Island Storm
by Brian Floca
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In Caldecott Medalist Brian Floca and acclaimed illustrator Sydney Smith's thrilling picture book, young readers will experience the sheer power of a violent thunderstorm and the calm of its aftermath.
Can you tell when a storm is coming? Can you feel the wind coming and growing? Do you hear the branches bouncing together, hear the whispers of the wind through the leaves?
Join in the journey as two siblings bear witness to the steady start, thrilling apex, and gentle end of this island storm. They'll shelter soon, but first they want to feel it all.
Sydney Smith is the winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest international distinction given to authors and illustrators of children's books, and his illustrations are fantastically textured and visually spectacular. Paired with Brian Floca's eloquent, rhythmic text, Island Storm is a multi-sensory experience that will amaze and delight readers. Children who fear thunder can take comfort in seeing it captured in the pages, while those who relish watching the sky crack open can enjoy battling this storm from the comfort of their homes.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9780823456475
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Brian Floca
- Publisher
- Neal Porter Books
- Published Date
- July 22, 2025
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 48
- Physical Info
- 11.13 in L x 8.35 in W (0.94 lb)
This is a beautiful book. Lovely writing and wonderfully illustrated
As with every Floca book purchased for my nieces and nephews, this was a hit. Whether he is writing or drawing, the kids love the story, the colors, the world they are drawn into. I am always eager to buy his next work. Floca is extremely talented!
The prose is poetic and I love the onomatopeia sprinkled throughout.. I love the great textural illustrations that just bring the sea and storm to life and the color palette is so spot on as the storm begins to worsen, you can just feel the ominous sensations. The characters are really sweet with very simple facial expressions that convey the thrill of being outside and experiencing the wrath of nature first hand. I love the brother/sister friendship and how they feel safe and adventurous, being close to each other. The thunder booms and the race is on to get home-and you can just feel the worry that sets in as they race back and the pictures get darker as the storm is right overhead-adding to the thrill of the story. The brother & sister friendship feels like a warm embrace full of love, forgiveness and warmth. I especially like the effect of looking through a rain soaked window-the illustrator does a fantastic job of this. This story might seem a bit scary but the calm arrives after the storm with blue skies and the brother and sisters adventure is on, once again.
We have always loved Brian Floca the illustrator so we were thrilled that he was releasing a book that he himself penned! We were not disappointed! Floca's storytelling reads like he is drawing a picture with words rather than with strokes of color. What child (or adult really) isn't fascinated by the weather? Island Storm is the perfect curl up and snuggle read even when the sun is shining...masterful, truly!
