Rainy Day

“It’s raining. A brother and sister wanted to go on a bicycle tour, but now it’s pouring down. Boredom and helplessness reign in the children’s room until a first idea for a game arises from the depths of the imagination, followed by many more. In a series of imaginative inspirations, the children conquer mountains, become dwarves that fly on beetles and giants that cross rooftops. They descend into deep wells, wander through wide fields and deep forests. They hide from each other, chase each other, tickle each other. The activating imaginations flow into one another, seemingly running dry only to rejuvenate and start anew. Immersed in play, time flies.
Without using a single word, Jens Rassmus waxes lyrical about the diversity of children’s play. Black-and-white outlines show the reality of action in the children’s room, while bold acrylic colours fan out the wide world of imagination. Visual associations – recognisable gestures and postures of children or individual objects – allow the viewer to participate in the imaginary transformations. This visually powerful and barrier-free book invites everyone to follow and understand the thought process. And when the sun is shining again at the end, it is clear that imagination brightens up more than just a rainy day.” – The Jury of the German Children’s Literature Award

“Jens Rassmus draws a black-and-white here and now in ink, often arranging several small vignettes on one page. The fantasy world, however, is colourful and lush, often a full-page illustration, showing the children in their self-created worlds with cheerful faces and completely immersed in their game. »Regentag« is a tribute to the power of imagination, and it encourages children to look at the pictures again and again and invent their own stories to go with them.” – The White Ravens 2024

“A story so reduced in its means and form, so masterful in its technique and dramaturgy, so playful in its handling of narrative traditions, so effective in terms of entertainment and experiential value … Fantastic!” – Franz Lettner / 1001 Buch

“Jens Rassmus has interwoven all these scenes so cleverly that you can forget the time while looking at them, just like the children at play.” – Susanna Wengeler, Buchmarkt

“The children’s imagination literally gets the ball rolling. This is the introduction to Jens Rassmus’ latest textless masterpiece.” – Verena Weigl, Die Furche

“An absolutely successful, enormously visually powerful work that is suitable for young and old to stimulate their own imagination!” – Jury Leipzig Reading Compass 2024

“Ink and acrylic paint stand for rainy days and fantasy, and it is great fun to put oneself in these dream worlds and understand how everyday life and fantasy influence each other. A powerful picture book that encourages readers to imagine new worlds for themselves.” – Eselsohr, March 2024

“This silent picture book by picture book artist Jens Rassmus is marvellous fun and a tribute to the power of the imagination. Highly recommended.” – Angelika Rust, ekz

“You’re almost disappointed at the end when the sun shines and the children finally rush outside again. Great picture book art!” – Julia Aufderklamm, JuKiBuZ Lese-Fährte 2024