Storm by Claire Saxby Illus. by Jess Racklyeft

Following on from Iceberg, Tree and Volcano, author Claire Saxby has once again written another striking narrative non-fiction book that shows her deep understanding and research into our natural environment.

The summer storm begins with a whisper of the wind where the birds and the sea creatures are waiting and watching. The creatures retreat as the build-up of clouds begins. As the storm gathers momentum both the sea and the land take a battering. Then the storm moves abates. The sand and the air are cool. Everything is still. Life goes on.

Throughout this book the poetic and descriptive language used is brilliantly executed:

“Periwinkle tracks scribble across a blister rock pool to where edge-tucked anemones extend tentacles wide.”
“A flutter, a ripple, a shiver show where it blows.”
“White-lipped waves snack at the shore.”
“The wind is alive. It flings and slings rain at the land, at the sea.”
“The reef disappears in a tumult of wind-built bubbles and wave churn.”

The reader can feel the power and majesty of the storm at its height and then the sense of reprieve when it has passed. Until next time.

The dynamic watercolour illustrations perfectly capture the words and feeling of this imposing storm. The gorgeous colours used in the rockpools and ocean scenes in the stillness complement the darkness of the storm clouds. The double page foldout spread is simply stunning. It is a magnificent storm: frightening in its intensity but as is noted in the final pages becoming more common with rising sea levels and increasing global temperatures.

Storm is another valuable addition to a school and public library. Highly recommended.

Themes: Storms, Weather, Clouds, Sea & Land Creatures, Thunder, Wind, Narrative Non-fiction, Science.

Kathryn Beilby