Picture Book (see page count)
Ages 8 and up
240 pages
By Michèle Lemieux
Kids Can Press
1996
The first time I read Stormy Night I was stunned. This was exactly the kind of book I wish I’d seen when I was a child, but one I still very much needed to see as an adult. The ideas raised and questions asked can sometimes be unnerving but the whimsical art is comforting and the overall tone is uplifting and encouraging. Profoundly addressing questions of self and the world around us, this book is a necessary reminder that we are never alone.
Stormy Night is not a typical picture book in format or content. It’s two hundred and forty pages long and 5.75 by 8.5 inches, an unconventional trim size. The text is sparse and largely philosophical, interspersing unanswerable questions with expressions of delight, despair, confusion and curiosity.
Beautifully rendered in black and white, the art perfectly complements the text in mood and tone. Some illustrations are full spreads, saturating the reader’s feelings. Other illustrations convey the enormity of life with only a small, understated line drawing.
The book opens with a storm brewing outside; inside a young girl is getting ready for bed. Her dog is by her side. The first text appears several pages in:
“I can’t sleep! Too many questions are buzzing through my head.”
The young girl, lying awake in her bed, ponders questions of science, of self and of life.
“Where do we come from?”
“Who am I?”
“Sometimes I feel like I don’t fit in my body!”
She expresses feelings of joy, sadness, anger and uncertainty.
“I’d like to be able to do things no one else can do…”
“What exactly is fate?”
At the closing of this book our young thinker, finally able to sleep, curls up with her dog and a new and beautiful day dawns outside.
This perfect little package of a book is an absolute treasure and a must have for every library. It offers comfort to children, and reassurance to adults, that we are not alone—that the questions and feelings swirling around in our heads are normal, natural and universal.
the Painted Apron said,
January 22, 2013 @ 3:47 am
I must have this book for my grandson! He is four but acts like he is much older {most of the time!} These are the questions he ponders already! I am so glad I came to visit!
cramercare said,
January 22, 2013 @ 3:37 am
This is so beautiful. I wish I had had this book as a child. You also presented it so well! This is a beautiful blog.
chinaheather said,
January 16, 2013 @ 3:43 pm
So glad you posted this! I would have loved that book as a child too, I was a deep thinker and didn’t have anywhere to explore those thoughts. I now have a 6 year old son who is just the same. He wants to have long conversations about science and death and the universe. For kids like that/me it isn’t dark, it’s a relief that the already murky ponderings are understood and are also experienced by others. Thank you!
TurtleAndRobot said,
January 16, 2013 @ 3:54 pm
I feel exactly the same. This would have been such a good book for me as a kid. It was a good book for me to find as an adult too!
farmfreshfoodie said,
January 16, 2013 @ 1:22 am
What a great book to teach the comprehension strategy of asking deep questions (and seeking answers) as you read. I’m a reading teacher, and can’t believe I didn’t know this book existed. Thanks for introducing me to it!
Gabi Coatsworth said,
December 4, 2012 @ 12:16 pm
For what age child would you recommend this?
TurtleAndRobot said,
December 4, 2012 @ 1:41 pm
I’ve listed it for 8 and up but I think a younger child could enjoy it as well; perhaps as young as 5 or 6, depending on the child.
steven1111 said,
December 2, 2012 @ 8:30 pm
It’s great to see such deep subjects explored in a “children’s ” book. I think they often understand these things better than we adult do because they’re not yet conditioned to a response. Thanks for liking my posts and for sharing this book with us. You sound like you’ve maintained your child like wonder for all things in the world yourself. It’s cool to see.
landacrystal said,
December 2, 2012 @ 1:20 am
Just one word … AWESOME !
Felt so identified
alycevayle said,
November 20, 2012 @ 11:09 pm
What an intersting book! I agree – I wish I had been read something like this as a little kid – thanks!
Alison said,
November 17, 2012 @ 7:58 pm
Wow, I had forgotten all about this book. I read it years ago when wandering around my college’s library looking for inspiration on my final design project. That was when I thought I would never have kids, and reflecting on it, it’s probably one of the many small things that made me wonder if having one wouldn’t be pretty swell after all. (Another was The Time Traveler’s Wife.)
amberisonfire said,
November 17, 2012 @ 6:50 pm
Thank you! This book seems to be exactly the kind of book I’ve been looking for, for my son.
Posky said,
November 15, 2012 @ 5:17 pm
I had been working on illustrating a children’s book for a while now and sort of wondered if anyone would ever publish a book done entirely ink black and white ink. Now I know.
I’ll probably snag this one from a library to read.
maguire522 said,
November 15, 2012 @ 3:49 pm
great stories – makes you wanna be a kid again
lifeonwry.com said,
November 13, 2012 @ 5:28 pm
Such perfect timing for me to read this and find this book for my son. Thank you.
rightfromthestart said,
November 13, 2012 @ 4:55 pm
I love your site, thanks so much for introducing me to some new and beautiful books for children.
happyfamilyorbust said,
November 12, 2012 @ 2:41 pm
I’m so glad I’ve been introduced to your site – this book looks perfect for both of my kids (and maybe me).
jackcurtis said,
November 12, 2012 @ 3:03 am
Good questions those, for some 6,000 years we know of, but we’re still fighting over the answers, right?
gardengrapevine said,
November 12, 2012 @ 12:12 am
Sounds like a wonderful book. My children are grown and not parents themselves yet, but have nephews and nieces to pass this on to, so rest assured I will.
I am a great bookie and had many many books for our kids and then you get out of the loop when they’re pas being read to.
Thanks for the post.
Julie
menomama3 said,
November 11, 2012 @ 10:07 pm
Adding that to my Christmas wish list. I might even give it to someone. I thoroughly enjoy your book reviews. Thank you.
stockdalewolfe said,
November 11, 2012 @ 12:25 am
I bought your book for my husband today for Christmas and can’t wait to see it myself!!
TurtleAndRobot said,
November 11, 2012 @ 2:05 pm
Wonderful! I adore this book and find it a great comfort myself. I hope you both enjoy it!
Margaret Lynette Sharp said,
November 10, 2012 @ 1:27 am
This sounds like an ideal book for children. I hope you can spread the word…..
Raven Corwin, aka Meggie said,
November 9, 2012 @ 5:59 pm
Never heard of this book, but it’s definitely one I would be interested to read. Shared this on my FB for all of my friends who would like it, too. I’m glad to have found your article!
Mazigrace said,
November 9, 2012 @ 2:50 am
Looks like I oughta put this one on my wish list. Thanks for sharing.
kjwinston said,
November 8, 2012 @ 7:48 pm
Those illustrations are enchanting, thank you for showing them. I may have to run out and buy this book – despite having no kids!
quiteserine said,
November 8, 2012 @ 2:07 pm
Reblogged this on leave me gently.
despoticloset said,
November 5, 2012 @ 11:44 pm
This looks so wonderful and just the ticket for my sensitive and precocious 9 year old! I’m putting it on her Christmas list right now! I’m a book nut and my fondest hope is that my girls grow up with the same deep love and respect for literature that their mom has. Great blog!
TurtleAndRobot said,
November 6, 2012 @ 12:20 am
Thank you! I have no doubt that your girls will share your love of reading as you are clearly fostering such feelings.