Lorraine: The Girl Who Sang the Storm Away

by Ketch Secor, Higgins Bond (Illustrator)

"Who needs a whistle or some shiny thing
when you've got a voice and a song that can sing!

Lorraine and her Pa Paw spend their days celebrating life with the music of the Tennessee hills. With Pa Paw's harmonica and Lorraine's pennywhistle, the pair can face just about anything. But when a fearsome storm rolls in and their instruments are nowhere to be found, can Lorraine find the music inside herself to get them through?

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Childrens, African American, Storytime, Animals, Nature

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 2, 2018

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sincere thanks to Sourcebooks Jabberwocky , the Author, Ketch Secor and Edelweiss for providing the e-galley for my honest review. Published October 2, 2018.

A poetic story well told, a story of togetherness, a story to dispel fear and a story with beautiful illustrations.

Author Ketch Secor Ketch Secor is a Grammy winning musician as well as the founder of Old Crow Medicine Show. Be certain to check him out on youtube.

[Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully illustrated book full of color and catchy rhymes. It was wordy, but younger children will maintain interest through the pictures alone. For beginning readers it has a good balance of easy and challenging. The diversity is definitely a plus. Recommended for libraries, classrooms, and private collections.

This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book written in singsong poetry style. Ketch Secor is a musician who loves music and considers it am important part of life. Lorraine and her Pa Paw play music together, he on his harmonica, she on her penny whistle. When a storm is coming, Lorraine is worried. They want to play music to help them get through the situation, but their instruments are gone. Lorraine does not know what to do until Pa Paw tells her that she can always sing with her beautiful voice. When the storm is over, they find their instruments and many other metal objects in a tree that has fallen over, all hidden by the neighbourhood crow. A very easy book to read and I tried to sing this story to the kids when I was reading it to them. They also tried to sing with me. A great story for a music class about the importance of music to the world. The illustrations were large, realistic and added a lot to the story. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love that we've got this book. Love the crow, and the music, and the bond between the girl and her grandfather. The illustrations are indeed beautiful. But 1. I don't know why the characters didn't know that the crow was the thief - everyone knows they like shiny things, and 2. I don't know why Lorraine is always wearing such pretty, very impractical dresses. Minor questions, but they took me out of the story to the point where I just didn't feel moved by it. I do still recommend it, however, especially to everyone who is scared of thunderstorms.

Btw, it would be awesome if there were a youtube channel for the songs they sing.

[LauraW · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would love to have loved this one more. It has a lovely theme and some nice images, but it seems a bit superficial. I was waiting for a bit more depth and the ending wasn't quite enough.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give the book overall 3.5. The story was just Ok for me but the illustrations alone are 5 Stars. I really loved that the characters look alive and artist used portrait techniques. Beautifully done.

[Urbandale Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was floored by the stunning illustrations in this book. Two award-winning artists collaborated for this picture book about courage and music between a little girl and her Pa Paw. A fierce thunderstorm, missing instruments, and a slightly mischievous crow leave Lorraine feeling small and scared. But Pa Paw reminds her that music is within her at all times. A rhythmic story filled with beautiful illustrations that is sure to please.-UPL Library Staff

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork in this book is gorgeous. I liked the story, and being really fond of crows I especially liked their role in this story :D It was cute, and enjoyable. I think song lyrics or dances would enchance this book if they were added in the back. This would be a bit long for Storytime, but would work with some dance/ activity breaks. Nice flow.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Preschool-1st grade
Animal: Crow
Family: Granddaughter & grandpa
Location: Tennessee, farm land
Music: Wind instruments, vocals

Fantastic acrylic paintings illustrate Lorraine and Pa Paw's music-filled life. Then a mysterious thief starts to filch random shiny objects until he steels their most beloved possessions: Pa Paw's harmonica and Lorraine's penny whistle. As a tempest rages outside and fear grips Lorraine, Pa Paw let's her know that "A tempest could tear this whole homeplace apart, but it can't touch the music that's deep in your heart!" Even without their instruments, they begin to fill the house with their singing. After "proving" their spirits can survive without their objects, the trickster crow returns all that he stole.

The story is enchanting, the character's love for each other is heart-warming, and the illustrations are perfect for a classroom or a snuggly lapsit. The mystery and somewhat murky ending will lead to fun follow-up questions at the end for the grade school kids.

