Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Scholastic (1994)
Description
When the moon gives twelve tiny babies to a childless couple, the new parents take great care of their charges and eventually receive an unexpected reward.
User reviews
LibraryThing member rosinalippi
The illustrations alone make this book worth having, but there's also a lovely story. A middle aged couple who have wanted a baby for a long time are entrusted with a whole crowd of little (and I mean, little) ones they have to keep out of harm's way. Who sent them, and why, and what will become of
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them -- there's a wonderful ending to this story. The last picture may be my all time favorite illustration in a children's book. Show Less
LibraryThing member smyers
An older couple had all they could ever want, money, house, marriage....or did they? This childless couple sat at the table each night wishing for a baby to bring them joy. One night when the rain slowed, the couple ran out into the moonshower for good fortune. They were blessed to find at their
The illustrations in this book were beautiful, almost like still photography. The storyline was easy to follow and almost mystical when the babies were found. The book shows how even with all the money and security, happiness is defined differently to everyone. The ending of the book was joyful to read. For the illustrations and the storyline with morals lightly sprinkled in for added "umph", this will go in my want list.
As an extension for classroom activity, I would ask the children what brings them happiness and use this opportunity for floor time and open forum. Art could be used to have the children draw what makes them happy. Asking each child to write out their definition of happiness could show them how the dictionary is set up. A follow up discussion could be used to question the student if the item they chose to make them happy disappeared how they would feel, or if that item really made them happy or was it just a want?
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feet 12 tiny rainbabies to bring them joy. The babies were no bigger than a toe. Many challenges faced this couple and the new babies, but each time the man and women met the challenge and the babies were safe. When a knock at the door startles this couple asking them to give the babies in exchange for life long prosperity and wealth, they decline. This decision will change their lives forever.The illustrations in this book were beautiful, almost like still photography. The storyline was easy to follow and almost mystical when the babies were found. The book shows how even with all the money and security, happiness is defined differently to everyone. The ending of the book was joyful to read. For the illustrations and the storyline with morals lightly sprinkled in for added "umph", this will go in my want list.
As an extension for classroom activity, I would ask the children what brings them happiness and use this opportunity for floor time and open forum. Art could be used to have the children draw what makes them happy. Asking each child to write out their definition of happiness could show them how the dictionary is set up. A follow up discussion could be used to question the student if the item they chose to make them happy disappeared how they would feel, or if that item really made them happy or was it just a want?
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LibraryThing member stharp
This book is a wonderfully portrayed fantasy. The babies in this book being so little and falling from the sky within the rain, make it impossible for the story to ever happen in real life. The characterization in the book of the parent and the babies is extraordinary.
LibraryThing member mrichter
This is a magical book with wonderfull illustrations. The storyline pulls you in. Who wouldn't be fascinated by a dozen miniature babies come down from the sky. This book read aloud in the classroom would spark any imagination.
LibraryThing member klightwi
Great example of texture in artwork. I love the story line of a mother who could not have children naturally but gives care to these precious tiny children. It also show that if they aren't the mother's child they are still going to be protected and loved by their mother.
LibraryThing member chermom5
This beautiful book tells of the story of a childless couple who long for a baby. The woman wishes for babies, and in a thunderstorm, a dozen tiny babies (no longer than her big toe) are given to them. After many calamities, they must give the tiny babies up, but Mother Moonshower gives them a
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beautiful, normal-sized baby as a reward for their goodness. This charming tale is beautifully illustrated with artwork that shows the affection between the couple, the terror of their troubles, and the beauty of the babies. Show Less
LibraryThing member jthuro1
"The Rainbabies" is a beautiful book with warm illustrations and an even warmer story. The author reveals to the reader the importance of love for people and responsibility over love for riches and comfort when the man and woman choose the rainbabies over a precious moon stone. The author models a
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pair of capable and caring parents who are able to protect their little children from "fire, water and earth". The illustrations in "The Rainbabies" tell just as much of the story as the written words do. Show Less
LibraryThing member DVerdecia
This was a good story of an old couple wishing for a child. They were given a gift of a dozen tiny rainbabies. What they thought was a blessing was actually a test given to them by mother moon. It was a test to see what kind of parents these two would actually become. Mother moon also threw at them
This book is beautifully illustrated . The print is rather small for a young reader to read on their own but it is a perfect book to be read to the young person and for show and tell. The story itself is also a kind story that shows that not everything is as it seems, but if you keep to your core values, one comes out a winner.
