Best Picture Books About Rain (2026): 5 Compared

Rainy days call for good books. The best picture books about rain turn gray skies into adventures, from water cycles to puddle jumping. We compared five books by story, illustrations and age appeal.

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Compare the picks

Details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

The picks: best picture books about rain

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The Little Raindrop	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	The Big Umbrella	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	In the Rain	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Nature Stories: Little Raindrop	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Worm Weather by Taft	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

The Little Raindrop

Joanna Gray·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A heartwarming adventure by Joanna Gray with pastel illustrations, following a raindrop through the water cycle.

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Pros

• Water cycle education
• Pastel illustrations
• Heartwarming adventure
• Joanna Gray author

Cons

• No page count stated
• No age stated
• No format stated
• May suit younger readers

2

The Big Umbrella

Amy June Bates·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A rain picture book, 40 pages, reading age 3 to 7 years, published February 6, 2018.

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Pros

• 40 pages; Beach Lane
• 2018 edition; illustrated
• Reading age 3 to 7 years, from customers

Cons

• Inclusion themes; heavy for some
• 2018; older
• 40 pages

3

In the Rain

Elizabeth Spurr·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A girl's rainy day adventure with paper boats, puddles and mud pies, by Elizabeth Spurr.

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Pros

• Relatable rainy day fun
• Charming illustrations
• Simple evocative language
• Springtime activities

Cons

• No page count stated
• No age stated
• No format stated
• Short story likely

4

Nature Stories: Little Raindrop

IglooBooks·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A rain board book, 24 pages, reading age 1 to 3 years, published December 13, 2022.

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Pros

• 24 pages; Igloo Books
• 2022 edition; board book
• Reading age 1 to 3 years, from customers

Cons

• 24 pages; very short
• Board book; thin
• STEM; light on story

5

Worm Weather by Taft

Jean Taft·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page playful rainy-day story for toddlers, starring kids and a worm splashing through puddles.

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Pros

• Reading age 2-4 years, the youngest band here
• Playful rainy-day story for toddlers
• 2015 Grosset and Dunlap edition

Cons

• 32 pages only
• Rain only, not all weather
• No grade level is stated on the listing

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How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs story, illustrations, value and age appeal. For rain books, story means engaging rainy-day narratives. The top two have the most detailed listings. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best picture book about rain

Educational vs pure fun

The Little Raindrop teaches the water cycle. In the Rain is pure rainy-day fun with puddles and mud pies. Decide whether you want learning or laughter.

Age and format

The padded board book suits toddlers who chew. The picture books suit preschoolers and up. Match the format to the child’s age.

Illustration style

Pastel illustrations (Little Raindrop) feel gentle; charming scenes (In the Rain) feel lively. The style sets the mood for bedtime versus playtime.

Before you buy

• Check the age range for the intended reader.
• Board books survive toddlers; paper suits older kids.
• Look for interactive elements for engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is best for toddlers?

The padded board book, durable for little hands.

Which teaches about rain?

The Little Raindrop, following the water cycle from cloud to puddle.

Are these good for rainy days?

Yes. All five celebrate rain, from puddles to umbrellas.

Which is most fun?

In the Rain, with paper boats, puddle splashing and mud pies.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe Little Raindrop

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