Recommended by Bookseller Ali Cave at Rainy Day Books
A Visit to Rainy Day Book
During a recent visit to Rainy Day Books (which I featured in a previous post), I spoke with bookseller Ali Cave about one of her favorite picture books and the lively story time she hosts each week.
Inside Saturday Story time
Ali leads Saturday morning story time at 10 a.m., while her colleague Kate hosts Tuesdays. The 30-minute sessions include songs and three or four picture books, depending on how energetic the group is that day. Held in the children’s section, the space fills with foam pads for kids and chairs for grown-ups.
Story time is about more than reading. The youngest listeners—often three and under—watch each other, explore nearby books, and sometimes get distracted stacking foam dots or choosing their next story. Parents connect, too, often heading to the park or breakfast together afterward. Having worked at the store for two years, Ali loves seeing familiar faces grow up and return to the shop.
A Bookseller’s Pick
When asked to recommend a favorite book, Ali immediately chose The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish: What Magic Lies Beneath by Chloe Savage.
The beautifully illustrated story follows Dr. Morley, a determined scientist leading a team to the Arctic in search of a legendary giant jellyfish. Along their difficult journey through the cold and isolation of the Arctic, they encounter many animals—but the jellyfish remains hidden in the illustrations for young readers to discover.
“It’s wonderful for story time,” Ali explains. “The jellyfish is always hiding somewhere in the pictures, and the kids get so excited trying to spot it.”
Moments of Wonder
One of her favorite moments comes during the scene featuring the aurora borealis, where the cadence of the story and the stunning artwork quiet even the youngest listeners.
By the end of the journey, the exhausted team decides to turn back. But in the final moment, as they prepare to leave, Dr. Morley finally sees the giant jellyfish—an ending that Ali says still gives her chills.
Why It Works for Story time
Although the book works best for children around five or six, its rhythm and illustrations captivate younger audiences as well.
Savage, a British author-illustrator, has written several other titles, including The Search for Our Cosmic Neighbors and The Search for Carmella. Still, this one remains Ali’s favorite.
A Story time Worth Experiencing
It’s an ideal choice for story time—beautiful, engaging, and full of wonder.
Post Note: April 25th is Indie Bookstore Day 2026 at Rainy Day. They will have fun kids events including two story time reading sessions, Charlie Mylie (local Kansas City author and illustrator) will have an interactive mural, and they will have prize wheel. Join them for this fun local event.