Tim Hopgood

Using the classic musical number from Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown as a text, illustrator Tim Hopgood presents this engaging picture-book celebration of rain storms, springtime, and our joyful connection to the world around us. His diverse cast of child characters go singing through the rain, and through the world...

I'm not always a fan of picture-books created from popular songs, as I often feel that as texts, they don't really work well when divorced from their accompanying music. show more That said, Hopgood's Singing in the Rain is an exception, as I felt that here the text will work very well, as an expression of the idea of the book, even if the reader is unfamiliar with the song. The artwork is colorful and appealing, capturing the fun and excitement of the children playing (and singing) in the rain. Recommended to fans of the song (of which, I am one) and to anyone looking for picture-books about rainstorms and/or springtime. show less

I am a HUGE proponent of this book. Yes, that is largely in part because of my love for the Gene Kelly film. However, this book is awesome for use as "SING as an Early Literacy Practice." Indeed, I used it this past week in my Every Child Ready to Read session.

I dare you to try reading it as it--without the tune. I barely can. And I almost hate doing that even to start off. I like exposing children to bygone songs that parents/grandparents might know but they don't. The illustrations in show more Singing in the Rain (and all of Tim Hopgood's books) are so inviting and fun as well.

The touch of music notes, indeed the rhythm of the song, interspersed on each page is a fun touch. The music buff in me appreciates that. show less

Review of eBook

All Sidney wants is to look down on the world and see happy, smiling faces. But whenever Sidney appears, everyone wishes that he would just go away.

And so Sidney goes away.

He passes over farmland, rivers, and bridges, over towns and cities, and over the ocean. But drifting over the water made Sidney grow bigger . . . and bigger . . . and bigger.

What will happen when Sidney reaches the land on the other side of the ocean?

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The target audience for this picture book is the show more young reader, ages three through seven, preschool through second grade. Colorful illustrations accompany the heartfelt story of the little cloud, helping readers understand that everyone is special, everyone has unique gifts to share and everyone has an important place in the world.

But young readers may question why Sidney had to go so far away to find those smiles and his own specialness. Why didn’t the picnickers and the kite-flyers, the farm-dwellers and the city-dwellers see his specialness? Why didn’t they see that the rain was important to their lives, too?

As sweet as the denouement of this tender tale may be, adults should be prepared to explain to young readers why Sidney felt unappreciated in the beginning of the story and why the people couldn't find a smile for him.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Flyaway Books and NetGalley
#SidneytheLonelyCloud #NetGalley show less

This book is adorable. Sydney is a cloud, a rain cloud. Whenever Sydney shows up most people are mad they’re angry. They want Sydney to go away so they can enjoy their fun in the sun. But Sydney just needed to find the right location. Someplace dry and very hot. Where rain is a blessed event that everybody comes out to take pardon. To smile to play to be excited. And Sydney gets to join in all the fun. Kids are going to love this book not just for the story but for the illustrations and show more it’s really nice to see how the same thing can be both good and bad all based on someone’s perception. show less