Recently I presented Top Ten Ways to Motivate Parents to Encourage Children to Read More! at the Tennessee Reading Summit in Murfreesboro, TN. During that session, I read The Angry Thunderstorm and talked about how parents and teachers can use this new children's book in a variety of ways.

It obviously calms children's fears and deepens their understanding about thunderstorms. The clever illustrations show the thunderstorm's true nature...and the text explains ways that thunderstorms help our world.

Writers (of all ages) are often able to more quickly refine their writing skills after seeing how an author personifies a subject in an amusing story. Both the text and illustrations of this book provide multiple examples of personification. One of the great things about picture books are the way snippets can be effectively used as springboards for further discussion.

It wasn't too long ago that a nasty tornado devestated parts of Murfreesboro, TN. Many of the conference participants talked about how timely this book will be to share with their children.

Consider making the opportunity to share this book with someone you love, or use it during writing instruction...even with Middle School students! It's the kind of book that many will find valuable...and for different reasons!