A Voice in the Storm

by Karl James Mountford

With captivating illustrations, the creator of the acclaimed The Circles in the Sky tells the story of a rat who finds herself in a storm of dark emotions—and discovers the courage to open up to a friend.

The air is heavy, and it seems to Rat that the dark clouds gathering overhead echo the jumble of emotions she’s been carrying inside. Running helps, she finds, but when she bumps into a concerned friend, Rat can only run on, deeper into the rain. It’s not until the storm becomes wild and fierce and Rat is too tired to keep running that she meets a lumbering new friend who encourages her to listen for the voice in the storm—and find her own. With luminous artwork layered with pattern and color, Karl James Mountford’s hopeful story highlights the isolation that comes from grappling alone with overwhelming feelings—and the relief that may come after asking a trusted friend for help.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Mental Health, Emotion, Friendship, Childrens, Nature

40 pages, Hardcover

Published November 5, 2024

About the author

Karl James Mountford is an Illustrator, born in Germany and brought up in the U.K. Karl graduated in 2013 at Swansea Met Uni with a Masters degree in Illustration and Visual communication. Karl works in both traditional and digital mediums . He loves Illustration full heartedly, from picture books, writing stories, screen printing, contemporary design. His style of illustration is 'visually edible', sometimes witty, sometimes odd but always full of gusto.

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for my toddler's bedtime. This story followed a rat. She's feeling sad. Jackdaw the bird worried but couldn't comfort Rat. Rat ran. She wanted fresh air. Jackdaw wanted to warn her about the rain, but Rat felt better when she ran. She ran into Hedgehog. Hedgehog gave her a concerned smile and asked after Rat. But Rat chose to run. She ran into a snake and eventually into a bear. Bear found shelter for both of them and comforted Rat and eventually took her home. Great story. Loved the illustrations!

Thank you Candlewick Press for the opportunity to read and review.

[Vika Reads Occasionally · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart 😭 This is essential reading for ages 4 and up. I always respect books that address hard topics in an effective manner, and this one in particular addresses the topics of depression and self-harm in such a compassionate and age-appropriate way. Despite the heaviness of the subject matter, the story and message feel very digestible for young readers.

[Fyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, now I’m crying at work.

Why didn’t I have a book like this when I was a child suffering from depression??

All the stars.

[Tori G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not me crying at a picture book at 10 am on a Thursday

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gorgeous!

[taiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOBBED UNCONTROLLABLY

[Tiffany Hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely and sensitive picture book about depression.

[Leaflet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Striking illustrations. I love the color palette of mostly greens and purples. Bear has all the better lines: “Aren’t all voices just noise until someone listens?”

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa! Every home needs a copy of this book on their shelves. Every home. It's a much needed reminder that we all have storms raging inside us at times. We are not alone in that.

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up.

This is one of those books that I'm not sure of the audience. I don't think most lower elementary students or younger would "get" a lot of this book, but I do think it could be good to share it with an upper elementary student or older (some teens and adults may benefit from reading it or it being read to them as well).

There are some comments by people who had depression when they were children and they wish that they would have had a book like this when they were younger because it would have helped them feel seen and would have helped them understand what they were feeling.

It's really hard to think of any child contemplating suicide, but I know some of them do, and this hints at that, "The lightning and thunder were overwhelming. Rat froze in fear and curled up into a ball. She was too scared to move even a whisker. Then, somewhere in the raging storm, a soothing, hypnotic voice hissed to her. 'Little Rat. This is not a ssssafe place to shelter. Climb into my mouth. I'll keep you ssssafe from the sssstorm.' Weary and confused, Rat thought about stepping toward the Snake's open jaws." Thankfully, I've never been too close to suicide, but I can understand how, when a storm is raging in your mind, when the world seems overwhelming and LOUD, the promise of it stopping could tempt you to step into a snake's waiting jaws. *Spoiler* Thankfully, the Rat finds another voice to listen to, one that is much more helpful (I think hinting at a mental health professional).

As far as books where the illustrations were created completely digitally, this is one of the prettiest I've seen. Not only is the color palate beautiful but the design/style of the illustrations is quite unique and lovely (though the style does vaguely remind me of some Native American work or something else I've seen before).

[Sue Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books that begin before the title page, and this one does with the words 'The air had been dank and heavy all day'. Underneath, a beautiful and yet curious illustration captures a moment, as if in slow motion; raindrops bounce and drip and a snail leads us onwards. I knew I was hooked by this book already.

The illustrations use a dark palette of blacks, greys, purples and sage green, perfectly reflecting the feelings and emotions of anyone who may be carrying a storm, troubled, worried or disolutioned. Despite their heavy mood, they are also delicate, detailed, light and intriguing. They cause you to stop and look closely, noticing movement, expressions and artistic effects that reveal hope and light. Pick out the use of white.

It isn't often you become endeared to a rat in a story, and as you hear her words of anguish, so wish to help her. Concern and support, gentle encouragement and care come through the beautiful words of her friends and advocates. The storm's metaphor for rat's emotional distress is articulated simply but profoundly, poetically, 'aren't all voices just noise until someone listens?' Talk, little rat, talk.

Perfect, poignant and deeply satisfying.

