April seems to have brought all its R’s along—rain, rainbows, rhythm, reads, and reflection. Today’s prompt sent me wandering through the rickrack of names I’ve worn over time, while my bookish side leaned into cozy rainy-day reads. From poetry to puddles to picture books, this post gathers all things “R” into one rain-kissed bundle.
This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Thank you for your support. Please see the full disclosure for more information. I only recommend products I definitely would (or have already) use myself
Raconteur of Names
Today’s NaPoWriMo prompt is inspired by Monika Kumar’s poem, “Names and Nicknames,” which explores how names carry both intimacy and identity. The challenge: to write a poem reflecting on our own names—or those of a person, place, or thing.
The Rickrack of Names
My dad, he named me Guddi
a name meaning doll
that carries more than it says
My grandpa bestowed me
with the name of a goddess
not really a nickname, but a tradition;
He – one of only two who called me that
some names are remembered only in certain voices
There are those who bridge the gap
between nickname
and not
they code-switch
(rejiggering me, almost)
each remembering a different version of me
Speaking of nicknames—
the small rickrack of names
stitched along the edges of me—
hubby and I
have terms of endearment that rhyme with ‘pie’
but sometimes they slip out publicly
My name would have been different
if I were named for my birth-star
I would have been among the first
to head home during oral exams
instead of the long wait till the end
with my name starting with V—
I was one of only three
grateful, then,
for the Vijays and Waheeds
who waited with me
at the tail end of the alphabet
~ Vidya @ LadyInReadWrites.com
- Rejigger — to change or rearrange in a new or different way, especially by the use of techniques not always considered ethical (verb)
- Rickrack — a narrow, zigzag braid or ribbon used as a trimming on clothing, linens, etc.(noun)
- Raconteur
Rrrreads
Rap It Up! by Carole Boston Weatherford & Jeffery Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Ernel Martinez (Poetry, 4 – 8 years)
Rings of Heartwood by Molly Beth Griffin, illustrated by Claudia McGehee (Poetry, 4 – 8 years)
Rainy Day Reads
This week’s prompt for Top Ten Tuesday is: April Showers.
The Rhythm of the Rain written and illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith (3-7).
A lyrical journey of a water droplet traveling through nature’s water cycle from raindrop to river to cloud.
The Pink Umbrella by Amélie Callot and illustrated by Geneviève Godbout (4–8).
A rainy-day mix-up leads to an unexpected act of kindness in this sweet, quietly magical story.
Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse, illustrated by Jon J Muth (4-8).
City kids eagerly await and joyfully dance through a long-awaited summer rainstorm.
Water Can Be… by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Violeta Dabija (3-6).
A poetic exploration of water’s many forms, from raindrops and rivers to steam and ice.
Rain! by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Christian Robinson (2-6).
A little boy and his mama embrace rainy day fun, splashing through puddles with pure delight.
Tap Tap Boom Boom by Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (3-7).
City dwellers scramble for shelter when thunder rumbles and a sudden storm breaks overhead.
Thunder Cake by written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco (4-8).
Grandma cleverly distracts her granddaughter’s thunderstorm fears by racing to bake a special cake.
The Rain Came Down written and illustrated by David Shannon (3-7).
Misunderstandings escalate hilariously when rain sends everyone into grumpy conflicts.
Listen to the Rain by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by James Endicott (4-8).
A poetic symphony celebrates rain’s many sounds, from gentle drips to roaring downpours.
Singing in the Rain written and illustrated by Tim Hopgood (4-8)
A joyful picture book adaptation of the classic song.
Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Halls, illustrated by David Litchfield (4-8).
A hopeful tale of a stormy, gray world with a brave little girl and her animal friends.
Rain Reigns
Bonus Reads
- Rain Reign – Ann M. Martin
- Rules of Rain – Leah Scheier
- Shouting at the Rain – Lynda Mullaly Hunt
And Now, the End of This Post
Dear reader, what about you—do you have a nickname that feels like a secret version of yourself? And while we’re at it, what’s your favorite rainy-day read?
