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I Am the Storm

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I am the Storm 
By Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple 
Art by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell 
Rise, An Imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2020. Picture Book. 

Last week I decided to highlight a picture book that filled me with hope and all the good emotions that I need due to such a crazy time. This week I want to talk about a picture book that is also appropriate for the craziness that is 2020 but for entirely different reasons. 

In this book there are four families who are dealing with four types of storms. There is a family facing a tornado, a blizzard, a wildfire, and hurricane. In each of these instances there are kids who have to hunker down or leave their homes to find a safer place to wait out what is happening. But the universal theme is that even though storms are strong, we as kids or humans can be stronger. We can be fierce and “it’s okay to be scared.” But also remember that just like how storms all end, we can be the “calm” after a storm too. 

Seriously, this is a powerhouse of a book and a concept. The idea that a child can be as strong—if not stronger—than a storm is important. Especially with all the craziness and uncertainty that 2020 has thrown at all of humanity. Give this book to any reader that needs to know it is okay to be strong, fierce, wild, loud, hot, or scared. And then remind them that they can also be the equally powerful emotion of calm as well. Well done. Well done. 
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