By Mary Auld
Illustrations by Lou Baker Smith
Ages: 3-6
Red Comet Press
Review by Heidi Frankel
This beautifully written book captivates readers from the very first line: “I am a small sparkling raindrop—the first to fall from my cloud.
The tiny, sparkling raindrop begins its journey from that first drop—quenching insects and animals, cascading down the mountainside, shaping gullies, and forming waterfalls. It flows into the mighty Mekong River, eventually reaching the vast South China Sea. Along the way, it highlights how water shapes the landscapes, sustains life, and powers communities through hydroelectricity.
This refreshing story explores the water cycle and its role in shaping the world around us. Young readers will discover how clean, healthy rivers are essential to people, wildlife, and ecosystems—including the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, which faces threats from overfishing and pollution.
It is written on two levels, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. The first-person narrative is simple enough for beginners, while the detailed captions provide valuable information for more confident readers eager to explore environmental science.
Interactive elements make this book even more engaging. At the end of the story, a large fold-out map provides a visual journey of the water cycle, and an I-Spy game invites children to revisit the pages and search for animals throughout the book.
As part of the Start Small, Think Big series, “Small Sparkling Raindrops” stands out as a title that sparks curiosity about nature and conservation. Mary Auld’s lyrical text and Lou Baker Smith’s vibrant illustrations perfectly convey how a single raindrop shapes our world.
This book embraces its eco-friendly message, using FSC-certified paper from sustainable forests.
