Seven Little Raindrops by Bill Shaul

In this delightful story written for the pre-K to second grade reader, seven little raindrops answer the timeless question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

This story is quaint, cute, and has fantastic illustrations drawn by Peggy Shaul. The thing that sets it apart from other books that might pose this same question, is that each raindrop asked returns with an answer that isn't just about dreams for themselves, but also how they might contribute to the community when they get bigger. The raindrops choices are about making the lives of others better, rather than focused on a personal reward.

The biggest take-away is a gentle acknowledgement that sometimes, when the raindrops aren't sure how their small contribution might impact the world, they accept that perhaps there is a destiny waiting for them that they don't know about... and being ready for that moment of discovery might just be the best choice.

Although this is a Christian inspired book, I can certainly see how parents of many different religions might read it to their children, as the messages of community service, gentle acceptance, and trust are universal. I recommend this book as an addition to any child's read aloud time.