Thunder Cake
Reaching once again into her rich childhood experience, Patricia Polacco tells the memorable story of how her grandma--her Babushka--helped her overcome her fear of thunder when she was a little girl. Ms. Polacco's vivid memories of her grandmother's endearing answer to a child's fear, accompanied by her bright folk-art illustrations, turn a frightening thunderstorm into an adventure and ultimately . . . a celebration!
Whether the first clap of thunder finds you buried under the bedcovers or happily anticipating the coming storm, Thunder Cake is a story that will bring new meaning and possibility to the excitement of a thunderstorm.
Reviews (176)
This used to be a favorite of my daughter's when she was a child
This used to be a favorite of my daughter's when she was a child. She gave hers away to someone who loved it just as much as she did. She died in 2009. While in the hospital I vitied the library to find a book to read to her. Imagine my surprise when I found "Thunder Cake" on the shelf. The book is about a young child afraid of the thunder storm. Granny bakes enlists the child's help in baking a cake to ease her fears. I read it to my daughtet on her last day and imagined it easing her fears a bit. Recently I decided to purchase the book to have for myself... memories. It was in perfect condition and just what my heart needed. Thank you so much.
... after our (long) walk home left us caught in bad storms on two occasions
My toddler son became very frightened of thunderstorms after our (long) walk home left us caught in bad storms on two occasions. It started to become a major worry of his that it might storm. I found this book and it worked beautifully! I knew the author from her other books and we read the book when it arrived. The pictures are charming and the story sweet and simple. My 3 year old was able to understand it easily. The next time we had a thunderstorm, we rushed to make a cake! He loved to share it with some neighbors and now talks about how wonderful thunder cake is. He still notices storms, but we recently had a major storm while we were running errands and it was no big deal! I'm still amazed how well this worked when coupled with a cooking activity at home!
Thunder Cake
I have a young niece who is a reluctant reader. For a Christmas gift last year, she received a book each month from Librarian Aunt Donna. I chose Caldecott Medal winners. She loved every book I sent to her and really got into them. She want's me to send her more. That reluctant reader is learning the joy of reading and being introduced to some wonderful books. Thunder Cake is a story about a young girl who learns how not to be afraid of thunder when her grandmother takes her around the farm to find the ingrediants to make a cake. A classic.
The next generation
I had read Thunder Cake to my children when they were 7, 9, 10. They loved the story and we actually assembled the ingredients (per the recipe in the back of the book) and made a Thunder Cake. We were so excited we couldn't wait for a thunder storm to come along..but the cake was yummy anyway! That book as long been missing as the 10 year is now 28. Fast forward and my oldest daughter is a mommy now and when gramma asked mom what the baby who will turn one, would like for her birthday....mom says "Gramma, please find Thunder Cake!"
Another fantastic Patricia Polacco book!
Rechenka's Eggs and Babushka's Doll were favorites for story time when my two children were little. Now I read to my two and four year old grandkids over Portal every night at bedtime. My granddaughter asked me for more books like those two. So I ordered Thunder Cake - it is every bit as good as the others. This story, too, has a healthy dose of that Old Country feel and is filled with a grandmother's love and encouragement. Thunder Cake is a new favorite in my family. Patricia Polacco has a real knack for writing books that appeal to kids and adults alike.
Wonderful Story, Gifted Author!
Thunder Cake is the book that introduced me to the world of Patricia Polacco. I had the opportunity to hear this book being read to a group of elementary school age children (3rd - 5th grade). The children paid close attention as the story unfolded. When the book ended, a lively discussion of the story's events took place. The children talked about their experiences dealing with frightening storms. They recalled time spent with beloved grandparents and other important adults in their lives. They really enjoyed Thunder Cake! Ms. Polacco is a gifted story teller and illustrator. Since Thunder Cake, I've read several of Ms. Polacco's children's books. Many of the events in her stories reflect her own life experiences. I recently purchased Thunder Cake from Amazon for my 9 year old niece. She is an avid reader and I know she will enjoy this wonderful book!
Story about a young girl who was afraid of thunder until her Russian grandmother showed her how brave she really is.
Used this book for my summer school class "Cooks with Books, Road Trip USA". I used stories about food from different states and then we made the food as a class. The thunder cake recipe turned out great and the kids were shocked that they liked it with the tomatoes. This represented Michigan as that is where the story took place. I love all of Patricia Polacco's stories because there is always something to learn.
Sweet story
This is a sweet story about a grandma helping a little girl overcome her fear of thunderstorms. It has the recipe for thunder cake at the end of the book, and my kids can't wait for a thunderstorm to try it. (We haven't tried the recipe yet, so I can't comment on whether it's any good)
THUNDER STORMS... time to get out the popcorn.....
Reinforces the importance of investing time in developing creative methods of addressing scary issues little children are faced with....helping them confront, deal with, and put closure on....Turning frowns into smiles...I grew up fearing thunderstorms to the point I would throw up...The adults in my life brushed it off and assured me I would grow out of it.....BUT I didn't...Then I got married and moved to an isolated farm located in a clearing in the woods of very rural Maine. Taking my thunderstorm fear with me...Becoming the mother of .6 little boys, forced me to dig into my pocket of creative treasures and help my children learn to enjoy the beauty, rather than the fear, of THUNDER AND LIGHTENING..by gathering them together under a Grammy quilt, counting..."One monkey, two monkey, three monkey".between lightening strikes and claps of thunder....while munching on chocolate chips and raisins in paper cups, sharing happy time stories... and hugs....I wish I had thought of making a THUNDER CAKE....I especially enjoyed the illustrations...This is a very well written book I look forward to sharing with my GREAT GRANDCHILDREN...and my adult children.....
Wonderful!
Read this years ago, but getting it for grands, re-read. It is a beautiful little story, with lovely illustrations. (Look for the 2 icons in the background - a treat to find!)
