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Der längste Sturm
A dad and three children rebuild their fraying bonds after being confined to their home together for too long by a storm.
No one knew where the strange storm came from, or why it lasted so long. The family at the center of this timely story has to hunker down together, with no going outside - and that's hard when there's absolutely nothing to do, and everyone's getting on everyone else's nerves. One night, when the storm takes a scary turn that leaves them all in the dark, the fractured family finds a way to reconnect and face whatever the future brings, together.
No one knew where the strange storm came from, or why it lasted so long. The family at the center of this timely story has to hunker down together, with no going outside - and that's hard when there's absolutely nothing to do, and everyone's getting on everyone else's nerves. One night, when the storm takes a scary turn that leaves them all in the dark, the fractured family finds a way to reconnect and face whatever the future brings, together.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published August 31, 2021
About the author
Dan Yaccarino
115 books135 followersExhibitions of his work have been held throughout the world. He is also the creator of the animated TV Series Willa's Wild Life and Oswald.
Mr. Yaccarino lives in New York City with his wife and two children.
Mr. Yaccarino lives in New York City with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
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October 28, 2021One of my psychological anchors during the pandemic has been a remark by a medical commentator from the coronavirus early days: “This thing will have a beginning, a middle, and an end.” As months passed, it wasn’t always clear exactly which phase was happening at any given moment, but where we are today is different from where we were before. It looks and feels different, and the coronavirus data is also different. The end may not be here yet, but isn’t it a comfort to know that there will be an end?
Dan Yaccarino’s new picture book The Longest Storm (Minedition, 2021) begins like this: “A storm came to our town. It was unlike any storm we’d ever seen.” As the strange storm stays and stays, at first the narrator and his family hunker down and endure it. As the storm continues, their patience wears thin and the emotions become more intense and they begin arguing with each other. Eventually, when things are darkest, the family remembers to comfort each other as part of their emotional evolution until, at last, “one impossibly beautiful day when the storm was gone” arrives.
With The Longest Storm Dan Yaccarino gives us a parable and a metaphor that young children (and their grownups) can use to process what we have lived through since the midwinter of 2020. Readers will relate to the family’s stay-at-home journey and find comfort in knowing that however we may feel in reaction to an extreme situation is understandable and okay.
The illustrations are colorful, widely varied, and printed on matte paper that mutes the storm’s rage and feels sort of comforting to the fingers as they turn pages. Instead of presenting the family members as realistic images that might be too scary, the characters are drawn in comic-like lines that Yaccarino effectively uses to create different feelings for each individual family member. The dad’s evolving beard is especially fun to notice.
Many young readers can handle The Longest Storm on their own. The text is relatively simple, and several page spreads are wordless. Even better though, this book begs to be the read-aloud and discussion-starter that is needed right now in our homes and classrooms.
This review is cross-posted in slightly different form on my What's Not Wrong? blog.
Dan Yaccarino’s new picture book The Longest Storm (Minedition, 2021) begins like this: “A storm came to our town. It was unlike any storm we’d ever seen.” As the strange storm stays and stays, at first the narrator and his family hunker down and endure it. As the storm continues, their patience wears thin and the emotions become more intense and they begin arguing with each other. Eventually, when things are darkest, the family remembers to comfort each other as part of their emotional evolution until, at last, “one impossibly beautiful day when the storm was gone” arrives.
With The Longest Storm Dan Yaccarino gives us a parable and a metaphor that young children (and their grownups) can use to process what we have lived through since the midwinter of 2020. Readers will relate to the family’s stay-at-home journey and find comfort in knowing that however we may feel in reaction to an extreme situation is understandable and okay.
The illustrations are colorful, widely varied, and printed on matte paper that mutes the storm’s rage and feels sort of comforting to the fingers as they turn pages. Instead of presenting the family members as realistic images that might be too scary, the characters are drawn in comic-like lines that Yaccarino effectively uses to create different feelings for each individual family member. The dad’s evolving beard is especially fun to notice.
