The Storm

A trip to the beach is thwarted by an oncoming storm. The disappointed child mopes but joins mother and father when the storm begins to rage; upon awakening, he finds the weather has cleared and the beach awaits. Illustrated with detailed, high-contrast charcoal drawings, this simple story, first published in Japan, captures anticipation, disappointment, worry, relief, and joy with subtlety and precision.

A child's highly anticipated trip to the beach is thwarted by an oncoming storm. The family prepares its home, closing shutters and moving flowerpots inside; the disappointed child mopes but joins mother and father as they push away their fears and stick together when the storm begins to rage. At last, in bed, the child drifts off to sleep and dreams of captaining a ship through the storm into clear skies, to find, upon awakening, that the weather has cleared and the beach awaits. Miyakoshi's detailed charcoal drawings, on heavily textured paper, use high contrast and dynamic perspective to heighten the drama of the storm and the calm of its departure. The family cat, visible in most interiors, appears on the dream-ship, too, adding to the reverie. The entire book broods in shades of black and gray until the final double-page spread, when the child draws back the curtains to see bright blue skies: "Perfect for a day at the beach!" This simple story, first published in Japan, captures anticipation, disappointment, worry, relief, and joy with subtlety and precision. thom barthelmess