Tabitha And The Raincloud

Description

When Tabitha wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, she finds a big raincloud next to her taking up most of the space. Immediately, she knows it's going to be one of those yucky days when nothing seems to go right. But what if she doesn't have to let a raincloud spoil her day? All morning, Tabitha tells the raincloud to go away, but it won't budge. At breakfast, the cloud rains all over her scrambled eggs. At school, she tries to draw a giraffe, but the raincloud distracts her and her art teacher compliments her on her dinosaur! Aaagh! By lunchtime, Tabitha is so stormy that none of her friends want to sit next to her. With the raincloud refusing to leave, Tabitha suddenly realises that she needs to change her attitude. It's not the raincloud that's making her day unpleasant, but how she's choosing to react to it. So, Tabitha fetches her umbrella, raincoat and boots from her locker and starts dancing in the rain. It's not long before her friends join her and they're all having fun together! This is a story of resilience, choices, optimism and perseverance. It's a gentle reminder that we all have stormy days, but we'll get through them if we remember to keep looking on the bright side. And sometimes, we can bring the sunshine out a little bit faster if we dance in the rain!

Devon Sillett is a former radio producer, turned writer and reviewer. She is researching Australian children's picture books for her PhD at the University of Canberra and this is her fourth book with EK Books. Melissa Johns is an artist, illustrator, avid upcycler and closet poet. She produces artworks predominantly made of recycled materials that lend her work a uniquely whimsical quality. Melissa is passionate about stimulating young minds through art and literature.

"Tabitha and the Raincloud is an enjoyable story about emotions, self-regulation and resilience and is suitable for children aged 4+ years. This picture book would be an asset to the primary classroom, offering teaching opportunities for social and emotional learning as well as language and literacy (idioms, metaphors and inferencing)." * Buzz Words * This story helps children see that by changing their focus to look for the positives and find the fun in situations, they can change their mood and thus how others feel being around them. The story facilitates counsellors, parents or teachers to help children work out what they can do to prevent being taken over by a bad mood. Suitable for 4 - 9-year-olds. -- Hazel Prickett * New Zealand Association of Counsellors magazine *