The King Who Rained
by Fred Gwynne
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 1987
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- wordplay
- homophones and idioms
- imagination
- misunderstandings
- family
- humor
- language and communication
About this book
This classic humorous picture book plays with homophones and idioms as a young girl takes her parents’ sayings literally, imagining scenes like a king who actually rains. Simple text and witty illustrations invite kids to laugh while they learn how words can sound the same but mean different things. It’s a fun read‑aloud for families and classrooms, perfect for building vocabulary and language awareness. Ideal for early elementary readers who enjoy puns and visual jokes.
Setting: a contemporary home and whimsical imagined scenes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The King Who Rained right for my child?
Yes — The King Who Rained is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.3, which is typical for 3rd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include wordplay, homophones and idioms, imagination.
How long does it take to read The King Who Rained?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, The King Who Rained takes around 6m to finish. The book has 800 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The King Who Rained have an AR quiz?
Yes — The King Who Rained has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is The King Who Rained?
The King Who Rained has an AR reading level of 3.3, which places it at a 3rd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.