Review by Booklist Review
A little girl pits herself against the forces of nature and learns that acceptance and compromise can mean success in this charming, funny picture book. It's a sunny day, and Willow, wearing sunglasses, a swimsuit, and a flamingo flotation device, is set to play in the backyard kiddie pool--"but Weather had plans of its own." Wind, a purple swirl with an oblong face, blows in. Willow protests, Wind howls in her face--and Willow blows back, to Wind's amazement. This starts a tug-of-war between Willow and the elements of Rain (Willow throws its drops back) and Clouds (Willow tries to push them away) that show Willow's fearlessness and determination. The digital illustrations' energetic lines and clever personification of each element make the struggle seem both comic and real. Willow puts up quite a fight, earning the elements' grudging respect. Ultimately, however, Willow bends to the inevitable, realizing she must abandon her sunny-day plans. She starts playing with Wind, Rain, and Clouds, showing that sometimes the best thing you can do is enjoy what life, or the weather, throws at you.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
One young force of nature tackles several others when rain and wind swoop in to spoil her plans to play outside. Having gathered up a pool toy and other props for a round of play outdoors, Willow--portrayed as a tan-skinned child with unruly red hair--is in no mood to let a storm interfere. But when her determined efforts to blow away the swirling winds, push off the gray clouds, and bat back the rain prove futile, she changes tack and goes on to enjoy a morning of dancing in puddles with a puffy dark cloud, playing tug of war with the purple wind, and chasing rainbows until it's time to go back indoors and the sun comes out to beam brightly over all. "Thank you, Weather! Get ready for tomorrow," she beams back, gathering her gear and waving goodbye. "We've gotbigplans!" The aptly named illustrator depicts the various weather elements in translucent digital watercolors with smiling faces. Willow displays an admirable mix of strongmindedness and adaptability, with a big personality that shines out in the splashy illustrations. Readers with a taste for solitary play who identify with characters such as Peter in Ezra Jack Keats'Snowy Day will enjoy this summery alternative. A sunny tale about making the most of stormy weather.(Picture book. 5-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
