Review by Booklist Review
Striking geometric illustrations in storm-colored hues drive this beautiful tale of a rat struggling with inner turmoil. Rat's concerned friends worry she is "somewhere sad" and invite her to talk, but--unsure how to express herself--she runs away, headlong into a storm. Along her fear-driven, exhausting run, she encounters a friend, then a threat, and finally crashes into Bear. Bear, serving as more of a therapist than a friend, thoughtfully encourages Rat to roar along with the storm, and "strangely enough, it really helped." Over time, with support, Rat is able to calm her mind and reconnect with friends. Gentle, empathetic text describes Rat's journey, while bold illustrations reinforce her sense of isolation in a big world, as well as the emotional depth of the characters. While most of the target audience may not grasp the metaphors for depression, they--and their adults--will certainly recognize the challenge of expressing big feelings, and the value of someone who listens and sits with us through all our emotions.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Mountford (The Circles in the Sky) contemplates two serious, related skills in this compassionate book of counsel: recognizing one's distress, and talking about it with another. Starring a cast of animal characters displayed in highly stylized decorative art that works to soften some of the story's more anguished moments, the pages draw a parallel between approaching weather and a whirlwind of emotions felt by protagonist Rat. Though she's been "sighing a lot lately," Rat can't find the words to talk to her friends. Taking off as a big storm begins, Rat experiences a terrifying encounter with Snake, then collides with Bear, a warm presence who helps her find shelter. Suggesting that the two wait out the squall while it frees its voice, Bear also says just what Rat needs to hear: "It's not easy carrying a storm inside…. Even more so when you keep it all to yourself." In chapter book--like prose that leans into big emotions, Bear takes a long, relaxed look at experiencing and regulating feelings ("Crying is a wonderful way to soothe ourselves"), helping to leave the protagonist, and perhaps the reader, feeling both heard and better equipped. Ages 3--7. (Nov.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--Rat has been feeling as if she carries a storm inside her. When her friend Jackdaw asks if she would like to talk, she runs out into the rain instead, seeking the release of physical activity. She is soon far from home and her friends, overwhelmed by the outer storm as well as the inner one. A new friend offers her some good advice and even helps her find the courage to talk about her feelings. Mesmerizing illustrations use patterns and colors to capture the beauty of nature, the violence of the thunderstorm, and the change in Rat's outlook. Although the same greens, blues, and purples appear throughout the book, there is a grayness at first that hints at Rat's sadness. As she lets some of her turmoil out by roaring into the storm, the grays slowly shift, and tans and pinks give the scenes a warmer look. Geometric shapes form patterns on moss, mushrooms, and even the feathers, fur, and scales of the various animals. The scenes are eye-catching whether they show sharply diagonal slopes in the landscape, the constricting coils of Snake, or the soft curves of sheltering plants. Bear's gentle wisdom speaks to all readers who may be feeling their own storms: "Those who care will always want to listen." VERDICT Highly recommended; this is a compassionate look at how to support a friend overwhelmed by emotions.--Suzanne Costner
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A rat, miserable thanks to her own internal storm, finds help in the midst of a real one. Though Rat seems deeply unhappy these days, her friend Jackdaw can't get her to say why. One day, with blustery weather on the horizon, Rat runs into the heart of the storm, dodging friends and hungry enemies alike. When she finally collides with Bear, she finds a compassionate ear. Bear encourages her to be "a voice in a storm" and to let out her growls and roars alongside the actual storm. Afterward, Rat confesses the despair she's been carrying around inside and explains why she couldn't tell the others. In the end, Bear wisely states that "asking for help takes a lot of courage. Butletting someone help, well, it takes worlds of the stuff." By the end, Rat is finally able to start telling Jackdaw what's wrong. Though the book's message may feel a bit advanced for the elementary school set, that doesn't diminish the truth beating at its heart; children grappling with depression and other intense emotions will feel seen--and held. Mountford couples the heaviness of the story alongside lavender, green, and blue geometric digital art, filled with beauty and coupled with care. In the end, the book feels like an older sibling to Cori Doerrfeld's similarly mindfulThe Rabbit Listened (2018). Inexpressible feelings find an invaluable mouthpiece in one rodent's lonely journey. Vital storytelling.(Picture book. 6-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
