Book Review: Water Cycle: Water Play Series, Book 1

The Water Cycle: Water Play Series, Book 1

written by Mayra Clavani

Illustrated by Alexander Morris

Follow the water droplets in their journey from the clouds to the earth and back to the clouds again. Written in a lyrical style, the book takes a new angle on the water cycle by showing the feelings it evokes in people. Suggested age for readers: 4-8

Water Cycle is a delightful Children’s Book that teaches young minds about the water cycle in a fun, rhyming way. The story is a creative way to learn all about where the water droplets go.  Mayra has taken a science lesson that we sometimes take for granted and breaks it down into easy to remember steps.  This fun book is appropriate for children ages 3 to 8.  There are a few harder words, but those are in bold and are defined at the end of the book.

Mayra’s message in Water Cycle is presented in a clear and fun manner.  Each part of the water cycle is not only illustrated in colorful pictures, but each part has a different emotion.  For example, when children learn about floods, they not only hear facts about the flood, they answer questions about the emotions that the flood brings.  While the Mother and her children are scared and worried in the flood illustrations,  the raindrops are happy to leave the cloud and fall to the ground.  Some pages even have multiple emotions on one page. Living in New England, the snow page is my favorite.  The bird is freezing, wearing a cute green hat standing next to his flaming nest.  The boy and his dog are thrilled to be playing in the snow.  The snowman gives both thumbs up as well!

The illustrations are very colorful, detailed and full of emotions.  This is not a book to read from a distance to a large group of kids.  The kids will all want to see the smiley faces on the raindrops up close! The book wouldn’t be the same without them.

The activities section at the end of the book reinforces what children have  just learned.  There is a fun word search- yes I did it already before my son could. There is also a glossary page displayed as a matching activity.  Such a great way to reinforce those new words.

I highly recommend this book to parents, teachers or child care providers for children ages 3 to 8.  I’ve never had so much fun reading a rhyming book about water!

 

 

About the author:

Award-winning author Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. In addition, she is co-editor of Voice in the Dark ezine and a reviewer for The New York Journal of Books, Blogcritics Magazine‘s “Kiddie Corner,” and SimplyCharly.com. She’s had over 300 reviews, interviews, stories, and articles published in print and online. Mayra is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Children’s Writer’s Coaching Club. Visit her website at www.MayrasSecretBookcase.com. 

Buy The Water Cycle: Water Play Series Book 1 at Amazon!

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