With a lyrical, rhythmic text and lovely, rather dreamy looking illustrations, Weather Any Storm offers up a way for children to calm down when caught in an emotional burst. Actually, the technique is applicable for anyone although, even as an adult, the sudden appearance of the Billies initially confused me. Once I figured out that they represent wildly out of control emotions, however, it made sense.
I won't detail the steps suggested but will simply say breathe seems to be the central force. Using the rhythm of the text and the suggestive image of waves rising and falling, the reader is guided through the process of escaping the Billies, ie out of control emotions and feelings, into a place of peace and calmness. The steps are repeated again in boxes at the end.
My only concern is that the book seems to assume both the adult reader and child (target age 4-8) have some background or familiarity with this concept. This may not be true and I'm not sure the typical, questioning child will fully grasp the concept simply by having it read to them. That said, once I figured where the author was going with the text/illustrations, I enjoyed the book and found myself nodding along in agreement, particularly when the author adds the comment that if you lose focus, simply stop and start the process over again. In other words, you are in control.
Thanks #NetGalley and #ShambhalaPublications - #BalaKids for a reminder of a potent way to calm jitters and nerves, even if it took me a moment to find my place in it. In this increasingly frantic, volatile world, we all need a way to center ourselves.
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