Many young readers can handle The Longest Storm on their own. The text is relatively simple, and several page spreads are wordless. Even better though, this book begs to be the read-aloud and discussion-starter that is needed right now in our homes and classrooms.
This review is cross-posted in slightly different form on my What's Not Wrong? blog.
October 13, 2023
Although this book deals with a 'long' storm I can't help but draw the conclusion that this may be addressing what we are all going through with COVID-19. A single father tries to maintain the peace in a household where three children are tired of being cooped up. As everyone starts getting on each others nerves they start to discover what it means to pull together as a family (that has differences) but who love each other very much. Great story, great art.
September 3, 2021
This picture book explores the Covid lockdown in a creative and open way that also allows it to speak to other times of darkness that families experience. Covid is shown as a storm that hits and is unlike any other storm, one that forces you to be inside for an unknown length of time. The family struggles with their new time together in a house, going from feeling strange to people getting angry and staying apart from one another. That’s when the storm rumbled and lightning struck, knocking the power out. One candle lit against the darkness brought the family together. The next morning felt different with pancakes and board games and a new way forward even though they were still caught in the storm. Then one day, the sun came out again. It was possible to go outside and start cleaning up.
As I mentioned, this picture book speaks deeply to a variety of dark times felt by a family. The family goes through a complete grief cycle on the page, allowing the book to be about the loss of a parent just as easily as it is about Covid. It’s a beautiful accomplishment of writing, speaking to the universal rather than the specific and allowing us all to see the grieving process as part of Covid too.
Yaccarino often does light-hearted titles, but this one has a lot of emotions that flow across the page. He uses color and expressions to convey many emotions from the anger of being together to the loneliness of being together but separate to the relief of finding joy in one another once more.
A powerful look at Covid and loss that will speak to all of us. Appropriate for ages 4-7.
As I mentioned, this picture book speaks deeply to a variety of dark times felt by a family. The family goes through a complete grief cycle on the page, allowing the book to be about the loss of a parent just as easily as it is about Covid. It’s a beautiful accomplishment of writing, speaking to the universal rather than the specific and allowing us all to see the grieving process as part of Covid too.
Yaccarino often does light-hearted titles, but this one has a lot of emotions that flow across the page. He uses color and expressions to convey many emotions from the anger of being together to the loneliness of being together but separate to the relief of finding joy in one another once more.
A powerful look at Covid and loss that will speak to all of us. Appropriate for ages 4-7.
April 11, 2022
Rating: 5 leaves out of 5
Characters:5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Picture Book/Children
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes
Characters:5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Picture Book/Children
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes
January 1, 2022
3.75 stars. A family stays indoors for days on end, but not because of COVID or an illness. Instead it's a storm that keeps the family indoors. What the family experiences during their time inside will remind readers who are old enough to remember of what happened to them and their families in 2020.
September 29, 2021
Synopsis: When a huge, terrible storm blows in, a family (father, doggo, three siblings) must hunker down at home to wait it out. Boredom, tedium, and isolation soon take their toll and the family find themselves starting to fracture--until the violent storm reminds them that they can be strong allies and supports to each other, especially when it comes time to repair the damage.
My Reflection: In no way does this book directly, explicitly, or even at all reference the Coronavirus Pandemic or quarantine but I'm fairly certain it's meant to be a metaphor. It works pretty well, and didn't leave me thinking "TOO SOON". I think this is a splendid book for folks to utilize to help children process and cope with...ugh. Everything.
My Reflection: In no way does this book directly, explicitly, or even at all reference the Coronavirus Pandemic or quarantine but I'm fairly certain it's meant to be a metaphor. It works pretty well, and didn't leave me thinking "TOO SOON". I think this is a splendid book for folks to utilize to help children process and cope with...ugh. Everything.
October 29, 2021
During this time some of my library friends have wondered and talked about what kinds of books will be written. How will the authors talk about this and show this to children? And then, would we even want to read these books? Will it take us years, many many many years before we even want to read these books after living through these experiences?
