The Patterson Puppies and the Rainy Day Book

What better diversion for a rainy day? The cup of imagination overflows for a family of spirited pups in this comical picture book from Leslie Patricelli.

It’s a rainy day, and the Patterson puppies have run out of things to do. If only it were sunny and warm, they could go to the beach! But then Petra gets an idea. Indoor beach party! Buckets! A blue-carpet ocean! The surfing and undersea diving are a blast, until . . . mom and dad appear on the shore. Uh-oh! Will a mop-brigade party be as much fun? Rambunctious pups are sure to relate to this cautionary tale — and be eager to dive right in.

Children's Literature

Sibling pups Andy, Penelope, Zack, and Petra have a lot of imagination, but like most preschoolers, they can't foresee the consequences of their actions, the kind of consequences that really matter to adults. But that's what can happen when you're stuck inside on a rainy day. After the four exhaust all their indoor ideas, they wonder what would happen if they make an ocean in the middle of the carpet so they could pretend they're at the beach? What begins as a little teacup full of water soon becomes an enormous puddle the size of the room. While this is fun for the puppies, it is a disaster for the adults and the house. There are some lovely stop-and-predict points throughout the story, which can be enjoyed when sharing this book with young readers. For example, just before the parents discover the mess and have doggie heart attacks, the adult reader can ask, "What do you think will happen next?" or "What should the puppies do now?" The endpages of the book portend the shift from a summer adventure to a winter possibility that can also be a part of the story's fun. The Patterson puppies' pretend play is perfect for a preschool pup—a human one, that is. Reviewer: Maggie Chase