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Oliver and the Twisting Tornado
“It’s time to go to the shelter. Now!” As their radio buzzes a tornado warning and sirens wail in the distance, Oliver, his sister Emma, and their parents move quickly to find shelter from an approaching tornado.
The family has been getting ready for hours as storm clouds gather and the skies turn a creepy green and gray. Despite his fear, Oliver knows they have done all they can to protect their home, property, and the animals on their small family farm. Now, it’s time to take shelter as a large funnel cloud roars across the fields towards their home.
Oliver is afraid that his home could be blown away. He’s concerned that everything he knows and loves could be damaged or destroyed by the rampaging storm. When his parents tell him it’s time to evacuate to their emergency storm shelter, Max wonders if his world will ever feel safe again.
Oliver and the Twisting Tornado explores the natural fears of a child facing a life-changing storm that can hit with little or no warning. Tornadoes can cause widespread damage, both physical and emotional. As Max and his family, friends, and neighbors come together, they show us the power of community working together in the face of a major natural disaster.
Oliver and the Twisting Tornado emphasizes thoughtful preparation, family connection, and community support, making it a timely and helpful resource for parents, grandparents, educators, and anyone teaching tornado safety and working to build resilience among young people. Oliver and the Twisting Tornado supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) by helping children manage storm-related anxiety, understand tornado alerts, and feel confident in taking action.
The family has been getting ready for hours as storm clouds gather and the skies turn a creepy green and gray. Despite his fear, Oliver knows they have done all they can to protect their home, property, and the animals on their small family farm. Now, it’s time to take shelter as a large funnel cloud roars across the fields towards their home.
Oliver is afraid that his home could be blown away. He’s concerned that everything he knows and loves could be damaged or destroyed by the rampaging storm. When his parents tell him it’s time to evacuate to their emergency storm shelter, Max wonders if his world will ever feel safe again.
Oliver and the Twisting Tornado explores the natural fears of a child facing a life-changing storm that can hit with little or no warning. Tornadoes can cause widespread damage, both physical and emotional. As Max and his family, friends, and neighbors come together, they show us the power of community working together in the face of a major natural disaster.
Oliver and the Twisting Tornado emphasizes thoughtful preparation, family connection, and community support, making it a timely and helpful resource for parents, grandparents, educators, and anyone teaching tornado safety and working to build resilience among young people. Oliver and the Twisting Tornado supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) by helping children manage storm-related anxiety, understand tornado alerts, and feel confident in taking action.
Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 31, 2025
The Review
This was yet another stellar children’s read from both authors. The book continues the essential lessons and rich storytelling that the first book in this series established, crafting believable and relatable characters that both children and parents can identify with while educating young readers. The muted yet engaging illustrations by Tanya Zeinalova brought the characters and the realities of life in an area prone to tornadoes to life perfectly, keeping the reader invested in the narrative.
The calm and detailed way the authors lay out storm preparedness and showcase the emotional family and community connections at the same time was a big draw for this book. The clear and concise way the steps needed to prepare for a storm are laid out for readers help drive home the importance of being prepred for such a storm, while the way the family and the community band together in teh storm’s wake is an uplifting and inspiring way to instill that sense of belonging and caring that children should have at that early an age.
The Verdict
Memorable, thoughtful, and engaging, authors Ben Jackson and Chrissy Hobbs’s “Oliver and the Twisting Tornado” is an excellent entry in the authors' series on natural disasters and a must-read children’s book. The fast-paced story and relatability of the narrative will stay with readers, keeping them eager for more in this growing children’s series.
This was yet another stellar children’s read from both authors. The book continues the essential lessons and rich storytelling that the first book in this series established, crafting believable and relatable characters that both children and parents can identify with while educating young readers. The muted yet engaging illustrations by Tanya Zeinalova brought the characters and the realities of life in an area prone to tornadoes to life perfectly, keeping the reader invested in the narrative.
The calm and detailed way the authors lay out storm preparedness and showcase the emotional family and community connections at the same time was a big draw for this book. The clear and concise way the steps needed to prepare for a storm are laid out for readers help drive home the importance of being prepred for such a storm, while the way the family and the community band together in teh storm’s wake is an uplifting and inspiring way to instill that sense of belonging and caring that children should have at that early an age.
The Verdict
Memorable, thoughtful, and engaging, authors Ben Jackson and Chrissy Hobbs’s “Oliver and the Twisting Tornado” is an excellent entry in the authors' series on natural disasters and a must-read children’s book. The fast-paced story and relatability of the narrative will stay with readers, keeping them eager for more in this growing children’s series.
August 12, 2025
‘Tornado watch in effect…That means be prepared, right?’ – Valuable lessons learned!
Australian author Ben Jackson has two homes - Tasmania, Australia (his birth place) and Ontario, Canada where he now lives with his Canadian born wife and co-author Chrissy Hobbs (aka Sam Lawrence). Ben is a tradesman by day and a writer with Chrissy by night. Tanya Zeinalova provides the illustrations for this new series.
