Last Updated on December 1, 2023 by Louisa
Rainy days with toddlers are never easy. Without the stimulation of the outside world, it can be hard to keep the little ones entertained while it’s raining cats and dogs outside.
But don’t fret, these incredibly engaging books about rain for toddlers will allow you to have some quiet time with your little ones whilst also keeping their attention hooked on an exciting story.
So snuggle up with a story this rainy day, and enjoy one of the best books about rain for toddlers.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through any of these links.
Best Books About Rain for Toddlers
1. Splish, Splash, Ducky! – Lucy Cousins
Ducky Duckling loves the rain! Your toddler will love watching Ducky splish, splash, and paddle through the rain, sharing wonderful adventures with his friends.
But when the rain stops, Ducky feels sad. Can Dad help make Ducky happy again?
This is a quick and enjoyable read for toddlers, with lots of colorful pictures to keep them engaged. The sturdy material also means it lasts longer and doesn’t get damaged by curious fingers.
View it on:
2. Rain! – Linda Ashman
Another board book about rain for toddlers is Rain! By Linda Ashman. Illustrated by Christian Robinson, Rain! won the 2014 Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award.
This sweet story follows a grumpy old man and a young, positive boy as they go about their rainy morning.
When the grumpy man sees the boy jumping in puddles outside a cafe, the boy offers him a cookie which he declines. When the man leaves, the boy notices that he forgot his hat.
The boy goes to return the hat to the grumpy old man and in doing so, frowns at the old man to show him what he looks like to others. The grumpy old man realizes he needs to be more positive.
This heartwarming tale is simple and teaches children the power of positivity and how smiles can affect others.
View it on:
3. Rain, Rain, Go Away – Caroline Jayne Church
This iconic nursery rhyme, “rain, rain go away, come again another day” and children’s story, is one of the ultimate books about rain for toddlers.
The pictures are shiny, eye-catching, and engaging, and it’s so easy to break into song while reading through the pages to your toddler.
Because it’s a board book, it is very durable, so there is no need to worry about your child’s new favorite book getting damaged accidentally!
View it on:
4. Rain Feet – Angela Johnson
This is a very short book that is simple and straight to the point. However, toddlers love it!
The illustrations by Rhonda Mitchell are gorgeous and show delightful drawings of a boy splashing through the rain in his rain gear, such as rain boots and a jacket.
If you are looking for a quick book to read (literally a minute), this would be the one.
View it on:
5. Peep and Ducky Rainy Day – David Martin
When Peep visits Ducky on a rainy day, the friends find many enjoyable things to do.
From building a tent indoors to playing with the captain’s boat outside, this book shows much fun to be had when it rains.
Until CRASH! Thunder!
This is one of the top rain books with a lot of sensory features, which make it an excellent book to read to your toddler on rainy days as it enchants both the reader and listener.
View it on:
6. What Makes It Rain? – Katie Daynes
This flap book is designed to invoke questions and answers from children who want to know where the weather comes from.
Featuring insightful facts that any child can understand, this is an excellent picture book full of reader interactions to read to toddlers on rainy days – especially if your toddlers are inquisitive.
For a fun and informative read that lasts longer than a few minutes, What Makes It Rain? is the ultimate choice.
View it on:
7. Singing In The Rain – Tim Hopgood
We all know the iconic song ‘singing in the rain,’ but why not bring it to life with this stunning illustration book for toddlers.
The story also teaches children about being grateful and appreciative of nature and the things that often go unnoticed, such as rain.
If your toddler loves songbooks and picture books, then Tim Hopgood’s Singing in the Rain book will make them want to start playing in the rain!
View it on:
8. Come On, Rain – Karen Hesse
Come On, Rain is a thought-provoking book about rain for toddlers, as it shows them how rain is not something that comes often in some cultures, and when it does, it’s a gift.
The illustrator’s careful hand has made this story come alive. The illustrations show lots of emotion – you can feel the heat’s warmth and the heavy clouds’ coldness.
The words are poetic and tuneful, which will surely capture your toddler’s attention. I also love how it presents the joy of mothers and daughters. This is a book that even parents will enjoy reading to their toddlers.
View it on:
9. The Rain Stomper – Boswell Addie
The Rain Stomper is a tale of a little girl Baton Twirler named Jazmin, who is ready to perform in the parade today.
