Module 6: Thunder-Boomer

Book Cover Image:

Book Summary:

This is the story of a farming family who notices a storm approaching. The story walks through the preparations needed for such a storm. It reveals how the whole family pitches in to prepare the equipment, animals, and barn. It then shows the force of the storm and the fear the family feels at the uncertainty of how this will affect their livelihood. In the end, the farm and animals are fine as the storm ends and the family finds a fun surprise thanks to their favorite chicken.

APA Reference of Book:

Crum, S. (2009). Thunder-Boomer! New York, NY: Clarion Books.

Impressions:

My major impression of this book is that the sound plays such a huge role in this text. The author highlights the sounds of the farm throughout the text and invites the readers to hear and experience a day-in-the-life alongside the family. There is also this incredibly sense of suspense about what is to come with the storm. At first there are only clues that something like a storm is coming, which is rich in teaching possibilities. Further into the story the storm is known, but the reader is left wondering what will come of the farm as the characters are obviously rushing to prepare and show signs of anxiety. This is the type of writing that sucks a reader, especially a young one, into the story and holds them captive until the end. 
Suspense is used again at the close of the story when the family is attempting to figure out what is going on with their beloved chicken. The author uses the suspense and notes of onomatopoeia and imagery throughout the text beautifully to develop a seemingly simple story into something quite captivating. This text would be an excellent resource in a library for young readers as it is useful for both developing love for reading as well as tools to become a good reader.

Professional Review:

Preschool-Grade 2. One hot day, a farmer plows while his wife, children, and dog sit beside the pond. When a thunderstorm threatens, they hurry home, gather the laundry in off the line, bring a pet chicken into the house, and settle in to watch the lightning flash and feel the thunder shake the house. Hail threatens the corn and the metal roofs, but soon the storm ends. Going out to assess the damage, they find a wet kitten shivering near the shed and decide to give him a home. The evocative text and expressive illustrations work well together here, creating a strong sense of the storm sweeping across the land and an even stronger sense of how this good-natured family handles challenges and surprises. Opening the story in eight wordless pictures before the text begins, Thompson uses watercolor, gouache, pastel, crayon, and collage to create scenes charged with energy and human interest. This fine-tuned, occasionally funny picture book re-creates the satisfying drama of a summer storm.

Reference: 

Review of Thunder-Boomer!, by S. Crum. (2009). Booklist, 105(21). Retrieved from www.titlewave.com 

Library Uses:

This text could be used in the library as an interactive read-along for young students. They could participate in the many sounds that occur throughout the story. The librarian could discuss how important it is that we are able to hear the sounds of the storm and the farm.