Children's Books For Storytime and Beyond: Book Review: The Angry Thunderstorm by Carol Henson Keesee

Life for me is like life for most people. During the week, there's a lot going on. I spend weekdays tackling deadlines in an advertising firm. Since we launched The Angry Thunderstorm, I spend time a lot of time talking to people about the book and promoting it through different channels. In the evenings, I have family activities which include my husband, two children and two dogs. Up until a few weeks ago, it also included two hamsters, Petey and Ralph. Sadly, Petey and Ralph left us for that great hamster ball in the sky.

Petey and Ralph were not your typical hamsters. They were mischievous. There were several times we had to form a search party because they had learned to pick the lock on their hamster ball and had become quite the escape artists. We began taping the ball at the end so they couldn't perform their Houdini act. Come to think of it, I think that may have been what did poor Petey in. Sidenote to self: Every now and then, you just need a good escape.

In their hamster ball, these comrades were fearless. At first our dogs chased them. It only took one wrong turn and they soon learned that the dogs would duck tail and run when that ball came rolling at them. Sidenote to self: Every now and then, it doesn't hurt to change your focus and direction, if only for a little while.

On a bright and sunny Saturday, Petey collapsed in the hamster ball. I assured my son that this is how Petey would have wanted it. Still, we were sad. But I think poor Ralph felt his loss the most. Two days later, I walked past my son's room to find Ralph running at warp speed around the cage. I stepped in to check on him just in time to see him keel over. Sidenote to self - Slow down and stop running in circles. The outcome can't be good.

So there you have it - the reason why my blog has sat silently for over a week. I have been practicing the lessons of Petey and Ralph. Did I mention that they were smart little hamsters?

Recently I presented Top Ten Ways to Motivate Parents to Encourage Children to Read More! at the Tennessee Reading Summit in Murfreesboro, TN. During that session, I read The Angry Thunderstorm and talked about how parents and teachers can use this new children's book in a variety of ways.

It obviously calms children's fears and deepens their understanding about thunderstorms. The clever illustrations show the thunderstorm's true nature...and the text explains ways that thunderstorms help our world.

Writers (of all ages) are often able to more quickly refine their writing skills after seeing how an author personifies a subject in an amusing story. Both the text and illustrations of this book provide multiple examples of personification. One of the great things about picture books are the way snippets can be effectively used as springboards for further discussion.

It wasn't too long ago that a nasty tornado devestated parts of Murfreesboro, TN. Many of the conference participants talked about how timely this book will be to share with their children.

Consider making the opportunity to share this book with someone you love, or use it during writing instruction...even with Middle School students! It's the kind of book that many will find valuable...and for different reasons!

Our post today is a huge "shout out" to Ms. H and her fifth-grade students at Pond Springs Elementary School. For those of you who do not know Ms. H., she is my son's teacher. Ryan adores her and thinks that she is the best teacher ever. I happen to agree. Not only because she has helped Ryan improve his grades and test scores by leaps and bounds, but because she teaches more than reading, writing, science and math. She teaches integrity, respect and accountability - all those fine subjects that go into building great character - no matter how old you are.

Ryan has been waiting patiently to share the new book with Ms. H. Finally, we had the opportunity give her a copy of The Angry Thunderstorm. She was so excited and told me that she was going to read the book with her class. "Oh no," I said. "This book is for children ages two to eight," thinking that the fifth-graders would be much too advanced for the book. Much to my surprise, I was wrrr.... (can't seem to be spit it out) wrroo... (one more try) WRONG!

Ms. H led her students through a read aloud. Afterwards, the class talked about the literary language, especially the personification of the thundercloud. They discussed the main idea of the book and the message takeaway. They talked about concepting and why I might have decided to write this story. While her fifth-graders may have sat in her classroom, it was I who learned the lesson: Picture books are still very useful for upper grades - and enjoyable at any age.

Carol did an absolutely phenomenal job writing The Angry Thunderstorm. The story appeals to children on many levels~initially, the rhyme and rhythm of the text captures their attention. Then they become awed by the charming illustrations. Plus the message of the story not only reassures them that thunderstorms mean them no harm, but actually help our world.

Yes, my three granddaughters all loved the book and begged for it to be read again and again.
After finishing the book, Anna who is 3, showed me her favorite picture in the whole book was the illustration of the thunderstorm as he "crept gently away" because it showed that he really wasn't angry! Ally, age 5, enjoyed the sounds and motions and by page 3 on the re-read, she actually "R-o-a-r-r-r-r-e-d!" with the thunderstorm. Emily, age 6 and in Kindergarten, loved the big words, like phenomenon!

As I have worked with schools lately, I have told them a bit about the book. Everyone gets excited (and that's before they have even held the book in their hands)! I hope each of you and all the young children you know will soon get to hold this wonderful book and enjoy all the words and illustrations that make The Angry Thunderstorm a truly special book!