The Wind May Blow

by Thomas Hegbrook, Sasha Quinton

Life doesn't always go smoothly. Sometimes, the wind may blow, but you can do hard things. This gorgeous picture book puts into words every parent's wish for their child as they face life's challenges. With peek-through pages and a gentle, lyrical text, this is a book to share and treasure.
"Exciting, heartwarming, and wise―this truly will resonate with a range of ages." ~Kirkus

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Emotion, Mental Health, Storytime, Poetry, Fiction

Hardcover

First published August 3, 2021

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this today. I'm going to read this in a storytime, and it won't be so much for the children really but more for the adults in the room who may need to hear it. This would be absolutely lovely for an adult to read to their child one-on-one as every child should hear a message this uplifting. This is a book for anybody who needs that message of hope and love. The die cuts are perfectly placed and not a gimmick which I truly appreciate. Everything about this is brilliant.

[Imogen McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is THE most gorgeous book I’ve ever brought! It really conveys the message of how important each and every child is, and also how having a bad day doesn’t mean a bad forever, as it will always pass to better days

[Brindi Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohmygosh this book. such a sweet read. Very creative and empowering. I'm not crying, you're crying.

[Emma Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wind May Blow by Sasha Quinton and Thomas Hegbrook is a book that every parent should read to their child.
Its pages are reminiscent of The Hungry Caterpillar - with its little cuts out, the illustrations are vivid and colourful and the front cover alone is one of the most beautiful covers I've seen in a long time.
The beauty of this book lies in the text and it's a book I wish I had available when my children were born. The story is told from an adult's point of view where the child is informed of the day when they were born - where 'the sun rose and kissed your toes.' It continues where the child is told that as he grows, life may not all be sunny and joyful. The book provides words of wisdom for the audience, it reminds us that when the wind blows and things aren't going our way, be still, know that you have the strength to overcome adversity, know that you have everything you need to make it through the storm. But like every storm, it must pass, and each day is a new beginning.

This book will be a wonderful addition to my classroom as there are lots of discussions that can be had about perseverance and resilience. I feel that it could not be a more perfectly timed book especially with all of the issues children may have had to endure over lockdown.

[Shauna Ludlow Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book that was recommended for helping children (really everyone) find encouragement through nature.

The illustrations are lush with cutouts, shaped pages and sweet characters. Simple story that will brighten your outlook on life.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is POWERFUL. While it does not speak directly about death, it does talk about how everyone deals with hardships... "The wind may blow,"... and you will be able to make it through these hard times and come out stronger. The illustrations are adorable, and the added cutouts/layout of the book brings an added touch of that transformation - taking something left behind and taking it with you and turning it into something new. This would be a great introductory nonfiction book for toddlers dealing with tough emotions, or for parents who may not be comfortable broaching the subject of death just yet.

"You can do hard things, and even if the waves crash... the skies plash or all hopes burn to ash, know the moon will burn much brighter for you."

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute and clever.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uplifting and hopeful—we can weather the storms with a bit of persistence, and a faithful companion makes it even better.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

This engaging and thoughtful story is a nice ode to resilience. Children are encouraged in a gentle and loving way to trust in themselves to solve life's challenges. They are capable and strong. The depiction of the child with a yellow umbrella and the use of page cutouts it's just brilliant -- the narrative is a page turner and the illustrations engage the senses. Beautifully done.

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Publisher's Spotlight. Opinions are my own.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

With clever cutouts and simple text, this is one of those picture books that may be loved by little ones, but even more so by the adults who share it.
There is drama in the illustrations and encouragement in the text, with a likelihood that it will be read, enjoyed, then perhaps pulled out on the particular occasion when it is needed most,

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this lovely and empowering picture book is ideal for sharing with an offspring, it could also function as inspiration for anyone starting out on a new venture or for a high school or college graduate. After all, even though we might wish for smooth sailing through life with nary a challenging moment or a detour, that hope is unrealistic. The illustrations are filled with soft colors and movement, and the text and images transform from sunny days and placid moments filled with roses to fierce winds threatening to blow someone off course. But because of those earlier supportive moments, the character is assured that he/she/they has the inner strength to deal with things that are hard and seem insurmountable and no matter how low someone might feel, eventually that person will be able to rise up once more. What an empowering message nestled within affirming lines and sumptuous illustrations that fill each page. The book features a clever design too with cutouts of various shapes, including a circle and semicircle, on several pages and allow readers to focus on important messages. There is no need to fear the wind, after all, but just rest assured that you are prepared to face it and come out of that stormy weather just fine.

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and with page cut-outs it makes the text extra fun.

There are a couple award phrasing moments like the moon "burn[ing] bright" or "you may fight to breathe" which seems overly intense and scary for children especially when that's followed up with "On that day be still, breathe." Which as an adult I understand she is trying to remind the audience to pause and breathe to think of solutions and regulate, but to a child it sounds like you were just dying a moment ago.

I overall really do love the message though and think that this is a great book along with discussion.

[Jeannie Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought two of these as Christmas presents for grandchildren in two different households. It’s a beautifully illustrated book and laid out artfully to keep even bigger kids (and adults) interested. The words are lyrical and bring an immeasurable amount of hope to the reader.

I’d recommend this book as a family read-a-long, or bedtime and story time book.

This would also be a great book to have on hand to read in times of despair, either personal, family or in the world.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Preschool+
Mental Health: Working through struggle

A child struggles against blowing winds, pelting rain, and crashing waves to reach a place of peace. Although the elements are against the child, the narrator's reassuring words and the child's persistence lead to a happy ending.

The cut out pages throughout the book are especially unique and intriguing, giving this book a boost above other inspirational picture books.

[Amanda Batarseh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how the pages were designed. they had cut outs so you can see the words in other pages while also making sense to that same page. I also really love the message. its an inspiration for kids to read while they might be going through a tough time in there life. Its a book to encourage kids to keep going and get up everyday and know they have the strength to do it.

[Corrine Krumenacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wind May Blow is a beautiful story with an inspiring and uplifting message. The illustrations are amazing and truly unique. This is an exquisite children’s book and is one to be cherished by people of all ages! Hats off to Sasha and Thomas for creating this! I plan to buy multiple copies to share with others!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wind May Blow beautifully merges text, illustrations, and design elements (well-placed cutouts on most pages) to craft a timely message of persevering through difficult times with the hope that better days will come.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story with an inspirational message to weather storms and do hard things, even when they seem impossible. I particularly love the page cut-outs that overlay text and image from one page to another.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book that reminds us that though the wind may blow and bad things sometimes happen, we are strong enough to make it through. I love the lyrical text and peek-thru illustrations as well. An uplifting and loving message.

[Jana Henderson (Reviews from the Stacks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not crying, you're crying. This might be the best book I've read so far this year, and it's a picture book!

Absolutely beautiful, heartwarming, and encouraging. Even though it's a picture book this would make a great high school graduation gift.

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was lovely, though I didn't at first realise how I was meant to read some of it because there were ripped holes as well as intentional holes in all the pages (ah the joys of the library books lol).

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great message with beautiful illustrations. My only critique is that young children will have a hard time understanding the message because of the slightly poetic delivery and how the characters’ conflicts are only vague representations of the message.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art and the design of this book were very clever. The words, however, fell flat with me. If you don't have God, you don't have what you need to get through. In the darkest moments of my life, I did not get myself through. God did.

[A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gently affirming message and exceptionally well placed die cuts hit all the right notes in this story about finding your inner strength when times get tough. An excellent fit for SEL curricula.

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful, evocative and well-engineered with an important message for resilience

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can think of a few people who will be getting this as a gift. I LOVED IT. Picture books can make you cry, and they are just beautiful when they do.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just beautiful.

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for everyone <3

[Angela]

"The wild wind may blow you low. You may fight to breathe."