It Starts With a Raindrop is an adorable book. The gorgeous, soft, watercolor illustrations are stunning and the story is simple, yet engaging for children.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author, Aimee Gallagher, for the Advanced Reading Copy.

Beautiful book explaining the water cycle in simple ways for kiddos to understand. This is great for independent readers but I could see it being used in a classroom setting also, to support the lesson.

The pictures are some of the prettiest I’ve seen in a children’s book. Needed to say that first. I also think this was such a good way to teach the water cycle to children, the poem was amazing and it works really well.

As a homeschool family (and former early childhood teacher) I am always looking for books that help bring learning to the classroom in creative and fun ways. This book does exactly that. A wonderful science experience for little ones. In this adorable story we follow the tiny raindrop as it makes its way through the water cycle. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. They really show the beauty and colors of nature. The rhyming text flows so easily that even our littlest ones can follow along with the story. They learn to understand not only the water cycle but how our world and the life in it depends on water. It shows the beauty that water creates for us, animals and nature. Your family will love learning in this calm way. I also think it would be perfect for any early childhood or elementary classroom. The possibilities are endless. Enjoy this adventure together.

A beautifully illustrated story of the water cycle that is perfect for children. This answers questions in a simple and factual way.

‘It Starts With a Raindrop’ by Aimee Gallagher is a beautifully crafted book that explores the water cycle in a way that is both educational and enchanting. This book takes readers on a journey from the first drop of rain to the rivers, lakes, and oceans it feeds, showing the interconnectedness of nature. Perfect for young readers, this story is a wonderful tool for teaching about the environment while also captivating the imagination with its lyrical prose and stunning illustrations.

Plot: ★★★★★
The plot is simple yet profound, following the life of a single raindrop as it makes its way through the water cycle. The narrative flows effortlessly, making it easy for children to understand complex concepts in a straightforward and engaging manner. The story’s pacing is ideal, allowing readers to absorb the information without feeling rushed, and it ends on a hopeful note that leaves a lasting impression.

Character: ★★★★★
Though the story doesn’t feature traditional characters, the raindrop itself becomes a central figure, guiding readers through its journey. This personification of the raindrop adds a unique charm to the story, making the water cycle more relatable and engaging for young minds. The raindrop’s journey serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of water in our world, making it a memorable "character" that readers will remember long after the story ends.

Illustrations: ★★★★★
The illustrations in ‘It Starts With a Raindrop’ are breathtaking, bringing the story to life with vibrant colours and intricate details. Each page is a visual feast that captures the beauty of nature and the movement of water in its various forms. The artwork complements the text perfectly, enhancing the overall reading experience and making the book a joy to look through again and again.

Engagement: ★★★★★
This book excels in keeping young readers engaged from start to finish. The combination of a captivating narrative and stunning illustrations ensures that children will be drawn into the story, eager to see where the raindrop’s journey will take them next. The educational content is presented in a way that feels more like an adventure than a lesson, making it an excellent tool for both teaching and entertainment.

Readability: ★★★★★
The language used in the book is clear, simple, and age-appropriate, making it accessible to young readers. The prose is rhythmic and poetic, adding a soothing quality to the story that makes it perfect for bedtime reading. The book’s readability ensures that children of varying reading levels can enjoy the story, whether on their own or with a parent or teacher.

Enjoyment: ★★★★★
‘It Starts With a Raindrop’ is a thoroughly enjoyable read that combines education with storytelling in a way that feels effortless. The book’s message about the importance of water and the environment is delivered with a light touch, making it both informative and delightful. It’s the kind of book that children will want to return to, not just for the story, but for the comfort and beauty it offers.


‘It Starts With a Raindrop’ by Aimee Gallagher is a masterful blend of education and artistry that makes learning about the water cycle a truly magical experience. With its engaging plot, beautiful illustrations, and accessible language, this book is sure to become a favourite for children and parents alike. It’s a must-have for any collection, offering a perfect balance of knowledge and enjoyment that will resonate with readers of all ages.

