Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain: A Nandi Tale

In this lovely rhyming picture book, based upon the folk traditions of the Nandi people of Kenya, a herdsman named Ki-pat finds a way to end the drought, and bring some much-needed rain to Kapiti Plain. Originally collected by British anthropologist Sir Claud Hollis, and included in his 1909 book The Nandi: Their Language and Folklore, the tale has been modernized by Verna Aardema, whose many excellent adaptations of African folklore include the Caldecott Medal-winner, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears.

I enjoyed Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain immensely, and had such fun with the rhyming narrative, that I began to read it aloud to myself. I can see why it was selected to be a Reading Rainbow book! Beatriz Vidal's beautiful show more illustrations provide a charming accompaniment to the story, which would make an ideal story-hour selection. show less

I ended up enjoying this book more than I predicted. When it started repeating the phrases and establishing a pattern, I became drawn into it. I liked that each phrase added expanded the picture so that the reader could understand the wide variety of things all related and unified by the Plain. It was really interesting to hear the unique words from this culture, and I loved how the pictures enhanced them. The pattern, rhyme, and rhythm made it super soothing to listen to and hear read aloud. I really liked reading this book about something that I usually don't see children's books based off of-it was nice to see a different culture and perspective of children's books from the ones I grew up reading. On the other hand, when I was show more looking at the summaries of this book, I never picked up on the myth that it tells about where Ki-pat shoots the cloud to bring the rain. I don't know if this just went over my head as I got caught up in the rhythm, or if it was too confusing for me to comprehend.
The rain brings a sense of rejuvenation and hope to the overall message of the book. It's really interesting how the overall theme of the book is enhanced by the growing picture and descriptions within the scenery, which contributes to the culture and togetherness the book portrays. show less

Reading Rainbow
A beautifully illustrated book, fine for its time, but I'm afraid that I cannot condone the revision or the fact that neither author nor illustrator is African or even of African descent, apparently. Also the story just doesn't make sense, tbh. If shooting an eagle feather broke open a cloud, believe me, it would have been done in the SW US and myriad other places.

The rhyme scheme of this book is highly entertaining. I was drawn to the book because of the rhyme scheme. Rhepetition makes this book fun to read and easy to understand. The book almost has a song pattern to it because of the Rhyming Rhepetition. I love that this book is easy to read and has a lot to offer about another culture that students do not know.

A lovely book in rhyming fashion which addresses the issue of parched dry earth wherein there is no water for animals to drink, then as the words progress, the rain falls and the wild animals on the plains of Kapiti have plenty to drink.

It is a lovely tale of need addresses by nature. Quoting from the author -- "This is Ki-Pat who watched his herd as he stood on one leg like the big stork bird. Ki-Pat whose cos were so hungry and dry, they mooed for the rain to fall from the sky."

The story progresses when Ki-Pat finds an eagle feather from the sky. Putting together a string, a leather thong which became his bow to use the feather to shot the bow that pierced the rain cloud and the thunder LOUD!

Ki-Pat has a wife, and as the grass grew show more green, they was a little baby Ki-Pat. show less

An African herder works his magic to end a devastating drought on Kapiti Plain. Told as a story-poem, great fun to read aloud with kids, and to try to memorize.

This is such a beautiful book in every aspect.. It is easy to follow/read through with a nice rhythm to the words and poem format making this an easy yet fulfilling read. I especially adore the art style and the colors used for this book.