Downpour: Splish! Splash! Ker-Splash! - Hardcover

by Yuko Ohnari (Author), Koshiro Hata (Illustrator), Emily Balistrieri (Translator)

● A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year!
★ "Spreads and text voice the energy and joy of perceiving a storm as a part of the world that's very much alive." Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "A joyful and refreshing multisensory experience." The Horn Book, starred review
● A 2026 USBBY Outstanding International Book
● A 2026 ALSC Notable Children's Book
● A 2026 Capitol Choices Book

A young boy celebrates a refreshing storm in this joyous picture book about experiencing with all your senses a cloudburst of rain on a hot summer day.

A boy looks up at the sky and smells the air as the first raindrops hit the ground. He listens as it begins to pour, observing all the symphony of sound this welcome downpour makes.

He feels the water droplets on his skin and sees little rivulets of water on the sidewalk. "Badadada" he hears as the rain hits his yellow umbrella, "Ker-sploosh" as he jumps in a puddle.

This boy uses all his senses to experience a refreshing summer storm. Koshiro Hata's illustrations revel in the joy of nature in Yuko Ohnari's new book featuring expressive onomatopoeia to sound out and enjoy. You'll definitely want to play outside the next time it rains.

Perfect for units on weather and senses--but also just a sweet and happy picture book to enjoy together.

Author Biography

Koshiro Hata and Yuko Ohnari are a husband-and-wife creative team behind several picture books published in Japan. Hata also works as a manga artist and writes essays and children's songs. They were both born in Osaka but now live in Tokyo. Emily Balistieri is an award-winning translator of children's books living and working in Tokyo, Japan.