A very simple story about rain and the cycle of water, told by quick rhyming verses and very pretty illustrations.
Rhyming verses in my opinion make reading fun for younger readers/listeners and because they are.shoer and snappy, the information included is remembered.
Lovely book that every younger.bool shelf should include.

Beautifully illustrated and a great story about rain. Would be very useful as a story for when children learn about it at school

First of all I have to mention how gorgeous the illustrations in this book are. I love how they are soft and soothing, not garish, but still attention catching. I read this to my children after having several days of rain and it was a delight to read. The rhyming text with the beautiful illustrations made for a perfect match! It's an easy and straightforward yet lovely way to discuss the water cycle.

The illustrations in this book were absolutely fantastic! As someone who paints (gouache, acrylic) as a hobby, it was such a delight reading this in my phone. I can only imagine how much more gorgeous they would look like printed. The color palette was very eye-catching, the style simple yet realistic.

It's also great that the phrases were broken down into half phrases for most of the pages. A great addition to any kid's library!

Loved the poem, ‘It Starts With a Raindrop’ by Aimee Gallagher. The book breaks down each line of the poem to its own page with cute sketch’s to go with it. At the end of the book it has the entire poem on one page then an extra page for older kids that talks a little bit more about the watch cycle.

Thank you NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group - words & picture, and Aimee Gallagher for an eARC copy of ‘It Starts With a Raindrop’.

It Starts With a Raindrop celebrates the role that a raindrop plays in the water cycle and the contribution that it makes to sustain a healthy, thriving planet. This beautifully illustrated, non fiction picture book simply and effectively describes a scientific concept in a way that young children can understand.

This gentle rhyming book shows how important a raindrop is wherever it falls - in cold places as snow or as part of a tropical storm. It explains how rain soaks into the ground to help plants grow and animals thrive before it evaporates and joins others to become a cloud. It simultaneously educates and entertains while stimulating curiosity about the world around us.

We love the whimsical watercolour illustrations which bring the raindrop's journey to life. Each page conveys joy and the book ends with a fabulous fold-out scene which celebrates the ways we can enjoy water and encourages us to go outside and enjoy the contribution that raindrops make to our everyday lives.

This was really cute! It was a quick read with fun rhyming and showed the importance and cycle of water in nature in a simple to understand way for kids.

I loved this! This is a perfect way to introduce the water cycle to young kids! Plus the illustrations are so so pretty!!

The beautiful illustrations and compelling journey of the raindrop will have me reaching for this book time after time. What an amazing and lyrical way to teach the water cycle!

The water cycle for very young readers, and as a verse? A most successful and enjoyably rhyming verse, what's more? Accompanied by delightful nature watercolours, but also presented plain at the back so you can absorb the words without the visual distraction? And with a bonus, double-sized spread to close? I'm struggling to think of flaws here, so have gone down a surprising and weird rhetorical question route. I didn't think the poem flowed as well as the water at first – it seemed each spread had a kind of odd place in a kind of higgledy-piggledy structure, but it comes together by the finish, and the lesson is a delightful one all told. As close to five stars as makes no difference.

A visible poem that teaches the water cycle.
The illustrations by Sally Garland are clear, finely detailed (check out the monarch butterflies!), meaningful, and beautifully colored.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to EVERYONE, but especially to a school, hospital, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group – words & pictures | words & pictures via NetGalley. Thank you!

In addition to being a storybook, It Starts With A Raindrop by Aimee Gallagher is also a teaching book. In the story "It starts with a raindrop...", children will enjoy listening to how that raindrop creates a puddle, drenches the earth, creates blizzards and tropical storms, soaks the ground and fills the rivers, warms the water and turns it into steam, which rises and cools and forms clouds in the sky. A guide is included at the end of the book that details further into the topics "It Starts With a Raindrop", "The Water Cycle", and "The Three States Of Water".

Thank you NetGalley! This was a cute book teaching about the water cycle! My son loved it and the science in the back further explaining the water cycle in simple terms.

This would be the perfect way to introduce type lilting one to the water cycle. It is cute and easy to follow, yet informative. The illustrations are beautiful as well