When it rains, 

The poems capture brief moments of beauty, the loving bond between family members, and a deep appreciation of Tohono Oodham culture and traditions, as well as reverent feelings about the landscape and wildlife native to the Southwest. A motif of rain and water is woven throughout the poetry in When It Rains, tying in the collections title to the importance of this life-giving and sustaining resource to the Tohono Oodham people. With the poems in both Oodham and English, the volume serves as an important reminder of the beauty and changeability of the Oodham language.

The themes and experiences expressed by the language educators in this volume capture still-rural community life: children are still bussed for miles to school, and parents still have hours-long daily commutes to work. The Sonoran Desert also remains an important part of daily life--seasons, rain on desert plants, and sacred mountains serve as important markers.