Review of Thunder and Lightning, They're Not So Frightening

[Sarah Schmidt]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Thunder and Lightning, They're Not So Frightening" by JD Schmith.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Thunder and Lightning, They’re Not So Frightening is a children’s book written by JD Schmith. William, a young boy, prepares for bed in the evening. His favourite pre-bedtime activity is watching as the lights come on in the neighbouring houses from his spot at his bedroom window. This night is different, however. As he watches, a storm begins to form, and when the rumbling thunder and flashing lightning begin to scare him, he frightfully calls for his father. His father enters the room, soothes William’s nerves, and explains the causes of the scary event. His presence and explanations manage to vanquish William’s fears. Comforting, educational, and splendidly simple, this book serves as the perfect naptime story.

The fear of thunderstorms is something I remember all too well from my childhood. A reassuring cuddle and a simplification of the origins of thunder and lightning, as Daddy did with William, would have been ideal cure-alls for my seven-year-old self. This is a parent-child bonding moment that is very relatable, much like checks in closet and scaring away the monsters under the bed. The story’s endearing delivery evoked feelings of nostalgia, which I greatly enjoyed.

The features of this book that I liked the most were the illustrations. There was a type of soft realism to the art style that was very appealing. The moments between William and his father were touching, with the illustrations managing to convey the expressions of the two characters and the mood of the story.

I did not dislike anything about Thunder and Lightning, They’re Not so Frightening. I took note of a single, minor error, which was probably made obvious because of the short length of the book, but the standard was otherwise up to par. As such, I assume that this book has been professionally edited.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Perfectly illustrated, relatable, and enjoyable, this book is more than deserving of a full-score rating. Parents whose children display signs of astraphobia might find this book a suitable read. I would also recommend this book to people who need a quick but touching naptime story, especially one containing teaching points. I would not recommend this book to someone searching for adventurous or magical children’s stories.

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Thunder and Lightning, They're Not So Frightening
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