Don't be Afraid to Drop! By Julia Cook

This has to be one of my favorite books of all time. My aunt gave this book to me after one of my softball games and the author Julia Cook wrote this in the front of the book, " Never underestimate the power of the words "I can." This book has had an impact on my life and with this book she makes her readers believe in their own gifts.

The illustrations are very unique in this book. My favorite part is when the dad raindrop is talking to his son raindrop about how many gifts he has to offer the world and there are actually gifts in the picture but instead of having presents inside of them these words are placed on top of the box: strength, friendship, knowledge, and courage. It shows that the greatest gifts in the world are not material items but the relationships we make and how we help others around us grow. Another part of the book I enjoy is when the important words are bolded, in a different color and are flowing through the illustrations instead of just in one spot every page. It is very interactive and shows emphasis on what is important.

I think it is interesting how Julia Cook relates the rain drops to people. Each person who reads or listens to this book can relate to what is happening to the story. It's an important part for a writer to catch his or her audience in an emotional or special part in their own personal lives and I believe Julia Cook does exactly that with this book.