PreSchool-A story of one family's experience when Hurricane Bob, an actual category-two hurricane in 1991, swept up the coast, leaving destruction and debris in its wake. Preparations beforehand and the experiencing of the storm's force from the snugness of home are related from a child's point of view. Exploring the beach the next day yields unexpected treasures and remnants of the raging winds and rains. Soft, realistic watercolors depict the homey activities of the family as well as the ravages of the hurricane. Mild and reassuring, this picture book may help alleviate a youngster's fear of storms.
Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Inspired by the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Bob in 1991, this picture book uses the first-person narrative of a little girl to chronicle how one family prepared for, experienced, and survived the hurricane on Cape Cod. Demas mixes details about preparation (bringing in the wash, filling containers and the bathtub with water) with particulars more specific to life on the Cape, such as bringing in the sailboats. The writing is strong on description but short on emotion, except when the girl comments that she felt sad when the hurricane was over, "like when the circus left town." The watercolor illustrations, however, make up for the sometimes listless text. Cozy pictures of the family piecing together a puzzle in the midst of the hurricane contrast starkly with sky-and seascapes that convey the awful gathering and angry tumult of the storm. One especially telling detail is the girl's swing seat, which sails high into the air without her. A note at the end provides some fascinating information on what constitutes hurricanes, how they're named, and what warning signs to heed. Connie Fletcher
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