Book Review: Storm Is Coming! by R.R. Russell
As a book blogger, there are stories that simply tug at your heartstrings or manage to wrap you in a comforting hug, and Storm Is Coming! by R.R. Russell is absolutely one of those gems. I stumbled upon this delightful children’s book while searching for something special to share with my niece, who has been prone to anxiety during thunderstorms. The moment I flipped through its colorful pages, I was captivated by the charming illustrations and the warmth that radiated from every line.
At its core, Storm Is Coming! is a whimsical adventure where Dog, the book’s endearing protagonist, embarks on a mission to alert all the barnyard animals of the impending storm. As they huddle together, a delightful mix of suspense and comedy unfolds. Who exactly is "Storm," and what’s the commotion happening outside? The plot cleverly navigates the anxiety children often feel about thunderstorms, wrapping it in a humorous narrative that showcases not just the fear but also camaraderie and courage among friends. Through Dog’s leadership, the animals learn that while storms can be intimidating, they can also be a source of unexpected laughter and fun.
The writing style is refreshingly engaging, with a delightful rhythm that flows beautifully, making it perfect for read-aloud sessions. This quality alone makes it an ideal pick for bonding moments, whether during cozy bedtime stories or adventurous afternoons. Russell’s choice of words, peppered with gentle humor and simple yet vivid descriptions, radiates warmth and makes the characters come alive.
The colorful and lively illustrations complement the story perfectly, inviting young readers into a vibrant world. Each page bursts with character, whether it’s the anxious expressions of the animals or the dramatic portrayal of the storm. One of my favorite moments is when the rain begins to drum against the barn roof, and the animals start to wonder if perhaps the sky is scaring "Storm" away. It’s a playful twist that adds lightheartedness to what could otherwise be a frightening situation.
Testimonials from other readers resonate strongly with my own sentiments. Parents like Kelsey and GinaE have shared how the book helped ease their children’s fears surrounding storms, often turning anxious moments into shared laughter during reading time. One review even mentioned how it’s become a staple in their nightly routine, a tradition that added warmth to their family time.
In conclusion, Storm Is Coming! is not just a charming tale but also a comforting tool for parents navigating storm-related anxieties with their little ones. Whether you’re reading this with a toddler who hides under the blankets at the sound of thunder or simply looking for a book that entertains while teaching resilience, I wholeheartedly recommend adding this title to your collection. It certainly left me with a smile and a sense of calm, reminding us all that sometimes, a good story can chase away the storms—both outside and within.
So grab a copy, snuggle up, and let the adventure unfold; you’ll find both laughter and solace in its pages!
You can find Storm Is Coming! here >>
Reviewer: Kelsey
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Cute Book
Review: I bought this book for my three year-old daughter because we had a large storm at our house where we had to shelter in place. She has been kind of traumatized by it ever since. This is a fun little book about farm animals in a storm that eases the tension around storms a little bit at least for my family.
Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Buy this for everyone having a baby!
Review: Such a sweet story. We still quote this book years later. It was a staple each night. Great and creative storyline! Art is incredible. Very colorful and wonderful.
Reviewer: GinaE
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Purchased for child afraid of storms
Review: My then-four-year-old was intrigued by the title of this book as she was (and still is) very frightened of thunderstorms. When we read this, she laughed at how the animals reacted to the coming storm. It quickly became a favorite. The book actually helped her deal with her own fear of storms as we read how the animals relied on the actual storm’s wind/thunder/rain to scare away “Storm”. Even now (she’s almost seven) we still read this book when severe thunderstorms move through our area. It is a fun little “suspense” story for children and I recommend it now to parents of young children who are afraid of storms. The suspense in the story is light-hearted and humorous, the illustrations are colorful and fun. It is a great read-aloud story, too.
Reviewer: K
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Adorable!!!!
Review: I get this for every child I know it’s the cutest book. The kids will love it!
Reviewer: TheMommy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A classic. Perfect book for toddlers
Review: Our youngest child loved this book, which we discovered in a now long gone bookstore; each time there was a storm we would pull it out of the bookshelf and read it to him, it made him feel more at easy. I’m so glad it’s still for sale, we just purchased one for our grandchild.
Reviewer: JCM
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I different approach to taking the fear out of stoms for young children
Review: This is a fun book to read to the children the way the animals are guessing who Storm is? Even though it approaches thunderstorms from a fable-type interpretation, I can see how this method can help alleviate fear in a young child. It reminds me of when I was very young and my older brothers played a game where they would pretend that God was bowling. They would rate if it was a spare, a strike or a gutter ball based on the severity of the thunder. It made one look forward to the next rumble rather than fearing it’s approach.
Reviewer: DakOdin
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Cute story
Review: My children hate thunder and lightning storms and are very nervous when they know one is coming. I bought this book in the hopes of making light of the situation and reassuring them that storms don’t have to be so scary. My daughter loves listening to each animal make a certain noise and hearing their reaction to “Storm”. Overall, it’s a cute story. I can’t say it’s completely helped with getting rid of their fear of storms but it gives us a good laugh when we read it!
Reviewer: Auntie Heather
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Just a good story
Review: I got this for a nephew who is afraid of storms. Reading others comments, I figured I’d give it a go. It is a cute story, and my nephew really enjoyed it. However, I don’t know how much it is going to make him less afraid of storms. My advice is to also talk to your child after reading it and telling them that the farmer called them in so they were safe. We’ll see how much all of this helps the next storm that comes round.
Reviewer: Camille
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This is an absolute favourite read-aloud. The story is fun, witty and is accompanied by the best illustrations. I buy these in bulk to give as baby gifts. I could read this story over and over again. Anyone who has children will know that it’s a great thing to find a book that is as much fun to read aloud as it is to be listened to! Highly recommended!
Reviewer: Louise P
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This is great book for youngsters to explain storms. It is a touch abstract and for younger children you will have to explain it a lot. That said, it is a very enjoyable read and my 3 year old likes it.