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a few challenges that the old couple dealt with admirably. In the end, mother moon took back her rainbaby and blessed the old couple with a baby daughter.This book is beautifully illustrated . The print is rather small for a young reader to read on their own but it is a perfect book to be read to the young person and for show and tell. The story itself is also a kind story that shows that not everything is as it seems, but if you keep to your core values, one comes out a winner.
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LibraryThing member Whisper1
Immediately after reading this, I went back and read it again, savoring the wonderful images. LaMarche is one of my favorite illustrators. Every work he does is breathtaking, but in particular, The Rainbabies resonated with me.
This is indeed a fairy tale with a happy ending. Though there is joy,
I tremendously admire the art of LaMarche. His images, particularly in this book, shine through with soft, realistic patina.
An older, barren couple lament that they do not have children. They have everything they need and want, except a child.
One night, the wife implores her husband to wish on the moon. Soon thereafter, a moon shower occurs, and as they search the soft, rain-filled grass they discover a dozen teeny, tiny, no bigger than a thumb, fully formed babies.
They so enjoy taking care of the babies, singing to them, dressing them, and rocking them. Presented with a series of frequent times of peril and crisis, including a wild animal who takes one of the babies in his mouth and runs away, and there is the experience of a fast-moving storm that threatens to end the happiness of a picnic in the boat when the babies are whisked away.
Throughout the events of crisis, their only aim is to protect the children. Mother moonshine appears to thank the elderly couple for the wonderful way in which they have protected her babies. Claiming the moon babies back into her fold, she rewards the couple with a real life daughter of their own.
This book is sappy and wonderful! Sure to bring a smile to even the hardened soul, it is a delightful, sugar coated, refreshing treat of swirling happiness.
This is indeed a fairy tale with a happy ending. Though there is joy,
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followed by impending doom and peril, all is right in the end. There is no evilness; there is only elation, love and sheer joy.I tremendously admire the art of LaMarche. His images, particularly in this book, shine through with soft, realistic patina.
An older, barren couple lament that they do not have children. They have everything they need and want, except a child.
One night, the wife implores her husband to wish on the moon. Soon thereafter, a moon shower occurs, and as they search the soft, rain-filled grass they discover a dozen teeny, tiny, no bigger than a thumb, fully formed babies.
They so enjoy taking care of the babies, singing to them, dressing them, and rocking them. Presented with a series of frequent times of peril and crisis, including a wild animal who takes one of the babies in his mouth and runs away, and there is the experience of a fast-moving storm that threatens to end the happiness of a picnic in the boat when the babies are whisked away.
Throughout the events of crisis, their only aim is to protect the children. Mother moonshine appears to thank the elderly couple for the wonderful way in which they have protected her babies. Claiming the moon babies back into her fold, she rewards the couple with a real life daughter of their own.
This book is sappy and wonderful! Sure to bring a smile to even the hardened soul, it is a delightful, sugar coated, refreshing treat of swirling happiness.
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LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Author Laura Krauss Melmed and illustrator Jim LaMarche join forces in this beautiful original fairy-tale, which follows the trials and tribulations of an elderly couple who longs for a child. When they discover twelve little rainbabies in a moon shower one night, they take in the diminutive
Although I have enjoyed other books by both Melmed and LaMarche, and although I have long been aware of The Rainbabies, which was first published almost thirty years ago, I never happened to pick it up. Thanks are due to my friend Amalie for recommending it to me, and reminding me to get to it! The story itself is engaging, with lots of traditional folk/fairy-tale elements, from the childless couple to the miniature children, and the accompanying artwork is simply gorgeous! LaMarche never fails to please, and his luminous paintings here are particularly lovely. Recommended to fairy-tale lovers, and to anyone who appreciates beautiful picture-books.
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orphans, and protect them from every danger, whether from water or fire. They are offered riches for the babies, but they refuse, and their worth as parents is rewarded when Mother Moonshower arrives to claim her children, bringing a human child in exchange...Although I have enjoyed other books by both Melmed and LaMarche, and although I have long been aware of The Rainbabies, which was first published almost thirty years ago, I never happened to pick it up. Thanks are due to my friend Amalie for recommending it to me, and reminding me to get to it! The story itself is engaging, with lots of traditional folk/fairy-tale elements, from the childless couple to the miniature children, and the accompanying artwork is simply gorgeous! LaMarche never fails to please, and his luminous paintings here are particularly lovely. Recommended to fairy-tale lovers, and to anyone who appreciates beautiful picture-books.
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Subjects
Awards
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades K-3 — 1994)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Grades K-3 — 1995)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — Picture Books — 1995)
NCTE Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K—Grade 6 (10th Edition: 1988-1992)
Language
Original publication date
1992
Physical description
12 inches
ISBN
0590484850 / 9780590484855