Thunder and the Noise Storms

When the world gets too loud and chaotic, a young boy’s grandfather helps him listen with wonder instead.   

Kids laughing, sneakers squeaking, balls bouncing—for Thunder, the sounds of the school day often brew into overwhelming noise storms. But when Thunder’s mosom asks him what he hears on an urban nature walk, Thunder starts to understand how sounds like bird wings flapping and rushing water can help him feel calm and connected. Gentle, inviting illustrations by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley emphasize Mosom’s lessons about the healing power of the world around us. 

JEFFREY ANSLOOS is a Cree educator and psychologist, and the Canada Research Chair in Critical Studies in Indigenous Health and Social Action on Suicide. He is the author of The Medicine of Peace: Indigenous Youth Decolonizing Healing and Resisting Violence. This is his first children's book.

AZBY WHITECALF is a Plains Cree illustrator and character designer residing in Saskatchewan. Whitecalf is a graduate of AUArts, majoring in illustration with a bachelor’s degree in design. They have fondness for fantasy stories, whimsical tales, and vibrant characters.