Yaccarino's book tells our story in a different sort of way, through a family experiencing a storm that knows no certain boundaries. I appreciated this. Somehow it made it all more bearable and I certainly could relate. I know someday our storm will end. I don't know if we are still in the middle or nearing the final stages, yet I have hope. And like the family shown here, I know that there is much to do.
Yaccarino's book tells our story in a different sort of way, through a family experiencing a storm that knows no certain boundaries. I appreciated this. Somehow it made it all more bearable and I certainly could relate. I know someday our storm will end. I don't know if we are still in the middle or nearing the final stages, yet I have hope. And like the family shown here, I know that there is much to do.
September 9, 2021
"There was nothing to do, and too much time to do it."
Three children and an adult have to find a way to put up with each other during a long, mysterious storm. This is a great read if you want to process feelings about a pandemic without actually getting into the details of that pandemic. All the characters' faces are very expressive, which helps make this a compelling read. And there's plenty of action even though they're stuck in the house. Lots to comment on and talk about here.
Three children and an adult have to find a way to put up with each other during a long, mysterious storm. This is a great read if you want to process feelings about a pandemic without actually getting into the details of that pandemic. All the characters' faces are very expressive, which helps make this a compelling read. And there's plenty of action even though they're stuck in the house. Lots to comment on and talk about here.
November 9, 2021
Although the storyline deals with family dynamics when a family of four and their dog are cooped up inside for a several-days-long storm, I couldn't help thinking that the interactions reflect some of the difficulties experienced when families experienced COVID lockdown.
My favorite illustration was the sun streaming through the windows after the storm, but there are many details to enjoy in each illustration. Love the retro-look, as well.
My favorite illustration was the sun streaming through the windows after the storm, but there are many details to enjoy in each illustration. Love the retro-look, as well.
September 7, 2021
Definitely echoes this trying, tiring COVID time in our history. There is work to be done, we are resilient, we can readjust in close quarters. There is much hope!
August 17, 2021
The Longest Storm tells the story of a small family who is stuck together inside during a terrible storm. The family members grow antagonistic with each other after being cooped up together for so long during the seemingly unrelenting storm. A frightening power outage motivates everyone to huddle together and the tension between them breaks. The storm eventually dissipates and the family begins to take a look at the destruction left by the storm and start to rebuild.
Yes, it's a beautiful metaphor for the time we are living in, but it's also a beautiful metaphor for all the storms we face in our lives.
Yes, it's a beautiful metaphor for the time we are living in, but it's also a beautiful metaphor for all the storms we face in our lives.
September 3, 2021
A book highlighting a single dad is a rarity. A family that struggles for so many reasons (temper tantrums, missing a seemingly deceased mother, a parent who remembers his children as babies) these are complex issues within this book. For that reason, I do not see children loving it. It is a book that requires explanation to the audience.
But once again, the illustrations are the impactful medium. Making it, in my opinion, another book that I could see on Caldecott shortlists.
But once again, the illustrations are the impactful medium. Making it, in my opinion, another book that I could see on Caldecott shortlists.
December 6, 2021
A family of three children, one dad, and one dog grow frustrated with their seemingly endless proximity and confinement, bickering over one thing after another when lightning flashes and they find themselves hunkering down in their home as an unexpected and dangerous storm rages outside. A nuanced, relatable family story.
September 25, 2023
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
September 7, 2021
Premise/plot: A father and his children struggle with all the many, many uncertainties of being house-bound for a long, long, long, LONG, long, long, long time. The illustrations and text tell the story of their emotional roller-coaster-like journey. It isn't so much what is going on outside the house in the midst of the storm as what is going on mentally and emotionally within the house.
My thoughts: The Longest Storm could definitely be a picture book for those aged 9 to 99. It is an abstract picture book in some ways. You could easily say it was about mental health or the importance of having coping strategies in place OR you could focus more on the relationships. You can love someone without *liking* them all that much. And relationships can have very tense moments that build and build. Life happens. There are BIG emotions. But the book also shows the importance of being kind and intentional. After all having BIG emotions doesn't make you a villain.
