This book is the winner of numerous awards. It was recognised in the Information Book category by the Beehive Award. It was recognised in the Picture Book category by the Black-Eyed Susan Award. It also was recognised in the Picture Book category by the South Carolina Childrens Junior and Young Adult Book Award. It was recognised by the Robert F Sibert Informational Book Award. Also it was recognised in the Younger Children category by the Jane Addams Children's Book Award.

There are 32 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2004 by Houghton Mifflin .

Award-winning author and illustrator James Rumford taught school with his wife, Carol, in Chad. One day, in the middle of the rainy season, they came upon the mud ruins of the town's primary school. Many years later, the memory of that school and the desire of Chadians to get an education no matter the obstacles gave birth to Rain School.