Customer Reviews

When The Wind Stops

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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I found this to be a beautifully written & illustrated book about the renewal of each day. The story begins with a little boy sad to see the day end and his mother explaining to him that the day ends so night can begin. . . The prose is soothing and imaginative . . . the message is about how they day can end for you, but it begins again in another place for someone else. . . it seems to me to be a gentle way of talking about letting go. . . letting go of the day, of the season, of the wind, of things, so that these things can carry on in a different way. I think it is a great way for a child to begin to understand about the finite nature of life. Also, is addresses the immediate and strong feeling of my toddler of NO NIGHT NIGHTS!!! The prose is so soothing and imaginative it actually lulled my child to sleep. The illustrations are colorful and beautiful. An EXCELLENT book.

"When the Wind Stops" has a very simple beginning. After a day in which the great bright yellow sun has been shining all day the sun is getting ready to sink beneath the horizon. But as the day is coming to an end a little boy is sorry to see the day end. We learn of some of the simple things he did during the day, playing with his friend in a garden and listening to his father read him a story, and when his mother come to say good night the little boy asks, "Why does the day have to end?" Author Charlotte Zolotow ("Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present," "William's Doll") provides the answer to that eternal question and others in a similar vein in lyrical prose.

The simple answer, of course, is that the day does not end but begins somewhere else. Not only the sun but the wind and the mountain tops, the waves and the rain, are all presented as being parts of the great cycle of life. One day the little boys and girls who ask such questions will be taking science courses and will receive more detailed explanations for the changing of the seasons, the water cycle, and other natural cycles. But in "When the Wind Stops" they will find the same grand ideas expressed in simple and lyrical terms. The stunning paintings by Stafano Vitale ("The Folks in the Valley: A Pennsylvania Dutch ABC," "Christmas Lullaby") are done on wood, adding a lovely dimension to this exquisite little book that will charm inquisite children and their caring parents alike.

In easy language with good illustrations, this book will help children to understand why the day has to end, where the wind goes when it stops, where the waves go when they break on the sand, where does the rain go, etc.

The story flows like a poem, yet offers insight into complex concpets, and demonstrates life's eternal evolution and motion.

I can't say enough about this beautiful book. In fact, if I sound like I'm gushing, it's only because I'm completely in love with it. Zolotow's prose is lovely and lyrical, and Vitale's illustrations are gorgeous--dynamic and colorful, with enormous attention to detail, whimsical, and engaging; the use of paint on wood makes them all the more unique and reinforces the nature themes of the story. My two and a half year old son thoroughly enjoys looking at the many facets of each illustration.

To put it plainly, this is no dry exposition of the seasons and the earth's rotation--it is a gently spiritual book that uses the facts of ecology to point to the Eternal and, also indirectly, to the active benevolence of the Universe. If the reader so desired, this book could be used as a springboard to discussions about reincarnation or the continuance of the Spirit. Even leaving all that alone, this book makes a wonderful statement about the loveliness of nature and the impermanence of all states of being. Plus, it reassures children that bedtime and sleep are just as natural as morning and waking time, and just as important and lovely in the grand scheme of things. Now THAT'S beautiful!

My very first thought after reading this was "Pretty pictures. Bit hippy-dippy, but I like it."

Upon closer reflection, I mostly still think that. A little boy wants to know why the sun goes down and where it goes, and is told that the sun doesn't go down so much as go shine on another side of the world. And he's told similar things about the wind, and the seasons, and the sea and so on - there's no end to any of it.

So, yes, vaguely new-agey, but I see nothing in it that could offend... well, anybody. The book would work well with anybody's sensibilities as a nice, comforting, before-bed book.

This is a wonderful book! I have been reading this to my son since he was an infant (currently 2.5). He loves the pictures & will ask to read it at bedtime. I love the story & he seems to enjoy it also.

This is a soothing, inspiring book that illustrates the truth and meaning of the eternal circle of life. It is a comfort book, and a spiritual revelation. A must for Pagan parents, and all parents. The illustrations are deep and beautiful.