When the Rain Comes - by Alma Fullerton

About the Book

Timid, young Malini finds unexpected courage when her Sri Lankan community's rice crop is threatened. A USBBY Outstanding International Book, now in a high-quality paperback format.

Book Synopsis

"Although
set in faraway Sri Lanka, Fullerton's rhythmic tale holds a universal message:
that even the smallest and youngest among us can summon up the courage to face,
and overcome, the most gargantuan challenges."--Kirkus ★ Starred Review

It
is time to plant the rice crop in Malini's Sri Lankan community, and the little
girl is both excited and nervous to help for the first time. What if she does
it wrong? Will she be responsible if the crop fails? When the oxcart rumbles in
loaded with seedlings, she reluctantly agrees to watch the big, imposing animal
while the driver takes a break. Suddenly, the skies go dark with monsoon rain.
A flash flood pours down the road, separating Malini from the driver and her
family. They are shouting for her to run for higher ground, but what about the
rice? Summoning courage she never dreamed she possessed, Malini resolves to
save ox, cart, and seedlings, no matter what it takes.

Award-winning
author Alma Fullerton tells Malini's story in expressive free verse that
vibrates with emotion and energy. The moods of Sri Lanka's rainy season come
alive as Kim La Fave, illustrator of the award-winning Shin Chi's Canoe, uses a fresh style that is both contemporary and
impressionistic to depict the courage of one little girl facing the power of a
monsoon.

"A powerful portrait of a child's bravery and perseverance."--The
Horn Book Magazine

"La Fave's richly colored illustrations dramatically
and effectively convey the contrast between the calm, sunny day and the
intensity of the storm."--School Library Journal

Review Quotes

Praise for When the Rain Comes

2018 ALA Children's Notable Books Discussion List selection

2018 South Asia Book Award Highly Commended Book

2018 USBBY Outstanding International Books List - Grades PreK-2 selection

2017 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens Starred Selection

2017 School Library Journal blogger Betsy Bird's "2017 Picture Books" selection

2016 School Library Journal blogger Betsy Bird's "2017 Books I'm Really Looking Forward To" selection

2016 Resource Links "The Year's Best" selection

2024 Children's Book Council "January Hot Off the Press" Feature

"Fullerton's free verse dances across the page, urging readers forward through the narrative...And LaFave's mood-appropriate colors, which range from the joyful sorbet hues of Malini's village to the brooding blues and grays of the monsoon, complete the package. A beautiful introduction to life and culture on a little-known island nation--and a delightful read whether for the first or the 100th time."--Kirkus Reviews

"Endnotes explain the realities of child labor, poverty, and a dependence on rice as a staple crop in Sri Lanka, and the book as a whole offers a powerful portrait of a child's bravery and perseverance."--The Hornbook Magazine

"It's a gratifying portrait of a child discovering her own strength: Malini, so nervous about learning to plant rice, is capable of far greater feats."--Publishers Weekly

"Large-scale illustrations highlight the sudden change from sunshine to rain, with first vertical and then diagonal streaks through the colors demonstrating the rain's ferocity. Malini's anxiety about helping with the planting and the sense of accomplishment she feels in saving the rice come through clearly in her facial expressions."--Booklist

"La Fave's richly colored illustrations dramatically and effectively convey the contrast between the calm, sunny day and the intensity of the storm. Fullerton's writing is simple and straightforward, making use of onomatopoeia and poetic repetition..."--School Library Journal

"Filled with ear-pleasing rhythms and onomatopoeia, Alma Fullerton's vivacious free verse paints Malini's character with deft strokes, and stirringly describes the action. Kim La Fave's color-splashed illustrations set the scene and create a strong sense of motion...When the Rain Comes provides a vivid glimpse at life on an island country in Asia, as well as a satisfying look at a child who discovers the inner fortitude needed to overcome difficult circumstances."--School Library Journal collection "Reading Around the World Picture Books"

"A fascinating slice of Southeast Asian life, the tempo and suspense build as the winds and rain whoosh and boom, crack and howl."--Foreword Magazine

"Rendered in pencil and watercolor, the illustrations depict the drama and danger of the wind, driving rain, and Malini's effort to protect the rice seedlings and soothe the ox."--ILA Literacy Daily, "Cultural Diversity in Children's and Young Adult Literature"

