The Power of Pure Nonsense
In a world where every kids' book feels like it's trying to teach a lesson about sharing or potty training, Rain Makes Applesauce is a breath of fresh, weird air. Julian Scheer and Marvin Bileck created something in 1964 that feels like it was whispered from a dream. It’s a series of non-sequiturs—'The stars are made of lemon juice' or 'Monkeys go to bed in the garden'—each followed by the grounding, rhythmic refrain that rain makes applesauce.
Why the 'Nonsense' Matters
From a literacy perspective, this isn't just filler. When you read this to a child, you're working on the language comprehension half of the reading rope. You’re exposing them to complex syntax, rich vocabulary, and the idea that language can be used for artistic effect, not just for relaying facts. Kids who 'get' the joke in Rain Makes Applesauce are developing a sophisticated sense of irony and humor.
The Art of the Hunt
The illustrations are the real star here. Bileck’s work is incredibly fine-lined and detailed. You can't just flip the pages; you have to linger. There are tiny characters, strange structures, and hidden details tucked into every corner of the spreads. It’s the kind of book that keeps a kid quiet on your lap because they’re busy scanning the page for the tenth time to see what they missed.
If your kid is used to the high-contrast, minimalist style of modern board books, this will be a change of pace. It’s more like an antique tapestry than a cartoon. But for the right kid—the one who likes to ask 'why?' and 'what's that?'—it’s a goldmine.
