Once Upon a Raindrop

by James Carter, illustrated by Kazuko Nomoto

Interest age: 6 to 8
Reading age: 7+

Published by Little Tiger Press, 2018

  • Non-fiction
  • Poetry and rhyme

About this book

Why is the moon so dry when the Earth has oceans and rivers and snow and ice? This rhyming and poetical picture book brilliantly introduces the concept of the water cycle and the value of water in our lives. From the possible origins of water on Earth and the formation of oceans, to the cycle of evaporation and precipitation (though without using these technical terms), the author uses simple but evocative language that summons the rushing, dripping, ever-changing movement of water and how vital it is in our everyday lives.

Perfect for sharing with young children eager to know a more about our world, it also makes a wonderful text for older readers, for example as a starting point for science and art-based activities, or to be turned into a sensory story. Look out for some of James Carter’s other brilliant non-fiction picture books too, Once Upon a Star and Once Upon a Rhythm.

About the author

After fifteen years of writing, performing and recording music (whilst doing a series of jobs from job centre interviewer to recruitment consultant), James Carter went off to Reading University to do a B.Ed degree in primary education and an MA in children's literature.

He is now an award/prize-winning poet, as well as a non-fiction and educational writer. He is the author of many popular and best-selling poetry titles. He travels all over the UK to give lively poetry/music performances and workshops. In the last seventeen years, he has visited well over 1000 schools, and performed at various prestigious literary festivals, including Cheltenham, Hay and Edinburgh.

James lives in Wallingford with his four guitars, three ukuleles, two daughters and one wife.

About the illustrator

Nomoco, also working under her full name Kazuko Nomoto, was born in Fukuoka, Japan and graduated from Osaka University of Arts, Japan, subsequently graduating from London College of Communication, and Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design. Nomoco has exhibited her work in solo and group exhibitions in London, Milan, Tokyo, Singapore, New York and Mexico City.

Nature and sound are her inspiration. She enjoys experimenting with various materials and craft-work in her works, especially with ink on paper and its organic movement. For the past few years, she has explored working with printmaking, such as silkscreen and lithography, mixed with ink drawings.  Nomoco’s enchanting illustrations appear across many platforms, including publishing, fashion, advertising, editorial and packaging.

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