THE FALLING RAINDROP
by Neil Johnson and illustrated by Joel Chin
Minimalist art and spare text create a narrative based on the water cycle, which is briefly explained in the front matter, but this is less a science book than a philosophical treatise on living in the moment and hoping for the best. Grey watercolor storm clouds gather, and a falling raindrop’s initial joy and excitement fades as he begins to worry about his fate. His anxiety about “crashing into a rock / or a road / or a field / or a house” causes him to miss the excitement and fun of the fall. Ultimately, landing in a campfire allows the raindrop to rise up again as a wisp of steam, alleviating his concerns and allowing him to anticipate his transformation back into a raindrop. The visual narrative reads like film animation, with some page turns at the beginning resembling flip-book art in their quick succession. While the book sometimes struggles to resolve its message, story and aesthetic, this will serve as a fine read aloud and as a different spin on the water cycle. (Picture book. 4-7)