A rainy day is a great adventure for children if they are allowed to splash in the puddles. If the big game or their weekend plans are spoiled, it quickly becomes the enemy of fun.

Rainy days are great for cuddling up with a few good books and reading together.

My sons especially loved to read, or listen to me read, poems on a rainy day. Shel Silverstein was one of their favorite poets.

It was nice to hear them laughing at the silly rhymes instead of moping around the house. This month, we are recommending anthologies of poems, especially for children, and a few books about rain. Reading about rain was also one of our favorite rainy-day activities. It’s a win, win when kids learn the importance of rain and understand why we need rainy days.

Books by Shel Silverstein:

The Giving Tree  – This is the story of a little boy and the tree who loved him. The boy ate her apples and climbed her branches, and the tree was happy to always be there for him, but as he grew older, he wanted more. Kids will enjoy this story of giving. - For ages 3-8

Falling Up – Kids will enjoy this collection of quirky characters and the hilarious situations they get into. For ages 4-10

Where the Sidewalk Ends - Children will laugh at these entertaining rhymes about interesting characters with funny problems. - For ages 5-9

The Light in the Attic – More ridiculous characters and a Polar Bear in a Frigidaire – who could ask for more? For ages 5-9

Books by Jack Prelutsky:

Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young -  Over 200 hundred poems to delight and entertain young children. For Preschool-grade 2

It’s Raining Pigs and Noodles – This is the perfect book of children’s poems for a rainy day. Laugh together and enjoy the sounds of the rain while Prelutsky’s poems take you on fun adventures. For ages 5-9

The New Kid on the Block – Over 100 hilarious poems about creatures and people. For ages 6-10

Laugh-eteria by Douglas Florian – Be ready to laugh. These poems are funny and entertaining. For ages 7-10

Poetry for Young People: Maya Angelou – poems by Maya Angelou ( Edwin Graves Wilson-editor) Kids will enjoy this anthology of poems from Angelou. Some are playful and others are serious, but all are beautiful. For ages 8 and Up

Little Golden Books – For ages 4 and up

We all grew up reading Little Golden Books and there’s a new collection of biographies out that kids will love. Let them read about these wonderful role models:

Betty White                      Jackie Robinson

Dolly Parton                     Frida Kahlo

Ruth Bader Ginsburg      Martin Luther King, Jr.

Kamala Harris                  Johnny Appleseed

Worm Weather by Jean Taft – As kids splash and play in the puddles, they meet a worm who is also enjoying the rain. For ages 2-5

All About the Weather: A First Weather Book for Kids by Huda Harajli – Fun facts and simple to understand information about weather and the four seasons. For ages 3-5

Amelia Bedelia and the Surprise Shower by Peggy Parish – When Amelia is put in charge of a surprise wedding shower, she shows up with a hose. Kids will enjoy her silly misunderstandings of words and all their possible meanings. – For ages 4-8

Singing in the Rain by Tim Hopgood – Based on the famous song from the Broadway musical of the same name. It’s a wonderful celebration of the rain and a great introduction to the musical and Fred Astaire’s amazing dance. For ages 4-8

The Everything KIDS’ Weather Book: From Tornadoes to Snowstorms, Puzzles, Games, and Facts That Make Weather for Kids Fun! By Joseph Snedeker – Kids learn fun facts about weather and enjoy weather-related games and puzzles. For ages 6-12

The Brainiacs Book of the Climate and Weather by Rosie Cooper – Kids will discover the difference between climate and weather while learning fun and interesting facts about each and conducting hands-on weather experiments. - For ages 9-12