Abigail and the Restless Raindrop | Book Review

Some of our Puffin Book Club members may remember another BIG question that a curious little girl called Abigail asked last year in our Puffin Book of the Month “Abigail and the Birth of the Sun”. In this book Abigail had a BIG question about our sun. She’s back with another!

We loved Abigail and the Birth of the Sun and its explanation of the birth of the big star, detailed with all the information we want to feed our curiosity and illustrations to spark little (or rather large) imaginations, all in an easily understood beautiful picture book, which has now been chosen as a finalist for best picture book in the NZ Children’s and YA Awards!

Now Abigail is back, with the next big question and this time she asks how the heck does water get in the clouds? Not exactly like that, but that’s the question that I had just recently been asked by two 6 year olds. I thought I knew the answer because I must have been told quite some time ago, but I couldn’t quite remember if I was correct or not. Turns out I was correct, and the answer is now a lot sharper in my knowledge bank.

Abigail and the Restless Raindrop

So “how does the water get in the clouds?” To discover the answer Mummy takes Abigail on a magical adventure, with a tiny drop of lake water. Together they soar into the clouds to discover where raindrops come from, and explore the amazing movement of water around the Earth! Raindrop dreams, floating drops, puffs of steam, flying clouds over mountains and valleys to return to the sparkling lake again. It really is a lovely bedtime story doubling as an introduction to the hydrologic (water) cycle!

Abigail and the Restless Raindrop is again illustrated beautifully giving the kids that visual nudge to imagine exactly what happens on a raindrops journey from drop to cloud to drop again. Our 6 year olds Starling and River were gripped as they went on the adventure with Abigail. Starling connecting with the little girl and her BIG questions, River connecting with BIG questions. The 3 year old Sailor came along on the ride, for the pictures and stories about clouds and rain.

Abigail and the Restless Raindrop

Written in easy but stimulating language both 6 year olds ate up the adventure as we travelled along taking in the life cycle of this little drop of water. Many questions were answered and just as many more were asked. That’s a good sign in my book, that the kids are thinking, and loving it! Sailor the 3 year old still seemed none the wiser but knew for sure the little girl’s name was Abigail.

A sweet, easy and beautiful book before bed, sure to light up eyes and encourage wonderings. Another great BIG question answered, and another great read. We look forward to hearing all bout Abigail’s next BIG question!

Ronnie Swainston
Written by Ronnie Swainston

Online Producer & Experiences Editor Ronnie is mum to two spirited kids who keep her on her toes. With a love for travel, film, tv, photography and  food plus having a keen curiosity means she’ll give almost anything a go, making her and her family up for the task of experiencing.

Favourite place to be: On an adventure

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