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackdaw is worried about their friend Rat. Rat hasn’t been herself lately, instead acting very quiet and withdrawn. And to make matters worse, a big storm is brewing. Rat runs away because she’s sad and confused. She runs right into the storm. At one point Rat almost allows a snake to eat her but realizes this won’t help her. She then runs, literally, into Bear who understands Rat and helps her. Together they weather the storms, the one outside and the one inside.

What seems to be a children’s picture book, is a story about opening up and asking for help when we are sad or depressed. Mountford portrays asking for help as brave, and lets readers know that our friends and family are always there and willing to help. This is much more than just a picture book.

The illustrations are unique in color and style–purples, blues and greens, sharp edges, and fantastical fauna. The author/illustrator has a very distinctive style that is both eye-catching and soothing. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emotions are sometimes hard to express or handle. In this visually-unique picture book [3.5 for me!], filled with abundant appropriately dark, stormy scenes rendered through digital artwork, one animal--Rat--feels overburdened with feelings. Even though Jackdaw extends a helping hand, offering to listen, Rat initially refuses, instead rushing off into the approaching storm. After running into several other animals, Rat finds help through Bear's suggestions to let those emotions out, to shout, to cry, and to talk to someone who cares, all great advice. Not surprisingly, when Rat reaches out to Jackdaw, his friend is ready to listen. That voice in the storm ended up being quite helpful. Educators and parents might choose to share this picture book to a child in need of self-regulations or an outlet for emotions or to an entire class so that they'll be open to listening to the concerns of their classmates and be more empathetic.

[Kirsten - Children's Library Lady]

Wanting to escape her sadness and despair, the rat runs through the storm until it can't move. A bear helps the rat understand the importance of asking for help in challenging times.

A Voice in the Storm sparks conversations about emotional well-being, depression, resilience, finding strength, and the complexities of mental health.

Discussion Questions
1. How does A Voice in the Storm explore the theme of dealing with difficult emotions?
2. What do you learn about the rat's character from her journey through the storm?
3. How does the book portray the concept of resilience?
4. Why do you think finding your voice during difficult times is important?
5. How does the story inspire you to handle emotional turmoil?
6. What lessons can we learn from the rat's experience in the storm?
7. How do the illustrations enhance your understanding of the book?

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while, you come across one of those picture books that you have to share with all of your coworkers. That is this book for me.

My goodness. Calling this for ages three to seven is interesting because it is long. It has deep subject matter (I'd argue there is a reference to suicide). But it is in the same vein, dare I say better, than 'The Rabbit Listened." It gives a word, a voice, to those moments when depression and emotions are too much. It's finding that friend who will listen, which is sometimes a stranger. It's finding that friend who will never give up on us.

Adding to my must buy collection

[Emily Haage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous illustrations. Rat's feelings and anguish are mirrored in the intensity of the storm.

The text does a great job of explaining the complex feelings of depression and anxiety, though some parts may be over the head of our youngest readers.

Share with kiddos experiencing depression, anxiety, and other complex feelings or with kids who have a parent, sibling, etc. dealing with mental health issues.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most important and beautiful (in every way) picture books I've ever read. It had me sobbing at my desk at work in the best way possible. I want to buy thousands of copies of this book and give it to everyone in my life. As it is I will definitely be having many storytimes with this book before I return it to the library. Thank you, Earl James Mountford, for this gift of a book.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book's author/illustrator, Karl James Mountford, has yet again made an extraordinarily difficult subject matter understandable for a young audience, this time discussing depression. And his illustrations are so incredibly beautiful and well thought out, from the introduction to the pink as hope emerges to the ongoing motif of circles throughout. I can't wait to read the next book he puts out into the world!

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candlewick Studio is publishing the most remarkable books. A Voice in the Storm is about a rat dealing with depression. The book is a hopeful one and created with layers of color and patterns. A Voice in the Storm is luminous. Absolutely stunning. An important, beautiful book for every library collection.

[Genny20 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true 3.5 since the art was beautiful, the message well done, but i felt it was repetitive in some spots. It makes sense of course, its a children's book, but i felt it didn't lend itself well to the repeating. Otherwise, it was very good and on the nose! Important for anyone, especially children, to understand how/why they feel or what others are going through.

[Bethany Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly wonderful book with an inspirational message, cute story, and elegant illustration. I will certainly be using this to help my kiddos, myself, and my clients understand 'the storm' that can rage inside us a little bit better.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture book for all ages. This is a simple, effective description of depression and what it feels like. It also uses the story to teach how to help yourself, and to not be afraid to ask for help and support.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about putting words to depression, as likened to a storm. Bear gives Rat the space and support he needs to find his voice. Excellent. Great for parents, councilors and teachers alike.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...I could see this book being helpful for adults just as much for younger audiences. It may be a little intense/confusing for some, but for the right readers, STORM could be immensely relatable. I know I felt "heard." Gorgeous illustrations, too.

[Hannah DCamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man the art style in this is stunning, I want to stitch in this style all the hekkin time argh

Also this is one of those children's books that is just as beneficial for adults. Oof.
"Aren't all voices just noise until someone listens?"

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, the illustrations in this book are just divine! Absolutely stunning. Keep an eye out for the snail! Second of all, this is a least patronising children's book about mental health. It is so well told, I was in tears reading it. I feel all of this. Beautiful!

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC from Edelweiss.

[Karly-Lynne (storybookcook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning! A beautiful book both aesthetically and thematically that deals with depression in an accessible and moving way.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story about finding peace and comfort in unexpected places.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning artwork. Important topic.