Columnist Explores Classic Wordless Picture Book 'Rainy Day' and Childhood Joy
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong educator and editor Wong Kwok-hin revisits the classic wordless picture book 'Rainy Day' in a recent column, reflecting on how rain brings simple joys to children despite adults' concerns about getting wet . The book, created by Peter, depicts two siblings playing freely in a backyard during a storm, a stark contrast to how many Hong Kong parents would react by keeping children indoors . Wong shares that his own son also loves rainy days because he can jump in puddles, showing how the joy of rain transcends generations .
Key Points
- The book 'Rainy Day' by Peter is a classic wordless picture book that Wong reviewed while preparing for a lecture in the past year
- The story follows two siblings who swap their indoor clothes for raincoats and use a large umbrella to play in the garden
- The children's activities include observing surroundings, jumping in puddles, shaking water droplets from plants, feeding ducks, and picking flowers
- Wong contrasts this book with Osawa Daihachi's 'Umbrella,' noting both are wordless picture books about rain but convey different themes
- Wong, who previously worked as deputy store manager at a picture book shop, now operates the 'Little Flame Picture Book House' Facebook page
Why It Matters
This piece resonates with Hong Kong parents who often restrict children's outdoor activities during wet weather, reminding readers that experiencing rain is an essential part of childhood that builds lasting memories . In a city where weather frequently disrupts daily life, the book's message encourages families to embrace nature's elements rather than view them as obstacles .
Additional Reflections
Wong admits that while he once claimed to love rainy days in his youth—romanticizing how rain adds melancholy to plants and how storms echo loneliness—that was merely emotional posturing typical of adolescence . His candid self-reflection shows how childhood's unfiltered appreciation for rain often gives way to adult concerns about practicality and comfort . When his son casually expressed his desire for rain boots after seeing his friends wear them, Wong recognized the authentic, uncomplicated nature of children's desires compared to adults' overthinking .
This piece resonates with Hong Kong parents who often restrict children's outdoor activities during wet weather, reminding readers that experiencing rain is an essential part of childhood that builds lasting memories . In a city where weather frequently disrupts daily life, the book's message encourages families to embrace nature's elements rather than view them as obstacles .
Additional Reflections
Wong admits that while he once claimed to love rainy days in his youth—romanticizing how rain adds melancholy to plants and how storms echo loneliness—that was merely emotional posturing typical of adolescence . His candid self-reflection shows how childhood's unfiltered appreciation for rain often gives way to adult concerns about practicality and comfort . When his son casually expressed his desire for rain boots after seeing his friends wear them, Wong recognized the authentic, uncomplicated nature of children's desires compared to adults' overthinking .