But just before the parade starts, the clouds come in.
Will the rain ruin Jazmin’s parade? Or can she use her passion and energy to save the day?
The Rain Stomper was illustrated by Award-winning illustrator Eric Velasquez, whose artwork of oil paint on watercolor paper complements the rhythmic words by Boswell Addie.
This story about bravery would also be an excellent story to read to your toddler who is weaning as it shows how children can be brave in the face of adversity.
View it on:
10. Float – Daniel Miyares
Float is one of my favorite rain books for toddlers because of its incredible depth and beautiful illustrations.
Float is the story of a little boy who takes a paper boat out into the rain.
As the boy dances with his boat in the downpour and puddles, his floating boat accidentally floats down a gutter stream.
The little boy then goes hunting for his beloved boat, which takes him on a new adventure.
View it on:
11. Split! Splat! – Amy Gibson
If your toddler loves sensory books with rhyme and sing-along aspects, then Split! Splat! will be the perfect rainy day book for you.
Not only is it filled with onomatopoeic words that mimic the sounds of rain – pip, pip, pip, splosh, splosh, splosh, but the rhymic prose makes storytime for toddlers fun.
Complimented with expressive illustrations, watch as your toddler’s eyes light up as you pull this book out on a rainy day.
View it on:
12. Raindrop, Plop! – Wendy Cheyette Lewison
Raindrop, Plop! is a great little book that exemplifies the importance of nature and how to notice the little details in life, such as rain dropping in a cup.
The simple rhymes and illustrations are perfect for capturing the attention of toddlers.
It isn’t a long book, but the illustrations have such attention to detail that your toddler will love looking at each page for a long time. It is the perfect quiet-time storybook for a rainy day.
View it on:
13. Worm Weather – Jean Taft
Worm Weather is another book about the rain that reads like a sing-song-poem. It’s pretty simple, short, and sweet, but still, an adorable story that toddlers just love.
Despite being called Worm Weather, it is not actually a story about worms. It’s a story of two siblings playing in the rain.
The rhyme makes the story easy for them to remember, which means you can bring it out again and again and read the story together.
There are few words and many colorful illustrations, which is perfect for keeping the attention span of a toddler.
View it on:
14. Where Does Kitty Go In The Rain? – Harriet Ziefert
Any inquisitive toddlers who love animals will surely love Where Does Kitty Go In The Rain?
This little kitty mystery book combines facts about the rain to create a beautiful picture book that is fun and engaging.
As kids go on a search for Kitty, they’ll also learn what different animals do on a rainy day.
With rhyming couplets and incredible illustrations by Brigette Barrager, this is the perfect storytime book for toddlers about rain.
If you think this sounds like a fun book, then you might also like these books about giraffes for kids.
View it on:
15. The Big Umbrella – Amy June Bates
The Big Umbrella is beautifully illustrated and the story sets you up for a cozy rainy day indoors.
The umbrella is a kind character who loves to help others. The umbrella protects others, all creatures, big and small, from the rain.
The message is sweet and uplifting, peace promoting, and inclusive of all.
If you want to learn your toddler about inclusion and diversity from a young age, this book will be a good start.
View it on:
16. The Rhythm of The Rain – Grahame Baker-Smith
The Rhythm of The Rain is a beautifully illustrated book that follows a jar of water that was dumped in a pool by a young boy, named Isaac, while he was playing.
The book follows the jar as it travels from one water source to another, eventually making a journey around the world.
Not only is it a charming story, but it is a book to introduce children to the concept of the water cycle on Earth.
It’s educational and engaging, what more could you want for your toddler on a rainy day?
View it on:
Related post: Books about Food for Kids
17. SOAKED! – Abi Cushman
Last, but not least, is the story SOAKED! which my kindergarten students loved.
The story features a hula-hooping moose, a rabbit in a cashmere sweater, a badger with a bumblebee umbrella, and a very grumpy and wet bear.
This is not just a picture book, but a hilarious story that teaches young readers that fun is not dependent on the weather.
In fact, it is just as fun to be soaked!
View it on:
Like this post? Don’t forget to save it on Pinterest.
Final Thoughts on Books About Rain For Toddlers
So there you have it, the best books about rain for toddlers! I hope your little ones find these books as enjoyable and engaging as my little students did.
Have I missed any off my list? Let me know in the comments.
