BOOK REVIEW: The Storm by Akiko Miyakoshi

BLURB:

When a powerful storm threatens a planned trip to the beach, a young boy waits and worries and dreams. 

As this evocative picture book begins, a little boy is excited about a trip to the beach with his parents planned for the following day. But a bad storm is coming, and he has started to worry they won't be able to go. He watches as the sky grows darker through the afternoon. His mother and father close the shutters and bring the potted plants indoors. Then the storm arrives. "All through dinner, the rain beats hard against the shutters. The wind howls and blows," the boy says. "I try not to be scared." At bedtime, he thinks, "I wish I had a ship with big propellers that would spin stronger winds to drive the storm away." While asleep, his wish becomes his dream, and he manages to blow away the dark clouds with his imaginary vessel. Then, to his delight, when he awakens, he finds his dream of clear blue skies has come true. 

Author and illustrator Akiko Miyakoshi uses spare text and black-and-white drawings to echo the tension and uncertainty a child feels when encountering severe weather. The boy knows he is safe, yet danger is near. When he faces his fear in his dream, he becomes empowered by having conquered it. This is a perfect book for a quiet storytime on a rainy day. It would also work for launching conversations about fears, particularly those that are nature related, or as the impetus for children's own imaginary stories of how they could be courageous and save the day.

REVIEW BY: Angelina, age 9 years, 4 months

MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:

I liked this book! It was about a boy and his mom and dad. They promised him that they would go to the beach, but there was a storm and he became sad. He went to bed and woke up the next morning and it was a wonderful clear day. 

My favorite part is when the boy wakes up to a brighter day because I feel the same way sometimes after an awful day before. 

My favorite character is the boy because I felt so bad for him and I felt like I was in the book with him and his feelings. 

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 and up. 

This book's publishing date is April 1, 2016.