The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm

K-Gr 2—This book-within-a-book offers a comforting message for children coping with natural disasters. Mica, a young mouse who is afraid of storms because the previous year a hurricane destroyed her home, listens to a story told by her loving father about a little rhinoceros whose home was also destroyed by a deadly storm. The tale emphasizes the strength that comes from comforting support from loved ones. Rhino has lots of friends, and each animal offers a rather lengthy message in rhyme and varying fonts. Some words may require explanation for younger readers unfamiliar with the concepts of chaos or calamity. The art is stronger than the text: colorful cartoons emphasize the contrast from the digital art of Mica's home and the brighter pen, ink, and paint pages of the rhinoceros tale. Readers may also spot the edged pages of the inner "book" and note changes in art and text for the final message shared with Mica: "You're never really alone when bad things happen." A general purchase for most libraries.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX