TITLE: BLUE ON BLUE
AUTHOR: Dianne White
ILLUSTRATOR: Beth Krommes
PUBLICATION INFO: Beach Lane Books (2014)
ISBN:9781442412675
SOURCE: library
INTENDED AUDIENCE: grades K-3
GENRE: picture book
OPENING and SYNOPSIS:
“Cotton clouds.
Morning light.
Blue on blue.
White on white.”
From the publisher: “Discover the joys of a wild rainstorm in this poetic picture book, illustrated by a Caldecott Medalist.
Join a farming family as they experience the full range of a thrilling seaside thunderstorm—from the wild wind and the very first drops; to the pouring, pouring rain; to the wonderful messy mud after the sun returns!
With gentle, rhyming text and vivid artwork from a Caldecott Medal–winning illustrator, this sublime depiction of nature’s patterns turns a storm into a celebration.”
THEMES/TOPICS: weather
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: Dianne White’s rhythmic text builds and bursts just like the thunderstorm it depicts. Beth Krommes’s illustrations add an additional layer to the story, showing the reaction of a girl and farm animals to the storm. Young children will love the rhythm and rhyme. In the classroom, teachers can use the book to discuss weather patterns.
RESOURCES/ACTIVITIES:
- White’s Web site includes a teachers’ guide.
- Replicate Krommes’s scratchboard technique following instructions here on babbledabbledo.
- The Kennedy Center’s site includes directions for making your own rainstick.
You’ll find way more cool books at Susanna Leonard Hill’s “Perfect Picture Books.” Every Friday folks review a host of new books. Join us!
Kirsten W. Larson 
Love Krommes’ work – so much energy!
My kids love doing scratchpad work (with tempera paint). I remember doing it when I was a kid. It’s so much fun.
Me too!