For those wondering...it does have a happily ever after ending tacked on at the end. This makes sense in some ways. Who wants to end a book in the middle of the storm when everything is still so unknown and uncertain? Even though in real life, the transitions from beginning, middle, and end aren't so precise and exact. When you're going through the big storms in life, it would be nice if you could just turn a page and suddenly everything be all brand new and ready to go...but life isn't like that.
My thoughts: The Longest Storm could definitely be a picture book for those aged 9 to 99. It is an abstract picture book in some ways. You could easily say it was about mental health or the importance of having coping strategies in place OR you could focus more on the relationships. You can love someone without *liking* them all that much. And relationships can have very tense moments that build and build. Life happens. There are BIG emotions. But the book also shows the importance of being kind and intentional. After all having BIG emotions doesn't make you a villain.
For those wondering...it does have a happily ever after ending tacked on at the end. This makes sense in some ways. Who wants to end a book in the middle of the storm when everything is still so unknown and uncertain? Even though in real life, the transitions from beginning, middle, and end aren't so precise and exact. When you're going through the big storms in life, it would be nice if you could just turn a page and suddenly everything be all brand new and ready to go...but life isn't like that.
September 7, 2021
Thanks to Edelweiss who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Newly published this past August 2021, Dan Yaccarino's "The Longest Storm" hits our shelves with perfect timing.
A single dad (not often seen, thank you), three children and dog prepare for the storm that blows in one day. Time passes and the storm continues to weather their patience. The family finds there is nothing to do while waiting for it to end, and in that time the idea of being "stuck" together it gnaws away at their nerves. A climactic explosion of emotions occurs sending everyone to individually spend time alone with their thoughts.
Here is where Yaccarino places another metaphor moment where the storm forces the family into total darkness. With this event, they find comfort in each other and forgiveness. Will the storm ever end? It seems as if the family has found peace in riding this one out and even though they have their squabbles, they are okay with this unanswered question.
Dan Yaccarino perfectly illustrates with the right color, almost cartoon-like images that give us a gentle sense of reality in the idea that this story mirrors our exact feelings of the pandemic. Perfect for young and old, I'd recommend "The Longest Storm" for all readers to see that we can come out on the other side - with a little work to do once we get there.
Newly published this past August 2021, Dan Yaccarino's "The Longest Storm" hits our shelves with perfect timing.
A single dad (not often seen, thank you), three children and dog prepare for the storm that blows in one day. Time passes and the storm continues to weather their patience. The family finds there is nothing to do while waiting for it to end, and in that time the idea of being "stuck" together it gnaws away at their nerves. A climactic explosion of emotions occurs sending everyone to individually spend time alone with their thoughts.
Here is where Yaccarino places another metaphor moment where the storm forces the family into total darkness. With this event, they find comfort in each other and forgiveness. Will the storm ever end? It seems as if the family has found peace in riding this one out and even though they have their squabbles, they are okay with this unanswered question.
Dan Yaccarino perfectly illustrates with the right color, almost cartoon-like images that give us a gentle sense of reality in the idea that this story mirrors our exact feelings of the pandemic. Perfect for young and old, I'd recommend "The Longest Storm" for all readers to see that we can come out on the other side - with a little work to do once we get there.
April 15, 2022
When a storm of huge proportions suddenly arrives in their town, a family - father, adolescent daughter, two younger children and a dog - find themselves forced to stay in their house for an extended amount of time. And while the storm rages outside, things begin to deteriorate inside. Soon boredom leads to fighting, then they all get sick of each other and finally dad loses it, sending the kids to their rooms. Which didn't matter anyway, since everyone wanted to be alone. But when a great rumbling is heard, one that shakes the house, and a lightning strike causes the power to go out, the family finds that the darkness may just be what they need to become a solid family again. The realistic portrayal of how things can decline under stress is so spot on in the picture book, right down to the dad getting angry at all the bickering and complaining, which is written on the body language of the kids more than in the spare text. The illustrations really carry this story, done in a palette of flat blue, yellow and black. Parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown have been made about this book, but I think it can be seen as a metaphor for any longterm stressful event in a family's life. And while we are still dealing with COVID-19, this book offers a needed glimmer of hope. Interestingly, when we talked about this book, one of my young readers said it was like have to learn English as a second language in her house, which I thought was a very insightful observation (or maybe the frustrations are what made her think of it).
