Best Rain Books for Storytime (Preschool, Kindergarten, First Grade)

Rainy day outside? No worries! Stay dry inside with these great read alouds, perfect for groups of young kiddos.

Worm Weather

By Jean Taft | Illustrated by Matt Hunt | Grosset & Dunlap, 2015

Jaunty rhyming text is perfectly complemented by adorable illustrations in this excellent read-aloud. The rhythmic pacing, and sparse dynamic word choices make this one pack a punch! Chantable or singable.

Who Likes Rain?

Wong Herbert Yee | Henry Holt & Company, 2007

This little chatable book is a gem and works so well as a read aloud. It incorporates dynamic sound effects (rich nonsense phrases galore) and perfectly paced rhyming text with built in pauses for children to fill in the blank. The soft, colored pencil illustrations give it a sweet, nostalgic feel. 

Move Over Rover

By Karen Beaumont | Illustrated by Jane Dyer | Clarion, 2006

It’s raining cats and dogs and…squirrels? Rover stays dry in his doghouse waiting out a storm when multiple animals ask to squeeze in with him - until an unwelcome guest makes a stink. One of my favorite chantable, cumulative stories of all time, this one is a winner in many forms, whether read aloud, told with puppets, felt board, or with sign language!

After It Rains: A Counting Book

Words by Joanne Schwartz | Art by Angela Doak, 2022

Discover all the things the rain brings out once the storm has passed in increments from 1-10. Minimal text, collage-style illustrations, and lovely details really draw me into this board book. The ending calls for interactive counting/splashing, which is so very cute.

Rain!

Story by Linda Ashman | Pictures by Christian Robinson | Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013

There are two main characters in this book who have very different outlooks on a rainy day: a grumpy old man and a joyful child. We follow them side-by-side until their paths converge. Will one character change the other’s mood? Clever structure, minimal text, and colorful collage illustrations will deliver an impactful dialogic reading experience and prompt discussion. 

I Don’t Like Rain!

Sarah Dillard | Aladdin, 2020

Rabbit and friends are playing outside when suddenly - oh no! It begins to rain. Soon Rabbit discovers that playing in the rain can be a blast too. Speech bubbles, repetition, and action words abound making this a great choice for a read-aloud.