Island Storm

51NyGnZKOBL
Author(s)
Co-Authors / Illustrators
Genre(s)
Age Range
4+
Release Date
July 22, 2025
ISBN
978-0823456475
Buy This Book
     
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.

A Kirkus Prize Finalist

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 Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Editor review

1 review
The Power of Nature
(Updated: June 29, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.3
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
3.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
Island Storm features two children exploring their Island right before a large storm hits. The illustrations highlight the ominous foreboding and imminent danger of the approaching storm. The text and illustrations work perfectly in sync to heighten the reader’s emotions of uneasiness, relief, and finally calm as they go to play the next day. This book makes a good conversation starter on the importance of storm preparedness and safety. Overall, this book shows young readers the scarier power of nature.
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