Frightened by a thunderstorm, complete with booming thunder, lightning, and howling wind, a little girl asks her parents if they can make the storm stop. They gently acknowledge her fear, as well as their inability to control the weather, and assure her that she is safe indoors with them. They use the frightening storm outside as a way to show their child that even if there are things they cannot control, they can still be cozy together inside. The storm is also an opportunity for the child to begin to learn that she will be able to deal with other scary events in the future. Because her parents have made her feel safe, she easily falls asleep while the storm is still raging, and wakes up to a bright sun-filled morning.
A mezuzah on the front door and references to the child’s Bubbe and Zayde indicate this family is Jewish, but it is a universal story and will be reassuring to any child with fears or anxieties. The sweetly expressive illustrations, which enhance the feeling of safety indoors while the storm rages outdoors, were created digitally on a graphic tablet.
The author, Rona Novick, a clinical psychologist in New York, lectures frequently to parent and school groups. Many of her articles on parenting can be found here.
Susan Kantor was a senior writer/editor for Girl Scouts of the USA, a children’s book editor, and a past judge for the National Jewish Book Awards in the illustrated children’s book category. She is a writer and a docent at the Rubin Museum in New York City, where she leads public and private tours.
