"Wind, stop blowing!" shouts Benjamin Snooks. Until one day the wind answers back in this playful and light-hearted story about flexibility and accepting change.

Benjamin Snooks does not simply dislike the wind. He despises and detests it. From the time he was a baby and sand blew in his face, he decided that the wind was nothing but trouble: it makes a mess of things, disturbs his life, and upsets his plans. But when Benjamin Snooks tries to stop the wind from blowing-or at least escape it-he discovers that making peace with it is a wiser path.

Wind, Stop Blowing! reveals the problems we create when we cling too tightly to our expectations of how things ought to be. It gently invites children to consider better ways to respond to life's small setbacks and changes.

About the Author

Laura Alary is a storyteller, educator, and writer of picture books, including Mira and the Big Story and All the Faces of Me, which was named a 2024 Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book. Laura lives with her three children in Toronto, where she works in a theological library and enjoys windy walks by the lake.

Sue Teodoro started working in the 1980s with her father Francesco Teodoro, a graphic designer. Following in her mother's footsteps, she decided to specialize in children's illustrations. She has collaborated with many Italian publishers to produce books, magazines, and advertisements.

Reviews

"If you're not already a fan of Laura Alary's wonderful children's books, Wind, Stop Blowing! should be your next read. Whatever your age, whether you are a reader or are read to, you'll feel its wisdom and delight on every page." -Brian McLaren, author of Cory and the Seventh Story

"In this delightful story about the power of the wind and a young boy who wants to control it, this beautifully illustrated book teaches us how to turn obstacles into step stones. With humor and clever storytelling, Laura Alvery invites readers to learn to soar above the challenges they confront." -Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, author of I Am Not Afraid and Miriam's Dancing Shoes

"Wind, Stop Blowing! is a beautifully crafted story that captures the challenges of life's unpredictability with grace and humor. Laura Alary's engaging narrative and Sue Teodoro's charming illustrations invite readers of all ages to embrace flexibility and resilience. Through the enchanting journey of Benjamin Snooks, all are challenged to make peace with life's winds of change. This is a must-read for families seeking gentle lessons wrapped in an unforgettable story." -Traci Smith, author of the Faithful Families book series

"In Wind, Stop Blowing! young people can wrestle with the question of their relationship with nature. You may have wanted to have a conversation like the one in this book-with the wind or with fire or with an earthquake-where fears and anxieties about the forces of nature are worked through. This story can open up conversations about the small and big ways we can be fearful and anxious about nature's power-and our own inability to control nature." -Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore, Lead Minister and Minister of Lifespan Religious Education at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock and former President of the Liberal Religious Educators Association

Book Information
ISBN 9781558969483
Author Laura Alary
Format Hardback
Page Count 32
Imprint Skinner House Books
Publisher Skinner House Books