First Rain

February 1, 2010
Gr 1-3-When Abby and her parents depart for their new home in Israel, the rain mirrors the girl's sadness in leaving her beloved grandmother. They keep in touch through phone calls, emails, and letters. Abby shares everyday experiences like going on a "tiyul" (hike) and buying the freshest dates and figs at the "shuk" (marketplace). Their letters to one another are incorporated into the artwork, and an insert of Grandma examining a jar of Dead Sea mud shares a spread with Abby's letter and a view of the water. Grandma thinks of her granddaughter when it rains, and another insert shows them splashing through puddles together. She sends Abby brightly colored autumn leaves to share with her classmates. With summer over, Abby waits for the first rain, which also brings her grandmother for a visit. Mitter's acrylic illustrations also portray a scene at the Western Wall and the diversity of the Israeli population. Besides being a realistic look at another culture, this well-written book is heartwarming and reassuring."Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2010
Grades K-2 The author of The Memory Cupboard: A Thanksgiving Story (2003) offers another family-themed picture book, this one about immigrating to Israel. Abby and her parents are excited to begin their new lifelearning Hebrew, eating different foods, and visiting the Dead Seabut Abby also misses her American grandmother, who keeps in touch through letters, e-mails, and phone calls. During the dry summer, Abby looks forward to the first autumn rain, and, miraculously, Grandma arrives for a visit on the very day the rain begins. Hermans simple story offers a good look at contemporary secular life in Israel. Mitters brightly colored acrylic paintings perfectly complement Hermans upbeat text and emphasize the special relationship between Abby and Grandma. Several split-panel illustrations highlight the differences between the two countries, and keep readers informed of Grandmas activities. This makes a good choice for families living far from relatives or for those contemplating a trip to Israel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)