Singing in the rain

PreS-Gr 2-Hopgood continues his picture books based on song lyrics that he began with What a Wonderful World. This adaptation of the classic tune starts off with a familiar image-a child in a yellow slicker dancing around a light post in the rain. He continues to introduce his diverse cast of characters clad in bright rainwear with big umbrellas. They dance, splash and sing their way through a dark, rainy cityscape with pops of color (flower, worm, snail, a building, etc.) as yellow musical notes hang in the air. As the verse begins again, the children become airborne Mary Poppins-style and the scene transitions from city to rainforest. Now they dance, splash and sing their way through the rainforest-animals, waterfalls, lush vegetation, etc.-as their clothing subtly changes to reflect their location. The final line in the song sees them returning to the city amidst rain, musical notes, birds, and a bit of both landscapes. The evocative watercolor illustrations contain just the right amount of rainy darkness to heighten Hopgood's perfect and judicious use of color. VERDICT Catchy lyrics coupled with imaginative illustrations produces something completely new while paying homage to the source material. A good purchase for all libraries.-Catherine Callegari, Reston Regional Library, VA © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Movie happiness is now picture-book joy.The title song from the classic 1952 movie musical is a song-and-dance salute to joie de vivreas is this book version. It opens with a cheerful double-page spread of a brown-skinned child in perfectly matched yellow rain gear perched on a lamppost as musical notes in the same cheerful yellow stand out against a blue rain-splattered background. Homage to Gene Kelly? Of course! On the following pages, children in equally colorful rainy-day outfits join in the fun as they dance and march along. They watch from the observation deck of the Empire State Building as clouds fill the sky and the same bright yellow notes appear. Close-ups of the smiling, multiracial cast follow as they watch flowers grow or a reflection in a puddle and then happily splash away to other landscapes filled with tropical birds and lush green foliage. Sing the lyrics or recite the words "based on the song" and have a really good time. Hopgood's digitally rendered collages of watercolor, pencil, and ink add depth, texture, and buoyant spirit to the package. Raindrops are delightful and danceable musical melodies. (illustrator's note) (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.