Flood

By Capstone Young Readers
Price $15.95
Age 6-8 yrs.

There is so much beauty in this book. Its images are gloriously rendered, and the lovely storytelling is made even more powerful by the fact that the pages are entirely wordless. This absence of written language only serves to enhance the reader's level of engagement, by attuning the mind to interpreting and absorbing the rich level of nuance and detail present. Each and every illustration is breathtaking. The storyline, of a happy family whose home in stunning natural surroundings is deluged by a storm and ensuing flood, is an emotional one. The family leaves home in the face of the coming storm, only to return afterwards to find their house and the surrounding area devastated. But rather than being tragic or heartbreaking, the tale is warm and reassuring. The family works hard with the help of others, cleaning, painting, fixing and replacing where necessary, planting trees, whatever is needed until their house is once again not just livable, but a genuine home filled with life and beauty. Children hunger for stories, not just as entertainment, but to help them understand and process their own life experiences and emotions. 'Flood' provides a remarkable tale perfectly suited to those rich and varied appetites.