I personally love thunderstorms and since I get frequent requests from teachers for weather books, I'm always willing to look at a new title. I had already preordered this one, based on the combination of author and illustrator and the subject, but I was pleased to get a review copy as well and it turned out to be well-worth purchasing!
Salas' poetic language follows the formation of a storm, from a clear day, to gathering clouds, to the first rumbles of thunder. The storm builds, with the titular refrain, ZAP! CLAP! BOOM! until it moves on and everything is clear and storm-washed, shining with raindrops and glowing from the sun. Back matter includes a more in-depth explanation of storm, how they form, what creates lightning and thunder, and further sources including videos.
The art is created in Elly MacKay's unique overlay style, featuring three children whose skin is shown in shades of peach and brown, all with black hair, one short, one with two braids, and one with a waist-length sweep of straight hair. Images are overlaid with splashes of rain, cut paper and watercolors imitate the drip and sway of wet leaves and branches, and the end shines with golden light, the hills layered with oranges and greens and the sky a pale lavender.
Verdict: A lovely read-aloud, evoking the power and beauty of storms with added information to follow up children's interest. Pair with April Pulley Sayre's Raindrops Roll for a weather storytime or class unit on storms. Recommended.
ISBN: 9781547602254; Published March 2023 by Bloomsbury; Purchased for the library; Review copy provided by publisher
1 comment:
Thanks so much for sharing ZAP! CLAP! BOOM! and for this lovely review. And I'd be honored anytime a book of mine was paired with an April Pulley Sayre book at storytime :>)
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