[Terena Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best children's book I've read in a very long time. Perhaps it's because I grew up in the culture this book depicts, one that is quickly disappearing. The story's about a little girl who doesn't have much -- just her music and her grandfather -- until one day her instrument disappears. Trying to avoid spoilers, when the storm comes, she learns music is in her heart.

First, the illustrations are *wonderful*. LORRAINE is a Caldecott contender. The colors and the sheet music overlays are magnificent. But the writing itself, as I mentioned, depicts a culture we're losing -- and the values (self-sufficiency, joy) that we're losing with it. Children need to see themselves in fiction and this includes rural children, too. That's why, after reading, I donated my ARC (thank you Sourcebooks) to an elementary school library in Kentucky. This book is too wonderful to be owned by just one child -- it should read by many children.

[Michelle Boyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lorraine is a young girl living with her grandfather in rural Tennessee on a farm. The pair spend the day doing chores, talking about family, but they spend a great deal of time playing different types of music and singing. Lorraine realizes that her trinkets and instruments start going missing around the time a black raven shows up. After a long storm, a large tree falls over, revealing where the raven hid all of the objects. Lorraine and her grandfather sing and dance to celebrate.

This book was interesting in that it used some Tennessee-based language. At first, I wondered if this language usage was the proper choice but then realized that there are plenty of youth that use these phrases and words. Jig, for example, is not a word that I would use – however, that does not mean that it is poor word choice. So, as an adult, I learned something about my own preconceived notions from this book.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, sweetly written book. The story made me wonder what Wilder would have done if she'd made her books for younger kids, also made me think it an untold Patricia MacLachlan story.
The art though, i don't know Higgins Bond and i don't why - her work is gorgeous! Looking at Amazon and Peachtree she seems to do only animal books but people who collect EB Lewis will want to collect her work. What a great Christmas gift to give reminding us in middle of winter there will be spring and summer!
The type face is right out of Virginia Lee Burton and is as much a part as the writing and the art.

Not a stroke is wasted in this book.

This was sent to me by NetGalley. The only criticism i have is i read it on a Kindle and came like a broken up jigsaw puzzle, i assume this the fault of my loading it, not Kindle or SourceBooks.

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic acrylic paintings illustrate Lorraine and Pa Paw's music-filled life. Then a mysterious thief starts to filch random shiny objects until he steels their most beloved possessions: Pa Paw's harmonica and Lorraine's penny whistle. As a tempest rages outside and fear grips Lorraine, Pa Paw let's her know that "A tempest could tear this whole homeplace apart, but it can't touch the music that's deep in your heart!" Even without their instruments, they begin to fill the house with their singing.

The story is enchanting, the character's love for each other is heart-warming, and the illustrations are perfect for a classroom or a snuggly lapsit. The mystery and somewhat murky ending will lead to fun follow-up questions at the end for the grade school kids.

Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight it was to open this beautifully illustrated book. Before reading the story I just had to marvel at the drawings, page by page. Absolutely gorgeous. Then back to the beginning to read the story. Lorraine and her grandfather live on a farm in Tennessee. In the evenings they love to sit on the front steps and make music. But when their instruments vanish can they still make music? It is a heart-warming story of music and family.

"Who needs a whistle or some shiny thing
when you've got a voice and a song that can sing!

The author Ketch Secor is the founder of Old Crow Medicine Show and a Grammy-winning musician. Higgins Bond is an Ashley Bryan Award-winning illustrator.

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Jabberwocky Kids for the advance copy.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A musical rhyming romp about a girl who lives with her grandfather on a farm in Tennessee. They sang together through the days until one night when a storm was raging outside. Lorraine, the young girl, was scared but her grandfather helped her find her courage through song & dance. Even though there is a mystery about where their instruments have gone, the two manage to chase the storm away! The author, Ketch Secor, is the founder of the Grammy Award-winning group The Crow Medicine Show. The illustrator, Higgins Bond, is the first African American woman commissioned by the USPS to create original work of art for postage stamps. She has also won the 2009 Ashley Bryan Award for outstanding contribution to children's literature. She based the main character on her own granddaughter! Gorgeous illustrations compliment the musical text that flows through this picture book for ages 3-9.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderfully illustrated children's story filled with the rollicking rhyme of Tennessee country that made you feel like you were right there along with Lorraine. Lorraine played a whistle and PaPaw, whom she lived with, played the harp, and they loved making music, singing, and dancing. But when a crow enters their life, things begin disappearing, and bad weather hits, can Lorraine sing the storms away and bring back their happy days?

