A Voice in the Storm — Karl James Mountford

With captivating illustrations, the creator of the acclaimed The Circles in the Sky tells the story of a rat who finds herself in a storm of dark emotions—and discovers the courage to open up to a friend.The air is heavy, and it seems to Rat that the dark clouds gathering overhead echo the jumble of emotions she’s been carrying inside. Running helps, she finds, but when she bumps into a concerned friend, Rat can only run on, deeper into the rain. It’s not until the storm becomes wild and fierce and Rat is too tired to keep running that she meets a lumbering new friend who encourages her to listen for the voice in the storm—and find her own. With luminous artwork layered with pattern and color, Karl James Mountford’s hopeful story highlights the isolation that comes from grappling alone with overwhelming feelings—and the relief that may come after asking a trusted friend for help.