When the Rain Came Down
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
A stunning picture book by Leslie Helakoski and illustrated by Keisha Morris about resilience, survival, and hope found in community.
When the rain came down and the water rose up . . .
thousands fled but many couldn’t leave.
When the rain came down and the water rose up . . .
a community came together.
When the rain came down and the water rose up . . .
hope grew from heartache.
With lyrical text and evocative illustrations, When the Rain Came Down spreads a powerful message of resilience through community building after the tides of a natural disaster and captures the incredible strength of shared humanity even on the darkest days.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Telling the story of a rainstorm turned flood, Helakoski creates an account of destruction, displacement, and rebuilding in this vivid picture of extreme weather's human dimensions. Declarative prose describes the effects as "the rain came down/ and the water rose up.../ waves rolled in/ and water surged." The water cracks walls open, while "rivers swelled/ levees breached/ and voices yelled." Eventually, rescues occur, and the waters recede as people come together "and hope rose up...." From start to finish, driving verses conclude with the community-oriented refrain "come over! come over!"—a sentiment that suggests need and assistance amid crisis and its aftermath. Morris's somber artwork visualizes the storm's extremes through geometric textures, vibrant colors, and figures of varied skin tones reacting to the events. A concluding author's note connects the story to events in southern Louisiana. Ages 3–6.