This would be a great read for little ones with it's beautiful pictures and wonderful rhyme and easy enough for an early elementary to read to themselves over and over. I especially loved that the young girl was named Lorraine just like me!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your school is full of song and wonder, this book is for you! Lorraine loves to make music with her Pa Pa and uses music to weather any storm. One day she finds their shiny instruments are gone while a tornado approaches. No worries as the family sings with their beautiful voices to scare away the ugliness and fear brought on by that storm. Higgins Bond's illustrations are a perfect match to the rhyming text of this book. The ending is a bit expected, but equally loving and warm as the rest of this book.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a young girl, Lorraine, and her Pa Paw who use music to lift their spirits. One day their instruments go missing along with all the shiny things around the house and farm. With a fearsome storm approaching, Lorraine wonders if she has the power in her to sing the storm away. Once the storm passed, Pa Paw notices that an old tree had come down in the storm and inside the tree were all of the shiny things that went missing. Story of perseverance and love can overcome any obstacle.

[Anna Blackwelder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an inspiring story about a little girl and her grandfather. The storyline is a great way to show kids that you have to make the most out of situations and to be adaptable. The crow stole Lorraine's penny whistle and her pa paw's French harp. He encouraged her to create music with her voice and she could sing the storm and her worries away. The illustrations are beautiful, might I add.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bond's illustrations are lovely and bring more energy to the book. Secor's text pulls readers in to see the one type of music of Tennessee. Lorraine and her grandfather live alone in the hills. Together, they make music to celebrate successes and lift their spirits when things go wrong. Their love flows through the entire book. When things go missing, they are not sure who is taking them; readers may be able to guess quickly based on the new friend who comes by.
A great read aloud.

[Critterbee❇ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lorraine is a cute picture book filled with love, music, mystery and a scary storm. The story was a bit disjointed and patchwork, but overall positive. Some of the illustrations were quite lovely, and others seemed like characters against a green screen. I did like the ending, although it was a little predictable.

*eARC Netgalley*

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this the most because the illustrations let you suspect an animal taking shiny things, but it wasn't in the text but in the illustrations about the crow's "mischievous grin." Haven't read it aloud to kids, but the rhymes do not seem at all forced. I can see a music teacher creating music and having kids act this one out. Lovely.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a digital review copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A cute, lyrical story written in rhyming verse. The illustrations are lovely and really add some extra elements to the story that aren't explicitly written in the text (for example, the mischievous crow). Overall, the story is cheery and inspires a love of music.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story about Lorraine and her grandfather making music to make friends and overcome their fears. The rhyme scheme was fun and I thought the illustrations were nice. This would be a cute read aloud.

I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

10/15/018 ~~ Themes: Family, music, staying brave in the face of a tornado, mischievous animals (crows).

Lovely illustrations. Some of the dialogue and other text threw me out of the story; I couldn't get the cadence right.

Why I read this book: Interview on NPR Morning Edition:
https://www.npr.org/2018/10/09/654069...

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using slightly longer than usual picture book text, written in a rhyming style suited to lyrics with near- rhyme and occasional missteps in meter, this tale of a musical, multi-generational relationship is gorgeously illustrated and charmingly told. The story-within-a-story of the crow enthralled with music and shiny things adds a layer of mystery and humor to a warmhearted tale.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lorraine and her Pa Paw spend their days making music together, her on her penny whistle, and him on his harmonica. But suddenly their instruments are missing, and during a raging storm without their instruments to help them get through the storm, they begin to use their voices to lift up their spirits through song.

[Alida · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are so, so joyful that they drew me in. There were no animals in the cover and it's a story about people, yet I read the book because of Ms. Bond. That's the power of an illustrator!! And it all fairness, I gotta say that once I started reading, Mr. Secor's words were pretty good.

[Amanda up North · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ketch Secor is the Grammy award winning musician / founder of Old Crow Medicine Show. His rhyming, lyrical picture book is rich in offerings: Music, nature, Appalachian culture, familial bonds, the idea of making music to get you through the rough times (singing the storm away).
I enjoyed reading this one aloud.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! This story is about a girl, her grandfather, and a mischievous crow. I loved the relationship between the girl and her grandfather and their love of music. This is a longer story but it has lots of action words that make the story come to live. I would recommend this book for an upper elementary read aloud.