Author/Illustrator: Felicia Bond
Publisher: Laura Geringer Books, 2002
Age Level: 4-6yrs
Themes: valentines, rain, imagination, friendship
Opening: One day it started raining hearts. and Cornelia Augusta caught one.
Summary: (from the publisher) Originally published in 1983 as Four Valentines in a Rainstorm, The Day It Rained Hearts follows young Cornelia Augusta as she makes creative use of a most unusual downpour. Along with the name change, Bond’s offering has also been enlarged, adding a generous white frame around sweet and simple vignettes of Cornelia fashioning a quartet of handcrafted Valentine’s Day cards; includes a heart-themed sticker sheet.
What I think: This is my favorite Valentine’s Day related book. It’s simple story is heartwarming and so much fun I wish it would happen to me! Personally, I prefer the former title, and the lack of valentines in the tree in the last illo – the original illustration ‘leaves’ you free to imagine!
Resources/Activities: What else – make your own Valentine’s Day Cards! Talk about what each recipient likes and fashion the cards to suit; Stories about friends and valentines, songs and finger plays.
For more PPBF picks, go to Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog – HERE
julie rowan-zoch 