A New York Times 2021 Best Children's Book This heartwarming family story from acclaimed author-illustrator Dan Yaccarino features a father and his kids who are stuck inside the house together — and figure out how to connect and overcome conflict. No one knew where the strange storm came from, or why it lasted so long. The family at the center of this timely story has to hunker down together, with no going outside - and that's hard when there's absolutely nothing to do, and everyone's getting on everyone else's nerves. This classic in the making will lift hearts with its optimistic vision of a family figuring out how to love and support one another, even when it seems impossible. PreS-Gr 2-In a distinct but subtle parallel to the COVID-19 pandemic, a family finds themselves hunkering down in their home as an unexpected and dangerous storm rages outside. The three children, one dad, and one dog grow frustrated with their seemingly endless proximity and confinement, bickering over one thing after another-but when lightning flashes nearby, they rally around one another for comfort and find a renewed sense of solidarity that carries them to the day they can finally step outside again. Yaccarino's illustrations draw readers' eye with a charming mid-century aesthetic while bold colors and expressive lines adroitly convey mood. The straightforward prose is equally strong, capturing the tension and tedium of pandemic life with striking effectiveness ("There was nothing to do, and too much time to do it."). This book is at once timely and timeless; whether readers interpret the main conflict as a pandemic or as a literal weather event, the story invites meaningful discussion about how people cope with hardships. Readers of all ages will be bolstered by the message about the resilience of familial love and the endurance of the human spirit. VERDICT A first purchase for picture book collections. Nuanced, affirming, and relatable, this book will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.-Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Lib., CAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. A Publishers Weekly 2021 Best Book of the Year A New York Public Library 2021 Best Books for Kids selection A Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice A 2022 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year ★ Booklist ★ Kirkus ★ Publishers Weekly ★ S chool Library Journal ★ “At once timely and timeless…. This book will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.” — School Library Journal, STARRED ★ " A new classic."  — Booklist, STARRED ★"Emotionally nuanced, authentic .... clearly shows how connection and resilience can prevail in the face of any storm.” — Publishers Weekly, STARRED ★"Feels emotionally true to the process of going through any profound crisis….Resonant and reassuring.” — Kirkus Reviews, STARRED "In the aftermath of a strange time, “The Longest Storm” feels like a validation—a blessing, even.” —Wall Street Journal “A deceptively simple story with real emotional and visual depth, concluding with an acknowledgment that happy endings often leave work yet to be done. That, too, hits home.” — New York Times Book Review One of “The Best Children’s Books of 2021 — Tinybeans Best of 2021: Our Favorite Picture Books and A Best Picture Book of 2021 for Starting Conversations — Kirkus Reviews “Masterful….encompasses so many themes and is so well-written that sharing it with readers is highly recommended. A story to ponder and illustrations to consider again and again… thoroughly satisfying ... on all levels.” — School Library Connections "A profound, optimistic story of dealing with hardship....simultaneously paints a picture of suffering, family conflict, and the power of apology....a must-read."  — Books to Borrow, Books to Buy, syndicated column “Perfectly reflects … our emotions and feelings ….Readers are offered a hopeful and much. Needed reminder that one day the storm will indeed end but we have each other — in good times and bad — until it does. " — The Book Wrangler "The Longest Storm will pull at your heart, but remind you of how far we’ve come….this book is a metaphor for any time we are having a hard time finding a balance….For any house, school or library that wants a gentle way to discuss how being together for an unforeseen amount of time can be hard, but in this book, like any storm, will be light at the end." - Storymamas "I love the underlying themes of grief and trauma, loneliness, and the healing power of apology. There is just no other book like this out there." —Bilingual Mingle "Yaccarino’s masterful illustration skills take center stage in this metaphorical picture book about loss and trauma…..could be read aloud to stimulate discussion about the normal process of navigating human relations." — Youth Services Book Review Children the world over know Dan Yaccarino from his chi