The Storm (The Lighthouse Family) [Hardcover]

Cynthia Rylant (Author), Preston McDaniels (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002 | Series: Lighthouse Family

Life with just the sea can be lonely. Just ask Pandora or Seabold. They've lived most of their lives with the sea, and they're quite used to being alone. Or they were. But one extraordinary day, the same sea that brought Pandora and Seabold together gave them the ingredients for an adventure that neither of them had considered before -- an adventure called "family."

Written by Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant in her exceptionally soothing prose, and featuring the tender yet striking illustrations of Preston McDaniels, The Lighthouse Family: The Storm is a thoughtful and reassuring reminder of what it means to be part of a family, one destined to become part of your family for years to come.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It's smooth sailing for Rylant's (the Henry and Mudge series) sweet, sea-inspired tale, first in a new series 0f early chapter book readers. Pandora the cat has weathered her share of rough waters, but for the past four years she has enjoyed her dream job as lighthouse keeper. Even so, she is a little weary of the isolation that comes with it. When a violent storm shipwrecks a sailor dog named Seabold practically on her beacon's doorstep, Pandora's life changes for the better. She and Seabold become great friends and caring companions. Together they take in a trio of orphaned mice, fulfilling the prophecy of the series name. The imminently likable characters magnify the cozy theme that families come in all configurations. With short chapters and the occasional dramatic moment, the text will keep young readers turning the pages and on the lookout for future titles in the series. Final artwork not seen by PW. Ages 6-10.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-Pandora the cat is a lighthouse keeper, a lonely avocation until Seabold the dog is washed up on shore during a terrible winter storm. She rescues and nurses him back to health, and he is content to remain for a long winter's respite from his travels in the no-longer lonely lighthouse. "Pandora and Seabold told each other stories of their lives and things they had read or seen and what they liked most in the world, or least." Through spring and summer, the two friends share a life, and "Everything at the lighthouse is different." But as September approaches, Seabold readies his boat to return to the sea, and "Pandora felt a small emptiness in her heart." One early fall day, a fierce storm blows in, and with it comes a small, strange vessel. Seabold rescues its occupants, three tiny orphan mice, and Pandora nurses them back to health. They join the dog and cat at the lighthouse, "And after that day, everything was changed.- The lighthouse had a family." This kindhearted Victorian tale, with charming illustrations reminiscent of the work of Beatrix Potter, offers up just enough danger to save it from outright mawkishness. The Storm will captivate young chapter-book readers.
Dona Ratterree, New York City Public Schools
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1st edition (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689848803
• ISBN-13: 978-0689848803
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,346,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cynthia Rylant is the author of numerous distinguished novels and picture books for young readers. In addition to her beginning-reader series: Henry and Mudge, Poppleton, and Mr. Putter and Tabby, as well as her Cobble Street Cousins early-chapter series, she is also the author of the Newbery Medal-winning Missing May, the Newbery Honor Book A Fine White Dust, and two Caldecott Honor-winning picture books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars cynthia rylant fans!, January 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Storm (The Lighthouse Family) (Hardcover)

We love all of Cynthia Rylant's books and series of books, and The Lighthouse Family series is our new favorite! We are anxious to read the next book as soon as it comes out so we can know what happens to Pandora the cat, Seabold the dog and their three little mice children. Rylant uses wonderful words in her books, painting a beautiful story of words. (the illustrations in this book are beautiful too!) This is for a little older readers than her Mr. Putter and Tabby, Henry and Mudge, Poppleton, or Little Whistle series, ALL of which I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All you need is love to ride "the storm", February 23, 2008

By 

Judy K. Polhemus "Book Collector" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Storm (The Lighthouse Family) (Paperback)

"The Storm" by Cynthia Rylant is one of the most joyful stories a writer could ever put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to write. Finding Preston McDaniels to illustrate is probably a sign from heaven that this book was meant to be. It is perfect. That simple: "The Storm" is perfect. Because this is a ready-for-chapters book, a beginning reader has the story to practice reading skills. As a bonus, the story is didactic in teaching that solitude comes with a price and that friendship heals loneliness. Even if the young reader does not understand these concepts on a conscious level, surely the subconscious makes that registration.

The adult cannot miss the themes of solitude and friendship and what each bring. This is one of those books that I would like to stand in the foyer of Wal-Mart and hand out to everyone who leaves. Rylant has a soft touch, a magical way with words that go straight to the heart.

In children's books animals are often the characters. Why, you may ask? Studies explain the psychological use and also why they dress as humans. The first main character is Pandora, a cat who has accepted the loneliness that goes with living in a lighthouse, but her sole purpose in life is saving ships from crashing on the rocks. Enter Seabold, a loner dog who loves to sail the seas, who finds safe harbor one stormy night in the seas near Pandora's lighthouse. A dog and a cat living in the same house is difficult at first. He is a salty, crusty old dog, she is neat and tidy, a follower of rules. Their family is made complete with the rescue of three little mice.

Think of it: how incongruous it is that three such disparate sets of persons could make a happy home, but they do. This statement may be a spoiler, but it is not. It is not the make up of the family that this story is about; rather, it is about love and acceptance and kindness and generosity of spirit. Mostly, it is about the magic of love in transforming people, in making them human.

See what I mean. This book needs to be handed out at Wal-Mart. Pay it forward, make the world better. Another of Rylant's magically worded books is "Missing May," a Newbury Award winner. "The Storm" is the first in her Lighthouse Family series. Very highly recommended!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars an adorable book for 5-8 year olds, April 16, 2006

By 

puff (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Storm (The Lighthouse Family) (Paperback)

The is the first book I have read my Rylant. Being a fan of lighthouses and children's books, I had to check this one out once I saw the cover. I was very impressed. The story is about 2 lonely animals,an adorable sheepdog and kitty cat, who love the sea and develop a deep friendship. They decide to tend a lighthouse together. The illustrations are some of the best I have seen in kids' books. This is definitely a cozy read for bedtime.