Sam, Pam, Will, and Jill - a quartet of crocodiles - are completely bored on a rainy day and decide to go outside anyway. Their various attempts for outdoor play are all ultimately thwarted. The group ends up at the library instead, where everyone finds something to their liking.

The saying "Less is more" is often applicable to books when an author's long windedness interferes with their storytelling. However, the complete opposite is the case here. My feeling after reading this book several times now is that it needs more narration to make it work and bring all the pieces together. I've shared this book with many kids, ranging in age from 2-6, and every time it seems like they're not quite getting it. I find myself having to fill in the missing pieces to explain what's going on as the four characters seem to be just randomly shouting words without context. Meanwhile, the illustrations are just okay, and they don't do much to fill in the missing parts of the text.

After having limited success with this book multiple times, I've decided to take it out of my rotation and wouldn't recommend it, even for lessons or discussions around weather and/or rainy days in particular. ( )

It’s another rainy day and Sam, Pam, Will, and Jill are bored. So the crocodiles put on their rain hats, boots, and coats, grab their umbrellas and off they go. Their adventures take them through dense fog, to a mini-golf park, and into a game of baseball. They’re having a great time in the rain, but when it starts to hail they know the weather has them beat. They hurry into the nearest building, the library! There they each find the perfect book and settle into a quiet nook to read.

The rhyming text of the book is geared toward early readers, with lots of repetition of phrases and words. The illustrations are whimsical; there’s something delightful about crocodiles in rain gear. I also love the alligator’s car, a combination of a Mini Cooper and a golf cart.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2012/03/book-65-rainy-day-by-patricia-lakin....

Excellent rhyming book, four alligators decide to play outside even though it is raining. They play mini-golf, baseball, find a dog, then end up at the library. Great rhyming. ( )

Four crocodiles won't let a little rain and foggy weather stop them from playing outside. Preschool and up.