The hand-drawn illustrations by Forrest Dickison are a standout feature of this book.

Forrest Dickison wanted them to reflect the vibrance of a rainy day, not as dull but "alive with color and imagination."

Parents and kids alike agree: "Every page is like a piece of art." Forrest's drawings encourage children to linger on each page, absorbing all the details. Another parent said, “We spent as much time looking at the pictures as we did reading the words.”

Readers may encounter two out of 32 major themes.

First, Crispin's Rainy Day captures the magic of everyday family life by turning a backyard puddle into a doorway to a cosmic adventure. One reviewer mentioned, "It teaches my kids to embrace adventure—even on a rainy day." See page 2.

Second, the story beautifully reflects the simple friction between men and women, siblings and friends, especially Crispin’s irritation at his sister, Rose. There's a real-life tension between siblings that moms and dads will recognize. See page 1.

It’s a "tiny seed version" of the challenges men and women will face, where male-female dynamics and our desires collide with our duties. Ultimately, the story shows that even the most ordinary places—like a rainy backyard—can spark adventure and teach us how to navigate our missions in life without failing our crew members.

On the Stories Are Soul Food podcast, the author and publisher discuss Crispin's Rainy Day as a tale where children will find themselves "convicted, but not in a Sunday school kind of way." Find these themes developed and more in the other 30 pages.

Absolutely! Many customers say this book has become part of their nightly routine. One review mentioned, “This is our favorite bedtime book. The soothing tone is perfect for winding down after a busy day.” And that's after facing giant Octopi and sailing off to Pirate's Doom. But it all starts off with one of those quiet, rainy days with enough rain to fill a puddle.

Absolutely. The sibling dynamic between Crispin and Rose is central to the story. It’s a real-life tension between siblings—a little friction, but relatable and funny. One reviewer mentioned how their children "reenact Crispin’s adventures together", and one heroic father says "many things have become lightning blades and my back can't handle another dragon dog pile."

Another family found "My daughter, who is six, liked Rose's character and the story was a good example for her not to be controlling when she plays with her brother, who is three."

Crispin's Rainy Day has been enjoyed by a wide range of ages!

One parent mentioned, "My 3-year-old and 7-year-old both adore this story." The vivid illustrations and engaging narrative make it perfect for children ages 3 to 8, but many families find it’s a book that “even adults love.”

On the younger end, one dad said "Rose is a great example of joy and contentment in all circumstances. When my 20 month old daughter starts to whine, my first response is to say, 'no time to…' and she says 'pout!'"

Yes. Crispin's Rainy Day is not a pill—it’s a meal. A story that feeds imagination.

Readers will encounter the wild outdoors, land, sea, and sky—even when the weather is less than perfect. A parent noted, “It made my kids excited to go out and play, even on rainy days.” The story is a great motivator for turning a gloomy day into an opportunity for fun and exploration.

Yes, but not in the way you’d expect.

Rose "isn’t the hero who defeats the dragon", though she won't sweat picking her own fire flowers off Lava Peak—instead, she has the quiet strength of someone with her own mission. In the Stories Are Soul Food podcast, Forrest Dickison explains that Rose is "the immovable object" that challenges Crispin to rethink his own mission.

Some readers might find her frustrating at first, just as Crispin does. But the story intentionally mirrors real sibling dynamics, where that tension between siblings, boys and girls, ultimately leads to growth.

The artwork started with a simple vision: "I liked the image of a boy disappearing through a puddle. I wanted a small-scale backyard adventure, which obviously didn't stay small scale" says the Forrest Dickison.

He was drawn to the contrast of a "pop of yellow" against the blues and greens of a rainy day (hint: judge our book by the cover). This color palette became key to the book’s visual identity, with Forrest likening it to "sunlight breaking through after a storm," which we get lots of on the Palouse. Customers love the artwork, describing it "like a piece of art" on every page.

This is a book your kids will just stare at and find new things to love again and again.

At just 32 pages, Crispin's Rainy Day strikes a perfect balance between being engaging and concise. Several parents have commented that, "The story is just the right length for a single sitting," making it ideal for both bedtime and story breaks during the day.

The book is designed for repeated readings by little hands. Parents appreciate that “it holds up well,” especially when it becomes a family favorite. Some noted that it “survives daily use,” making it a good long-term addition to any home library.

No promises it will survive a giant Octopus attack, but with Crispin on the cover it just might.