The magnetic force between a child and a puddle is undeniable. Melanie Florence perfectly captures the joy of playing in the puddles in Benjamin’s Thunderstorm illustrated by Hawlii Pichette.

Benjamin loves to jump in the puddles and he loves to hear the thunder roll overhead. The thunder reminds him of the big drum his grandfather played. When he sees the puddles and hears the thunder it sounds like the songs from the powwow and inspires him to spin and step to the beat just like the dancers, until his mother calls him home.

Melanie Florence has created a beautiful story that ties the joy and irresistibility of jumping in the puddles with the joy and ceremony of dancing at the powwow. Throughout the story, readers will be able to feel the power of the drum and hear the booming of the thunder as they experience the thunderstorm along with Benjamin. 

Children are often afraid of thunderstorms so this book provides a comforting narrative to help turn the thinking around. To link the thunderstorm with joy. Melanie Florence shares her culture with readers through the dancing and the drum as well as through the Cree words throughout the story. A helpful pronunciation guide is included at the back of the book for non Cree speakers to help share the language with readers as they read through the story.

The story will captivate all readers. Who could possibly resist a story about splashing in puddles. Readers are hooked by the puddles and captivated by the big drum and Hawlii Pichette’s illustrations. They are colourful and enticing. Her Woodland style illustrations capture the excitement of puddles and powwows, dancing and remembering. I especially love the Thunderbird in the sky along with the illustration of the powwow dancer and the brilliant colours of the rainbow.