outside by steadfast doors and closed windows. 

The rain prevails increasing in need and desperation to continue the play began with the little girl's encounter. But this pursuit, from one umbrella to another only causes discomfort and annoyance. Animals flee for shelter. People admonish the bothersome downfall. Until, a new sound is heard above the rain's fall. The sound of boots in a puddle. It's the little girl again, dressed up for the rain!

Together the little girl and the rain frolic and enjoy the fine wet weather. By and by, others who relish the puddles and pools emerge until, inevitably, the sun reappears, rainbows glisten and prisms of delight flood the little girl's world. The rain, content to find acceptance and such beautiful appreciation, continues gently, merrily. Happily. 

The Little Girl and The Rain extends the joy and exuberance felt by the very young (and occasionally the very old) when splashing through puddles in a way more nuanced than found in normal wet weather stories. The creators, both Czechoslovakian, draw on the marvellous way children can interpret what we adults would otherwise find disruptive. Rather than shun the onset of heavy showers, the little girl embraces the rain's arrival, thrills in its presence and in doing so, finds the sacred friendships among the small things it encourages that she was looking for all along. 

This is an ode to nature. To observing more intently. To finding solace in one's own company and presence. To love. Which really is all around us, rendering us never truly alone. 

This gentle rendition of acceptance is elevated by soft pastel illustrative overtones, from the sparkling foil accentuated cover to the richly textural endpapers. The rain assumes a rainbow of different hues, each droplet shimmering in graduated shades that reflect the emotion spilling from the rain itself; sometimes joyful, sometimes sombre and bereft. The rain is personified with wide expressive eyes and raindrop-shaped nose. By doing so, children are better able to develop a deep empathy for the rain, a weather occurence so often frowned upon for 'ruining' plans and play. Here, we discover the rain's true desire: to initiate and enhance play. A notion youngsters intuitively already know. Why else would puddles assume such rapt appreciation!

The Little Girl and The Rain is a picture book that can easily be pulled out again and again whether at bedtime or during those 'wet lunch' occasions at school and hopefully help us all find a friend in the rain.

Title: The Little Girl And The Rain
Author: Milena Lukešová
Illustrator: Jan Kudláček
Publisher: New South Books, Albatross Media, $29.99
Publication Date: 1 June 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 978000076195
For ages: 3 - 7
Type: Picture Book

Buy the Book:       New South Books    



  

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