Module 6: Thunder-Boomer!

Book Cover Image

Summary

The book Thunder-Boomer! is about a a young family who encounters a thunderstorm. The family immediately begin seeking shelter all the while the reader is able to hear the sounds from different forms of onomonopia. For example, the sounds of the storm are heard on the roof and outside in the form of words such as, "Zzzzt!, C-r-a-a-a-ck!, and Swish-wack!" Finally, after the whole family are safe inside the storm clears out. The family reemerges to the outdoors to everything back to normal except a new family pet, which in turn receives the name Thunder-Boomer. 

APA Reference
Crum, S. (2009). Thunder-boomer! New York, NY: Clarion Books.

My Impressions
My favorite parts of Thunder-Boomer! are the animals in the illustrations. The wide variety of animals on the farm include a dog,  a kitten, and a chicken surprisingly comes into the house during the storm, balks and all. Kids will love the page in which dad's underwear go flying out into the storm. Honestly, the illustrations alone make the book. The rain, flying debris, and worried expressions on the character add to the realistic moment in the heat of a storm.

Professional Review

One hot day, a farmer plows while his wife, children, and dog sit beside the pond. When a thunderstorm threatens, they hurry home, gather the laundry in off the line, bring a pet chicken into the house, and settle in to watch the lightning flash and feel the thunder shake the house. Hail threatens the corn and the metal roofs, but soon the storm ends. Going out to assess the damage, they find a wet kitten shivering near the shed and decide to give him a home. The evocative text and expressive illustrations work well together here, creating a strong sense of the storm sweeping across the land and an even stronger sense of how this good-natured family handles challenges and surprises. Opening the story in eight wordless pictures before the text begins, Thompson uses watercolor, gouache, pastel, crayon, and collage to create scenes charged with energy and human interest. This fine-tuned, occasionally funny picture book re-creates the satisfying drama of a summer storm.

— Carolyn Phelan

Phelan, C.(2009). Booklist. 

Library Uses
Thunder-Boomer! is a great opportunity to show students how to use onomonopia in their on individual writing.