Island Storm, by Brian Floca/Illustrated by Sydney Smith, (July 2025, Neal Porter Books), $18.99, ISBN: 9780823456475
Ages 4-8
A pair of siblings ventures out of their island home to “see the sea before the storm” in Caldecott Medalist Floca’s new picture book. They feel the storm germinating as they stroll: the wind blowing, the waves crashing against the rocks at the shore; they pass neighbors who encourage them to get home to safety and they see the streets empty. They urge each other on, wanting to see just a bit more, until the storm arrives with its full fury and sends them running back to home and safety. Filled with sensory verses, readers can imagine themselves walking along a shore, feeling the spray of water and hearing the branches sway in the wind. Repetitive phrases like “is this enough, or do we try for more” and “you pull on me, I pull on you” invites readers to be a silent companion on the adventure. Smith’s watercolor and gouache illustrations capture a storm’s progression from beginning to end, and Floca places readers in the middle of the hurried preparation: “We pass the island grocery store where neighbors have been stocking up. We pass places built for summer crowds, parks and docks and the ice cream parlor, where now there’s hardly a person in sight. Our town is eerie and empty – a stage without its show”. A beautifully crafted book that will get return readers finding something new each time they dive in.
Island Storm has starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Horn Book, Kirkus, The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Shelf Awareness, and is an Indie Next selection.
Hurricane, by Jason Chin, (May 2025, Neal Porter Books), $19.99, ISBN: 9780823458493
Ages 4-8
Caldecott and Sibert Medalist Chin places readers on Hatteras Island, North Carolina during hurricane season. Alternating between the science of hurricanes and the day-to-day life of people in the hurricane’s path, Chin creates a fascinating look at the life cycle of a storm and how it affects the lives of those affected by one. Chin’s research is spot-on and he shines in communicating weather and climate science to a younger audience. By inserting readers into the lives of the Hatteras Island community, he creates a textured experience that engenders empathy and understanding beyond the meteorologists and technology. There are callout boxes with greater detail and detailed maps throughout; Chin uses the maps to chart the storm and stoke interest and anticipation of the moment the storm arrives. Readers can follow along as the community weathers and recovers from the storm, relying on one another to “get through it together”. Generous back matter includes detailed illustrations and information on hurricane season, structure, the hurricane naming process, and climate change’s role in hurricanes. An excellent pick for nonfiction collections.
Hurricane has starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Horn Book, Shelf Awareness, and BookPage.
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