It's Raining, It's Pouring

Davenier's (the Very Fairy Princess books) fluid artwork illustrates the lyrics to Peter, Paul, and Mary's 1962 recording, "It's Raining." When rain interrupts a group of kids' outdoor fun, they head indoors to play hide-and-seek, while one child reads in bed with the ailing "old man" (grandpa), who bumped his head on a flowerpot. The folk trio's lyrics reference the hide-and-seek game, and the verses draw in other nursery rhymes ("Hey Diddle Diddle"; "Star Light, Star Bright"); the song's original verse about burning ladybug children has been skipped, happily. In Davenier's capable hands, the grandparents' warm, welcoming home provides a cozy contrast to the gloomy weather, and the verses accompany whimsical fantasy scenes of grandpa and child interacting with nursery rhyme characters; along with the lines "Won't be my father's Jack./ No, I won't be my mother's Jill," the grandfather offers his ice pack to Jack, who has just tumbled down the hill. A sweet-natured interpretation with a happy ending%E2%80%94grandpa is certainly capable of getting up in the morning. An accompanying CD presents this and two other songs. Ages 4%E2%80%93up. (July)