RAINY DAY!

Four rhyme-happy crocodiles find fun during a long steady storm. There’s nothing to do indoors, so even though it’s raining, crocodiles Sam, Pam, Will and Jill decide to play outside. They put on colorful raincoats and boots and hats and take their umbrellas. Rain and fog make the trip slow going, but the foursome finds an empty miniature golf course and a big wet pooch with whom they play baseball (the umbrellas make good bats). When the rain turns to hail, they find the perfect place for rainy day adventure: their local library, where they can have the same exciting adventures but stay warm and toasty. The format’s bold minimalism is attractive; Nash’s simple crisp illustrations, in black Prismacolor pencil and Photoshop, combine with easy rhymes and large simple type to invite early readers, who should be able to tackle the text themselves. (Picture book. 2-6)