Island Storm

Gr 1-4–Two siblings decide to go out to look at the ocean before a big storm comes to their community. As the storm approaches, the kids have several opportunities to turn around and go home, but they choose to continue in a game of atmospheric chicken, until the storm finally descends and they are forced to run home, pulling each other along. Smith’s roughly rendered artwork is a perfect complement to the vivid figurative language of Floca’s book, allowing readers to experience what it would be like to stand by the ocean just before a big storm comes. The book also captures the feeling of safety and well-being of returning to a secure, cozy house. This would be an excellent book to support discussion of figurative language or use as a mentor text for showing readers events rather than telling them about them in text. It would also be a good introduction to storm preparation and safety.