"This moving story of courage from award-winning author Alma Fullerton is told in lyrical free-verse and the sounds of the impending storm and Malini's narrow escape with the rice cart come alive through onomatopoeic description. Kim La Fave's dream-like illustrations imbue Sri Lankan life with a sense of magic....An inspiring story beautifully told, When the Rain Comes would be an enriching addition to most school library collections."--Resource Links

"Fullerton introduces children to a culture different from their own in a way that is engaging and full of relatable emotions....LaFave demonstrates a mastery of colour, choosing a rich palate of purples and blues to depict the storm and creating depth with interesting colour blocking...the images are unique and beautiful."--CM Magazine

"Poignantly written, When The Rain Comes provides insight into the diversity of life through Malini's weighty struggle to ensure prosperity for her community in the coming year."--Brigham Young University, Children's Book & Media Reviews

"What a beautiful book about such a terrible phenomenon!...The young protagonist in this picturebook has some real spunk and AGENCY. I think this is a wonderful book to share with young people, showing Malini's responsibility but also the danger of flooding."--Worlds of Words

"[Alma Fullerton] successfully conjures up the sights and especially the sounds of a day in Sri Lanka...[Kim La Fave] convincingly whips up the wind and slashes rain across the page to convey the frightening immediacy of a flash flood. Young readers will identify with Malini's trepidation in facing her new task, and they will cheer for her as she overcomes her own fear to save the day. When the Rain Comes is an engaging story in its own right but could also be used in a classroom setting to spark interest in Sri Lanka, its people, culture, geography, and climate."--Canadian Children's BookNews

"Free verse captures the sounds, sights, and experiences of Malini's first job."--Midwest Book Review

"This is a great book to have in a library that fosters multi-culturalism. The story is engaging and children will learn about the culture of Sri Lanka through this book."--Youth Services Book Review

"Alma Fullerton's rhythmic lines and sound scape of life and weather...carr[y] the story, along with Kim La Fave's stirring illustrations. From the brightly-coloured warmth of Malini's home life to the tumultuous gloominess of the storm of flashing water, wind and sound, Kim La Fave contrasts the two realities, echoing Alma Fullerton's cheerful and fearful situations....When the Rain Comes is a resoundingly effective addition to our diverse young CanLit collections..."--CanLit for LittleCanadians

"The illustrations and text in this book work really well together to highlight Malini's feelings and show the importance of rice to her village and the dangers of a monsoon. The back of the book tells a little bit more about Sri Lanka and how reliant the country's population is on rice."--Musings of a YA Reader

"[A] great way to introduce one of the many Asian cultures to our children so as to build in them respect and admiration for other nationalities and ways of life. I don't think my son has ever seen an ox before....This opened up a conversation about ox and how prevalent they are in some countries for agriculture. So although fiction, this book can be used as an educational tool as well. An excellent addition to any home and school library."--Library of Clean Reads

"Kim LaFave masterfully captures every nuance of the story through use of color and motion. They fully support the mood created by Ms. Fullerton's telling free verse text."--Sal's Fiction Addiction

"My heart started racing and I could feel Malini, and the ox's, anxiety rise and settle down. A beautiful book."--Book Time

"Unusual setting, striking illustrations, and an additional note telling more about Sri Lanka."--Orange Marmalade

"The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and, surprisingly, lyrical. The writing is, too, but even without words, this book would still be fairly easy to understand as well as moving."--Hit or Miss Books

About the Author

Alma Fullerton was first known for her award-winning free-verse novels for
juvenile and young-adult readers, including the Governor General's
Award-nominated Libertad. Since then, her picture books
about children around the world have also won national and international
awards, including a White Ravens Choice and a Bank Street Best Book for A
Good Trade, and a USBBY Outstanding International Book for When
the Rain Comes. Most recently, No More Plastic! was
an honor book for the Green Earth Book Award and a finalist for both the OLA
Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award and the SYRCA Shining Willow Award. Alma
lives in Prince Edward Island with her husband and her service dog, Gibson.

Kim La Fave is a multi-award-winning illustrator and
designer in paint, pencils, or digital media. His honors include the Governor
General's Literary Award for Illustration, the TD Canadian Children's
Literature Award, the Ruth Schwartz Children's Book Award, and the Amelia
Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award. A graduate of the Alberta College of
Art, Kim also honed his skills in Toronto and New York before returning to
British Columbia where he now lives with his wife and family.