Mommy, Can You Stop the Rain?

Mommy, can you stop the rain? Daddy, can you shush the thunder? 

Can grown-ups take away a scary storm?

No, says Mommy, I cannot stop the rain. No, says Daddy, I cannot shush the thunder.

But they can keep their little girl cozy and warm. They can help her grow strong and able to face the storm's scary sounds herself.

In this quietly powerful story, psychologist Rona Novick shows parents how to both comfort children and help them face their fears with the warmth and support they need. No, parents cannot take away every discomfort--but they have large roles to play in helping children work through their discomforts. Young children will be encouraged and will want to visit this story again and again. For Ages 3-6.

From Kirkus Reviews: Distraction, reassurance, and lots of love from attentive parents help a young child feel comfortable and safe during a thunderstorm.

Patient parents answer each simple, innocent question the child poses honestly and with a plausible response for creating a consoling solution. Though Mommy 'cannot stop the rain,' eating sprinkled cookies while wrapped in a warm, dry towel should make the child feel better. Though Daddy cannot 'shush the thunder,' marching around the table drumming a soup pot with a spoon should mask the scary noise. And while they cannot 'turn off the lightning,' 'quiet the wind,' or 'send away the storm,' they can all be close and stay cozy and warm until the sun shines again. Illustrations washed with purple and lavender depict a dark, gloomy, stormy day and include details that indicate this white family is Jewish.

There is a tzedakah box on the table to collect money for charity, Hebrew alphabet letters on the refrigerator and on the building blocks, and a Shabbat candle scene in a child's drawing on the wall. The text also uses the Yiddish Zayde and Bubbe when referencing grandparents.

Beyond the visually Judaic atmosphere, the realistic strategies demonstrated can be applied to every young family dealing with a frightened child during a loud, turbulent weather episode.

This calming, credible approach to diverting children from the anxiety of volatile storms is a winner. (Picture book. 3-6) --Kirkus Reviews

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rona Milch Novick, PhD is a clinical psychologist and the dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education at Yeshiva University. She lectures frequently to parent and school groups and has authored many articles about parenting. Rona still credits much of her wisdom to her on-the-job training as the mother of three sons. She lives on Long Island, New York.