Hate That Thunder/Odio Ese Trueno
I know my bed’s for sleeping on / But sometimes I slide under… / I don’t know how others feel / But I sure hate that thunder.
A clear night is eclipsed by a volatile weather front. When the sound of thunder jars young Mandy awake she reacts defensively but she becomes better able to face her apprehension when she realizes how crucial rain is to the growth of vegetation. Full-page illustrations bring to mind images from the educational juggernaut Schoolhouse Rock. Facial expressions do the heavy lifting of conveying changing emotion.
The team behind this book comes from the world of journalism. William J. Adams is a former news editor and publisher with songwriting and recording production credits including one with Howdy Doody’s Buffalo Bob Smith. Tom Stiglich is a graphic designer for a Philadelphia-centered newspaper chain. His editorial cartoons have appeared in several leading dailies and periodicals including Newsweek and the New York Times.
The extra effort involved in producing poetry in two languages increases the book’s utility to curious young readers who take the first step in enlarging their future employment prospects. Hate the Thunder‘s family members however all have yellow to brown hair and somewhat doughy Midwestern builds. Although children are often able to identify with characters who don’t resemble themselves perhaps some sign of Hispanic culture would have been beneficial. Other books in the series promise to include multicultural characters who will join Mandy and Andy.
This is the first Mandy and Andy story. The next book in the series is titled Goin’ To The Zoo/Vamos Al Zoologico. All the books will be available in combined English/Spanish formats. Newer readers from preschool through second grade will enjoy the chance to read this story of mastering a common anxiety.
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
