One rainy day in the city, an eager little boy exclaims, “Rain!” Across town a grumpy man grumbles, “Rain.” In this endearing picture book, a rainy-day cityscape comes to life in vibrant, cut-paper-style artwork. The boy in his green frog hat splashes in puddles—“Hoppy, hoppy, hoppy!”—while the old man curses the “dang puddles.” Can the boy’s natural exuberance (and perhaps a cookie) cheer up the grouchy gentleman and turn the day around?

Ways to Welcomes is a sweet, timely picture book from writer Linda Ashman and illustrator Joey Chou about kindness and connection, ideal for schools and classrooms.

A welcome can be warm
Or cold,
Shy and quiet,
Big and bold.
An offering,
A smiling face,
That lights an unfamiliar place.
There’s lots of ways to show we care
and welcome friends from everywhere!

When everyone knows they’re welcome, the world is a better place—and you might just make a new friend. This sweet, timeless picture book about small acts of kindness in a big world is one that kids and parents are sure to reach for again and again.