September 25, 2021
This book captures everything that most families went through during the Covid-19 crisis. The illustrations are filled with emotion- and the father figure’s growing facial hair. A single parent family copes with the forced togetherness the best they can even though they wonder “is it possible for a family to run out of nice things to say?” Around a sullen looking dinner table. A sudden crisis makes an impression and creates change in their relationships and things get better, even before the sun finally comes out again. Great book for helping kids cope with the challenges of the past couple of years. This book also provides great opportunity to begin discussing the reader’s own family’ response and feelings. Sometimes it is just enough to know we are not alone in any crisis-this book will do that, too.
January 22, 2022
This book is about being stuck inside for a very long time while a storm comes through. It shows how difficult it can be to be stuck inside with your family with nothing to do. Everybody is bored. They get irritated easily with one another. Then something scary happens and they seek each other out for comfort. After that, they are able to get along better and to pass the time more easily. Eventually the storm passes and they go outside and work together to clean up.
The storm can be a metaphor for so many things. COVID isolation comes to mind for me. I love the illustrations and the color contrasts. I also love that the book depicts a single father and his children. There is no mention of a mom--the story just depicts one of the many different kinds of families that exists.
The storm can be a metaphor for so many things. COVID isolation comes to mind for me. I love the illustrations and the color contrasts. I also love that the book depicts a single father and his children. There is no mention of a mom--the story just depicts one of the many different kinds of families that exists.
July 12, 2022
What do you do when there's a pandemic? You find a way to relate what your child is going through to something they already understand - like being shut inside on a rainy day.
I liked this book a lot because it took what was a bleak and scary time and helped a child see that what they'd experienced during this lockdown was something everyone also experienced at the same time. Normalizing difficult emotions and the fears which small children might have felt during lockdown, helps them to process the experience. This book would have been especially helpful during the worst of the lockdown.
Overall, I liked this book and while I'm not glad it was needed to be written, I am glad someone thought to address this topic afterwards.
I liked this book a lot because it took what was a bleak and scary time and helped a child see that what they'd experienced during this lockdown was something everyone also experienced at the same time. Normalizing difficult emotions and the fears which small children might have felt during lockdown, helps them to process the experience. This book would have been especially helpful during the worst of the lockdown.
Overall, I liked this book and while I'm not glad it was needed to be written, I am glad someone thought to address this topic afterwards.
September 11, 2021
A single father and three children are stuck at home for a long duration because of a storm. This reminded me of the pandemic. Squabbling and fighting ensues until the power goes out. As the family huddles together in the candlelight, they admen their relationships and pulled together to get through.
Delightful artwork.
Delightful artwork.
September 8, 2021
What a cute way to explain to kids about being in quarantine.
October 14, 2021
Cute, simple story that touches on aspects of pandemic life. Loved the illustrations!
October 15, 2021
Worth reading solely for the great art.
October 16, 2021
COVID? brings out the details... Caldecott 2022?
March 9, 2022
The storm in the story, and the family having to stay indoor for an extended period of time, might be a metaphor for the Covid "pandemic."
September 29, 2021
Stuck in their house with no place to go, a family slowly learns how to reconnect with one another to become a supportive family unit once again.
August 31, 2021
Good for SEL, generic story about having to stay inside and deal with family members, boredom, negative feelings, wanting to be alone - ambiguous time lapse
August 31, 2021
Loved it!
August 28, 2021
This may be a small picture book, but there is a lot of meat here. Be sure to leave plenty of time for conversation.
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