The Story of Lightning and Thunder

by Ashley Bryan, Ashley Bryan (Illustrator)

Overview

From Coretta Scott King Award winner Ashley Bryan comes a vibrant picture book retelling of a West African myth.

A long time ago—a very long time ago—Thunder and Lightning didn’t live in the sky. Uh-uh! They lived right in a village on the west coast of Alkebulan, called Africa today. Thunder was a mother sheep and impetuous Lightning was her son. How did they come to leave their home on Earth behind?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780689318368
Publisher:	Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	10/31/1993
Edition description:	1st Edition
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Ashley Bryan (1923–2022) grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he shared the joy of song with children. A beloved illustrator, he was named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book, Freedom Over Me. He also received the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, was a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer, a Coretta Scott King Award winner, and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include Freedom Over Me; Sail Away; Beautiful Blackbird; Beat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum; Let It Shine; Ashley Bryan’s Book of Puppets; and What a Wonderful World. He lived in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.

Ashley Bryan (1923–2022) grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he shared the joy of song with children. A beloved illustrator, he was named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book, Freedom Over Me. He also received the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, was a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer, a Coretta Scott King Award winner, and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include Freedom Over Me; Sail Away; Beautiful Blackbird; Beat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum; Let It Shine; Ashley Bryan’s Book of Puppets; and What a Wonderful World. He lived in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.

Editorial Reviews

The Story of Lightning and Thunder is one that any child between the ages of 4 to 8 will enjoy. Ashley Bryan creates loveable characters in this heartwarming story. Lightning manifests itself as a very rambunctious young ram and Thunder, his mother, is characterized as a mother sheep who struggles happily to keep her son in line. Children will enjoy this book because of its fluid writing style, colorful illu-strations, and satisfying conclusion.
— Black Issue Book Review

Toniaka Thomas

"Joyful in both word and palette," said PW, "this African story tells why lightning and thunder reside in the sky and not on earth, as they once did." Ages 4-8. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

ger for reading aloud. A long time ago in Alkebu-lan (now Africa), Thunder was a mother sheep and Lightning was her rowdy ram son. They lived in the center of town, and whenever there was a need, the villagers would ask them to call on their good friend, Rain. This usually worked well. But Lightning sometimes did more damage than good--and it was for that reason the mother and son came to be banished, first to the edge of town, then to the center of the forest, and finally to the faraway sky. Bryan's swirling watercolors depict a bright African terrain peopled with decorative, colorful characters. The text has music and style and moves along quickly, thanks to the humor inherent in the exploits of the rambunctious ram. Specific source notes are included. This is a solid title for reading aloud that will appeal to a wide age range.

Janice Del Negro