It seems fitting that it's pouring with rain here at the moment because today is launch day for this lovely little book (and you can see our launch day interview with Joanna Gray just below this very post!). We were very fortunate to be sent a copy for review by Joanna herself and couldn't wait to find out all about The Little Raindrop as it's a book we've been keeping an eye on for quite some time.

Starting life in the clouds, the Little Raindrop races down to earth during a rainstorm, and we trace his journey from cloud to puddle, from puddle to stream, from stream to river and out to sea. Charlotte very quickly worked out that this engaging story was about the water cycle. Told in a such a delightful way that it has quite a broad range of appeal, younger children will appreciate the (pardon the pun) 'flow' of the lilting story and the journey Little Raindrop takes.

For older children (particularly Charlotte's age group) it becomes a book that triggers discussions and investigations - where does our water come from? What happens to the rain, and how does the cycle continue round and round?

For a first book it's impressive and addictive stuff (in a week when we've had a lot of books in our pile, it's been regularly demanded by Charlotte - always a good sign). Parents will love it as it's just the right length for a pre-bedtime book, and it's a nice easy read thanks to Joanna's writing style and ability to make a tale flow as easily as little raindrop's progress downstream.

Grab The Little Raindrop and snuggle down - no matter what the weather!

Charlotte's best bit: The Raindrop flowing through rivers and streams, she loved tracing his path with her finger and loved the bit where he flies through the rainbow and takes on the rainbow hues

Daddy's favourite bit: A great book for a range of ages and a stunning debut. Well done Joanna!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Joanna / Top That! Publishing)

Joanna Gray and her Children's Picture Book debut "The Little Raindrop" - Awesome smile, Joanna!

Ever since a rather mysterious little raindrop started appearing in our Twitter feed we've wondered who it was and what it was all about. Now we know! Welcome to first time author Joanna Gray as she stops by ReadItDaddy for an interview and to talk about her debut, "The Little Raindrop" from Top That! Publishing, which is out today, Hooray!


ReadItDaddy: Congratulations on your first book "The Little Raindrop" coming from Top That on March 1st. Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Joanna: I live in Leeds with my husband, our three children; Nathan (6), Will (4) and Karin (4) – yes they are twins, and our dog, Buster. I work in the Head Office of a Bank where my day job is analysing numbers. It is about as far away from what people expect from an author as possible!

I’m a very energetic, happy person and I love to live life to the full. I love spending time with my family and friends, usually outside running around with the children having fun.

When I’m not being a Mum, working in my day job, or writing, I like to read. I have also recently become quite addicted to Twitter (Yep, us too :)


ReadItDaddy: What was the inspiration for "The Little Raindrop" ? (apart from the - er - interesting weather we've had recently :)

Joanna: Ever since I was a little girl I’ve wanted to write a book but as I grew up and became more mathematically focussed I put that dream aside. However, after having my eldest son and spending countless hours enjoying reading books to him I began to start thinking about writing again. The Little Raindrop was an idea that came to me as I was trying to get to sleep one night. I had to get out of bed and write it all down before I could get to sleep.


ReaditDaddy: We're a bit green when it comes to how books come together but are fascinated by the ties between author, illustrator and publisher. How closely did you get to work with Top That and Dubravka Kolanovic (the illustrator) while the book was in the early stages before going to print?

Joanna: I didn’t at all. I had done my research, and I knew that first time authors very rarely have any say in the illustrator of their book, unless they have arranged it themselves first and submitted the finished book to the publisher. I was quite nervous seeing The Little Raindrop pictures for the first time, but Dubravka has done such an amazing job and Little Raindrop is everything I hoped he would be.

Working with Top That! around the promotion of the Little Raindrop has been a fantastic experience. They are really helpful and have offered me great support for my various ideas.


ReadItDaddy: Tell us a little bit about your influences - what children's books, authors and illustrators do you admire?

Joanna: I am a huge Julia Donaldson fan. I think my favourite of her books is “Tiddler, The Story Telling Fish”, although “Night Monkey Day Monkey” is also really good. I always enjoy reading the Little Wombat books by Angela McAllister, and my children love Giles Andreae’s “Morris the Mankiest Monster”. I admire him very much, but that particular book makes me feel quite ill, it is that well written and illustrated!

When it comes to illustrations I have quite a traditional taste. One of my favourite pictures from a book is drawn by Caroline Pedler in “Bedtime for Little Bears!”. I love the soft pastel drawings, so Top That!’s choice of Dubravka as The Little Raindrop’s illustrator fit in extremely well with my ideas of how I wanted the book to look.


Charlotte: Who is your favourite Princess? (Mine's Snow White but I like Mulan too!)


Joanna: That’s a tough question. I think I will have to say Belle, but Rapunzel is a close second.


Charlotte: Do you have any pets? I love Rabbits and Guinea Pigs but mummy and daddy won't let me have one (yet!)

Joanna: We have a dog called Buster. He is a mongrel, and he is 10 years old. He’s a very special part of our family, and we love to take him on long walks in the woods. He isn’t very good at hide and seek though, he usually stands next to me when I’m hiding and barks at me to tell me to throw his ball for him!

Our thanks to Joanna Gray and Top That! Publishing for the interview opportunity! "The Little Raindrop" is out today.  Look out for our full review (just above this post!)