Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

This is a legitimate classic that's earned its place on every preschool and kindergarten bookshelf. The premise is so simple and so brilliant that it's spawned decades of imaginative play, art projects, and 'what if' conversations.

Yes, the text is a bit long-winded by today's standards—Judi Barrett takes her time describing the escalating food weather in loving detail. But that's actually part of the charm. The rhythm is almost hypnotic as a bedtime story, and the vocabulary is rich without being precious.

Ron Barrett's illustrations are where this book really shines. They're detailed, funny, and perfectly deadpan—the townspeople going about their business with umbrellas to catch orange juice and sleds to navigate maple syrup floods. Kids will pore over these pages finding new details every time.

At 40+ years old, this book hasn't aged a day. The humor is timeless, the imagination is boundless, and it's still one of the best 'what if' books ever written for young kids. A must-have.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 4-8 as a read-aloud, with the sweet spot around 5-7 when kids can appreciate both the absurdity and the narrative arc. Younger kids will love the pictures even if they zone out during the text. By 9-10, most kids have moved on unless they're reading it to younger siblings.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

92

A gentle, absurdist story about a town dealing with increasingly problematic weather. The tone is warm and playful, the stakes are real but never scary, and the resolution involves community cooperation and problem-solving. The grandfather-grandchildren framing device adds emotional warmth.

Imaginative

96

This is pure imagination fuel. The premise—weather that delivers food instead of precipitation—is delightfully absurd and instantly sparks 'what if' thinking. Ron Barrett's detailed illustrations are packed with visual gags and quirky details that reward repeated readings. The escalation from pleasant food weather to catastrophic hamburger storms is both hilarious and creative.

Safe

98

Completely safe for young readers. No violence, scary content, or inappropriate themes. The 'disaster' is comedic rather than frightening—giant pancakes and oversized tomatoes are the worst of it. Common Sense Media rates it 4+ with only a note about 'rambling text' for younger listeners.

Enriching

85

Strong on vocabulary (the text is rich and descriptive, though 'rambling' per CSM), cause-and-effect thinking, and problem-solving. The story subtly introduces concepts of environmental change, community response to crisis, and adaptation. The bedtime-story framing encourages imagination. Not deeply educational, but genuinely thought-provoking for its age range.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

One of those rare picture books that's genuinely funny for adults too—the absurdist premise and detailed illustrations make it endlessly re-readable
Sparks incredible imaginative play and storytelling—kids will spend hours inventing their own food-weather scenarios
The vocabulary is rich and the pacing is leisurely, which is actually great for building attention span and language skills
Ron Barrett's illustrations are packed with visual jokes and details you'll catch on the tenth read
A gentle introduction to cause-and-effect, environmental change, and community problem-solving wrapped in pure silliness

⚠

What to Watch For

The text is wordier than modern picture books—younger kids (3-4) might need it broken up or summarized, though the pictures tell the story beautifully
Some kids might get briefly worried about the 'disaster' escalation, but it's played for laughs and resolved happily

Conversation Starters

"If you could pick the weather for tomorrow, what food would you want to rain down?"
"Why do you think the food kept getting bigger and bigger? What would you have done to fix it?"
"What's the silliest food storm you can imagine? What would be the messiest?"
"The people in Chewandswallow had to leave their town. Where do you think they went, and what do you think they ate there?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs