Congratulations on the publication of BENJAMIN’S THUNDERSTORM by Melanie Florence, illustrated by Hawlii Pichette, today from Kids Can Press!
A thunderstorm evokes a boy’s family traditions, in this rainy-day story from award-winning author Melanie Florence.
Benjamin loves the rain. He loves splashing through puddles in his bright yellow rain boots and watching the colors of a rainbow in the water as they ripple around his feet. But most of all, Benjamin loves thunder. To him, thunder – piyêsiwak – sounds like his grandfather’s drum. It calls to him, like the songs his grandfather plays while his father and other powwow dancers spin and step in time to the drumbeat. As Benjamin hears the thunder rumble overhead, he imagines himself as a powwow dancer. He spins, he taps his feet and he lifts his knees. Faster and faster he twirls, delighted by and filled with the rhythm of piyêsiwak.
This artfully written story from award-winning author Melanie Florence celebrates both the universal joys of playing in the rain and the connections to family traditions that center and ground us. Elements of Cree powwow culture and Cree words for colors and weather are interwoven into the story, with a pronunciation guide in the back matter. The vibrant and eye-catching art by Hawlii Pichette, inspired by the scenery of northern Ontario, adds drama to the pages. This inviting picture book makes a perfect read-aloud for a rainy day, as well as an excellent introduction to Cree cultural traditions, local communities and experiencing nature firsthand.
Melanie Florence is an award-winning writer of Cree and Scottish heritage based in Toronto. She was close to her grandfather as a child, a relationship that sparked her interest in writing about Aboriginal themes and characters.
She is the author of MISSING NIMAMA, which won the 2016 TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, the 2017 Forest of Reading Golden Oak Award and was a finalist for the 2017 First Nation Communities READ award. Her picture book, STOLEN WORDS, won the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award and was given a starred review by Kirkus, who listed it as one of the best picture books of 2017 to give readers strength. Her other books include RIGHTING CANADA’S WRONGS: RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS and the teen novels HE WHO DREAMS, THE MISSING, ONE NIGHT, and REZ RUNAWAY.
In her spare time, Melanie watches Doctor Who and searches for the perfect horror film, debates the DC vs Marvel Universes and spends as much time as possible singing show tunes and trying not to trip over things. She lives in Toronto with her husband and their two children.
Melanie is represented by Amy Tompkins.
Congratulations Melanie!