I’m super excited to be able to reveal the cover of my forthcoming book, IT’S RAINING BATS & FROGS, today! The illustrator, Steven Henry, has done a fantastic job of bringing this entire book to life, but the cover alone, is pure magic—in more ways than one.
But before I reveal this magical cover, I want to share with you the story of how BATS & FROGS came about…
As you can see from the picture below, I love mucking about in the rain. I go out in the rain any chance I get. In fact, I love rain so much that one of my daughters’ middle names is ‘Raine’. Except we spell it with an ‘e’ at the end, which gives her name a completely different meaning. However, I wanted to name her ‘Rain.’ But that’s another story. Suffice it to say that I find rain magical too, just like my book cover.
Singing in the Rain
It was while I was out walking in the rain that I got the idea for IT’S RAINING BATS & FROGS. I’d decided I wanted to write a book about a witch, but I had no idea where to take my character from there. So I went out for a stroll in the rain to clear my head. And the more I walked, the harder the rain began to fall. Soon it was pouring that heavy kind of rain when people say “it’s raining cats and dogs”. Except this was to be a book about a witch, so it had to rain bats and frogs instead. As my idea formed, I thought of another saying, “It’s raining on my parade.” Bingo! I had the rest of my idea. I’d write about a witch parade that was being rained on and how the rain was making the witches miserable. I dashed home to write it down.
Here’s the book blurb that tells you more:
Delia has been looking forward all year to flying in the annual Halloween Parade. But parade day brings heavy rain. So, Delia takes action. Using her best magic, Delia changes the rain to cats and dogs. But that doesn’t work too well! Then hats and clogs. That doesn’t work, either! Each new type of rain brings a new set of problems. How can Delia save the day?
And now for the cover reveal and the giveaway:
One lucky winner will win a $20 USD Amazon gift card (or a £15 GBP card, depending on where you live)—just fill in the Rafflecopter by 20 February. There will be a further giveaway on Goodreads starting on 11 August, when the book comes out. If you want to mark it to read now, here’s the link.
Good luck and thanks for reading! And a big thank you also to Steven Henry, my agent, Kathleen Rushall, and all the team at Feiwel & Friends!
So interesting to read where the idea for this book came from. Great cover. Can’t wait to see the rest of this book.
In answer to the question: I’d like to make it rain … rats and hogs!
Thanks, Dana! Now that would be a rain and a half! Rats and hogs crossed Delia’s mind at one point too.
It’s raining hooks and books! Fantastic cover and premise. Good luck!
I wish it would rain hooks and books too–just as long as those hooks were good story lines and I could catch a few. Cheers, Chitra!
If I was a witch like Delia I would make it rain food for the hungry people of the world.
That is a rain that shouldn’t make anyone miserable. I like it, Rita!
Boots and flutes (for the benefit of those wanting to sing in the rain!)
Yay to some musical accompaniment while singing in the rain! Great idea, Janet!
My witch would have practical hats and togs.
I, on the other hand, would opt for chocolate!
Yum, Sarah! Why not chocolate hats and togs and get the best of both worlds–Delia could always wave her want to ensure the chocolate doesn’t melt. 🙂
This is gonna be the cutest book! How about oboes and hobos?
Ha! Now that’s a rhyme I’ve not seen before. More musical accompaniment–I like it, Sherri!
Love your cover, Rebecca! And I love this story 😉 Can’t wait to have a copy in my hands. How about bears in chairs? That would be some pretty heavy rain!
Very heavy rain indeed–but think of how fun those illustrations would be! Love it! Thanks, Penny, it wouldn’t be half as good without your input on it. I still have your crit from 2011.
Gosh, I loved both the inspiration for the story and this fabulous cover!Jo
Thanks, Joanna! Steven Henry and Feiwel & Friends get all the credit for the cover. I love what they’ve done with it!
Thanks for the kind words, Rebecca, it was a privilege to work with such a wonderful manuscript. The moment I read it I started “seeing” Delia and her predicaments and I knew I wanted to be the illustrator. Such a charming premise, and the way you’ve woven an important lesson into this whimsical tale is masterful.
I’d say more, but I don’t want to give anything away. Can’t wait for August! : )
Thank you for the kind words, too. The privilege was all mine, Steven, and I’m so glad you took this project on. Roll on August!
I LOVE this book. I’m so excited about it coming out. And I love the illustrations throughout. Can’t wait to get hold of my own copy -and others for others…
And I LOVE your enthusiasm for this book! I can’t wait to share the rest of the book and I appreciate all your help with this manuscript in the past, Clare.
I would change it to book! 🙂
That’s two for books. I think that would be my ideal as well. Lots and lots of books–just as long as they didn’t hit me on the head! Thanks, Heather!
I love the way that the rain inspired your story 🙂
I can imagine that witches would love it to rain spiders and snakes.
Ooh, definitely, Catherine! Why didn’t I think of that one?! Love it! I feel another rain-inspired book coming on as I type…
Such a fun cover and all around great book! Hooray!!
It is such a fun cover, isn’t it?! It almost makes me wish it would rain bats and frogs for real. 🙂 Thanks for all you’ve done for the book, too, Kristin!
Wow! What a wonderful illustration and fantastic idea… roll on August. I think I’d have Delia make it rain ‘fish and chips’ for after the parade so all the witches could have supper!
Great idea, Catherine! They’ll be famished after flying in the parade and what better tea for rainy weather than fish and chips!
I think your title is the most perfect idea, but if I had to do differently… Marshmellows and chocolate chips! 😀 Your book looks adorable, can’t wait to read it!
Thanks so much, Meg! Hmm…hmm…hmm! I’ve got the graham crackers if you’ve got the spell to make it rain marshmallows and chocolate chips. 🙂
That’s a spell casting cover if there ever was one! Love your inspirational moment. I think I would have it rain ☔ splats and splogs…a real gully washer.
Definitely, Damon! Steven’s cover is spell-binding! And splats and splogs would be so fun to say.
Bikes and trikes, for alternative witch transportation.
I love the cover! It will be flying off the library shelf.
Yay, for bikes and trikes–flying ones, of course. 🙂 Thanks, Annette!
This is so clever, Rebecca! Love to hear you were inspired by a rainy day. Can’t wait to read!!
Many thanks, Lori! Rain is the best! Now if I could only find some inspiration in the cold, miserable winter weather we’ve been having.
love the title and the adorable cover. Congrats Rebecca
Thank you, Jennifer! And thanks so much for stopping by!
Beautiful cover and I love learning about your inspiring walk in the rain! I’ll add bugs and slugs to the mix. 🙂
Thanks, Marcia! I might stay inside the day it rains slugs and bugs :), but I love your idea! Very appropriate.
I would change it to jelly beans
My family are definitely with you on that one, Shaunie! They all love jellybeans, even the strange ones found in the Harry Potter Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans. Cheers!
Best of luck with your book, looks really cool! Congrats 🙂
I think I’ll add some (smily) spiders x
Great idea! Definitely some spiders! Thanks for your kind comments, Sharon!
Money would be nice 🙂 or if not chocolate would do x
I’m surprised more people haven’t suggested money, Rebecca. But as you say, chocolate will always do! 🙂
I’d change it to champagne x