Thunder cake
Thunder cake - Front Cover
Thunder cake written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco is a great book to read to your children about fear. The feel of the book takes you to a different time, but it’s not so far out of reach that I could be happening today. It’s a simple read about a granddaughter and her grandma or “Babushka”.
“This is the story of how my grandma - my Babushka - helped me overcome my fear of thunderstorms.”
However, it is so much more than a common fear of thunderstorms.
Grandma looks at the horizon and knows a storm is coming and it’s time to make a Thunder Cake only they need to start now if they are to get it done in time. If they can have to ready at the exact time the storm is over them then it’s a true Thunder Cake. Grandma finds her granddaughter cowering under the bed. There is no time for hiding! It’s time to gather up the ingredients.
Prior to the hunt and gather, Grandma teaches the child that by counting she will be able to measure the distance between their home and the storm. Throughout the story, each time the lightning flashes the child counts until the thunder roars.
The child counts as she encounters each frightening situation: Nellie Peck Hen - eggs, Kick Cow - milk, Tangleweed Woods - chocolate, sugar, flour, climbing high on the trellis - the secret ingredient (you’ll have to read it to find out!), and still the lightning lit up the sky and the thunder rumbled.
It was all scary. There is something at around every corner for the child and every page turn for the reader. There is always something, even Grandma looks rather imposing with her posture and finger-pointing - she’s definitely a Grandma not to be messed with - but the child does not ever stop. She follows her Grandma to each destination through her fear.
“I’m not brave, Grandma,” I said. “I was under the bed! Remember?”
“But you got out from under it,” she answered.
The storm hits right above their home jus s the cake is perfectly baked, cooled, and completed with chocolate frosting and strawberries. As the rain poured and the windows shook from the thunder Grandma and the child smile at each other and enjoy their Thunder Cake.
“From that time on, I never feared the voice of thunder again.”
The illustrations tell a whole story within themselves! On many of the pages the child is actually mirroring the grandmother and her stance. It’s really quite sweet. As if the child thinks, if I stand like someone not afraid then I won’t be afraid. There are also a couple of Russian Orthodox icons of Jesus on the walls of their home. The calming blue of the windows, furniture, patterns on their clothes, and oversized-looking shoes make the illustrations very personal, realistic.
I love that Thunder cake is a story about overcoming fear while you are fearful. It doesn’t say to talk yourself out it, let someone else handle it, or just quit. The story pairs up a a younger person with a wiser person. Grandma is with the child every step of the way, both leading, guiding, encouraging, and comforting. Sounds a bit like the Holy Spirit to me. It’s due to this already trusted, established relationship that the child listens to her grandmother and follows. She’s still afraid. The storm doesn’t turn, it trails behind them until it’s directly over their home and still the child follows Grandma.
Definitely add this book to your library by clicking on the link of the book cover at the top and then head over to my Instagram to check out our Thunder Cake we tried out earlier this week. I’m a bit skeptical of the “secret ingredient”…we shall see!
This post contains affiliate links, meaning I’ll receive a small commission should you purchase using those links. All opinions expressed are my own. I receive no compensation for reviews.