In support of SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) this well-written book encourages kids to understand their feelings, cope with uncertainty, and find resilience. The story is about the impact of tornadoes on Oliver and his sister Emma and family, and while the tale is absorbing and entertaining, the ‘twisting tornado’ faced will likely be related in the manner of floods, snowstorms, and forest fires in future books by these authors. ‘We can’t stop storms, but we can be ready.’ Messages of finding courage and community make this new adventure a valuable learning lesson for us all!
Australian author Ben Jackson has two homes - Tasmania, Australia (his birth place) and Ontario, Canada where he now lives with his Canadian born wife and co-author Chrissy Hobbs (aka Sam Lawrence). Ben is a tradesman by day and a writer with Chrissy by night. Tanya Zeinalova provides the illustrations for this new series.
In support of SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) this well-written book encourages kids to understand their feelings, cope with uncertainty, and find resilience. The story is about the impact of tornadoes on Oliver and his sister Emma and family, and while the tale is absorbing and entertaining, the ‘twisting tornado’ faced will likely be related in the manner of floods, snowstorms, and forest fires in future books by these authors. ‘We can’t stop storms, but we can be ready.’ Messages of finding courage and community make this new adventure a valuable learning lesson for us all!
August 14, 2025
A Story That Builds Confidence in Uncertain Times...
"Oliver and the Twisting Tornado" by Chrissy Hobbs and Ben Jackson feels like a warm hug with good advice. When storm clouds roll over Ollie and Emma's farm, we learn with them how to read the sky, when to listen for warnings, and when to get out of the way.
It's beautiful to see this family get ready with calm determination: they tie up their animals, gather supplies, and wait out the storm together. The pictures come to life, the characters feel like real people who live next door, and what starts as a story about the weather turns into something deeper—a reminder that love and being ready can help us get through any storm.
This is the kind of book that every family should have in their library. It teaches without preaching and comforts without sugar-coating reality. Hobbs and Jackson have written a great story that helps kids deal with their fears and gives them real confidence for whatever life throws at them. Highly recommended.
"Oliver and the Twisting Tornado" by Chrissy Hobbs and Ben Jackson feels like a warm hug with good advice. When storm clouds roll over Ollie and Emma's farm, we learn with them how to read the sky, when to listen for warnings, and when to get out of the way.
It's beautiful to see this family get ready with calm determination: they tie up their animals, gather supplies, and wait out the storm together. The pictures come to life, the characters feel like real people who live next door, and what starts as a story about the weather turns into something deeper—a reminder that love and being ready can help us get through any storm.
This is the kind of book that every family should have in their library. It teaches without preaching and comforts without sugar-coating reality. Hobbs and Jackson have written a great story that helps kids deal with their fears and gives them real confidence for whatever life throws at them. Highly recommended.
August 14, 2025
Oliver and Twisting Tornado is an amazing childrens book about tornado's, it talks about the differences between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. This brings those talks in to action within the book when a watch and warning were announced. It goes through what to do to get ready for when a tornado hits and how to stay calm when it is happening.
This books shows anxiety and how being scared is okay, it talks through how it is okay to be scared as not everything is perfect. This book shows compassion to the community after a natural event and how people work together to make it through it.
This book is a great stepping stone for children who live in areas where tornado's are common as it shows then to have a plan and what happens. I love how these authors always have a certificate and either a checklist or a facts page at the end of their books. 10/10 recommend.
This books shows anxiety and how being scared is okay, it talks through how it is okay to be scared as not everything is perfect. This book shows compassion to the community after a natural event and how people work together to make it through it.
This book is a great stepping stone for children who live in areas where tornado's are common as it shows then to have a plan and what happens. I love how these authors always have a certificate and either a checklist or a facts page at the end of their books. 10/10 recommend.
September 22, 2025
This book is part of the Navigating Disasters series for children. The text is written in clear language to prepare children who live in areas that are prone to tornadoes. Without being scary, it clearly defines the steps that are necessary to plan ahead and then the actions necessary to keep safe.
Oliver and Emma live on a farm. They learn what to do. Although the children are apprehensive, their parents have prepared their farm and storm shelter. Readers are provided with a checklist and a certificate to prove that they have carefully read the story and know how to prepare their families and communities to do the same.
I highly recommend the book for parents and teachers who live in communities that may be susceptible to tornadoes as an excellent resource guide.
Oliver and Emma live on a farm. They learn what to do. Although the children are apprehensive, their parents have prepared their farm and storm shelter. Readers are provided with a checklist and a certificate to prove that they have carefully read the story and know how to prepare their families and communities to do the same.
I highly recommend the book for parents and teachers who live in communities that may be susceptible to tornadoes as an excellent resource guide.
September 22, 2025
Great teaching resource for kids aged between 5 and 8. This teaches them when to come together and be prepared, teaching kids what to take in a time of need.
This one I loved how Oliver and his sister Emma went in the shelter and he was the big brother making sure Emma was safe and comfortable with their mum and dad listening to see if it was safe to come out
This one I loved how Oliver and his sister Emma went in the shelter and he was the big brother making sure Emma was safe and comfortable with their mum and dad listening to see if it was safe to come out
September 3, 2025
Ben and Chrissy have come together to write yet another rather informative book for kids going through natural disasters. These books can be very helpful for kids to understand and process what is happening. They are a must for many school libraries.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews