Theological Conversation Partners: One small person is able to transform the spirits of others, just by sharing his enthusiasm and joy at being alive. Although the author and artist focus on the different outlooks of an old, crotchety man and a young exuberant boy, they do not typecast age and youth, as there are also happy elderly people and unhappy babies and young people in the crowd scenes on the streets of the city. How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story? This is a multi-cultural urban setting. This would be a wonderful book for children and adults to pore over together, looking at people’s faces, wondering together what the characters are thinking and feeling. Robinson’s collage and paint illustrations bring rich character development to this simple story. On the facing page the little boy’s reaction to the same day of rain is “Ribbit!” as he jumps in a puddle. Bellhops at respective apartment houses wish their departing residents a good morning. Literary elements at work in the story : The minimalist text in this story consists entirely of two- to five-word bits of dialogue. A collision of these two worldviews in a restaurant leads to a change of heart for one. A grumpy old man just as surely spreads his glum irritation throughout the streets of the same city. Summary: An irrepressible little boy in a frog hat lifts the spirits of everyone he meets on a very rainy day.
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