When the Wind Blew

by Petra Brown

While Big Bear and Little Bear are snuggled up for the night, a wild storm rages. The bears wake up to find that the wind has knocked down all of the trees in their forest, they'll have to move. Little Bear is distraught. He loves their home! But Big Bear helps him understand that home isn't where you are, but who you're with. Author and illustrator Petra Brown's sweet, superbly rendered characters and tender story are perfect for helping little ones deal with a move or change.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Animals, Fiction, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 15, 2017

About the author

Petra Brown lives at the foot of Mount Snowdon near the little Ffestiniog railway, in the beautiful country of North Wales, United Kingdom. When she was a child, she used to love to look through books and draw the pictures herself. Now she finds that illustrating children’s books is immensely satisfying. You can visit her at PetraB.co.uk.

Reviews

[Lorellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale about how change doesn't have to be so bad, if we can do it together. Very pretty.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a terrible storm blows down all of the trees in the part of the forest they call home, Little Bear and Big Bear must find a new place to live, one that will provide them with the berries and honey that they need. Little Bear isn't sure about the move, but Big Bear offers him plenty of love and understanding, assuaging all of his fears. In the end, he comes to understand that as long as he has Big Bear, he will be at home...

A charming picture-book from British author/illustrator Petra Brown, When the Wind Blew addresses the common childhood experience of moving house, offering young listeners reassurance, not just that such a move can work out for the best, but that they will always have the love and protection of their parent(s). The artwork is every bit as appealing as the story, capturing the ursine duo in their many heartwarming moments together. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about handling change, particularly a change of house.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

While two bears are asleep in their den one night, they are awakened by a storm. Even thought Big Bear provides reassurance to Little Bear that they need not worry, when they awaken the next morning they find that everything around them has changed. Little Bear is concerned about the changes in the world around them, but Big Bear points out that many of the plants bend so that they can sustain the wind's ferocity and that Big Bear will always have Little Bear's back, no matter where they might be. Filled with lovely scenes from nature, this picture book might provide comfort to anyone having to move to a new place as the bears must do since the foods they need to survive won't be available, and it also might remind readers who have experienced some sort of life change or natural disaster that resilience is the key to thriving after unwanted change. The text is reassuring and rhythmic.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Petra Brown offers a new wonderful story about moving, how change can happen but when we’re all together with family, it’s okay. Mama Bear and her young one wake up in the night to hear a storm, and Mama says the cave will protect them. When they wake again in the morning, they find that all the trees in the forest have been blown down, and they must move. Little Bear is not happy, but reassured that Mama will be with him and it will be okay. Illustrations with the background show the bears as so human-like in their quest that one forgets that these characters are bears! These plus the loving text are perfect to read aloud and to reassure children who may have a move coming.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is precious! For some reason I thought I wouldn't like it, but it's cute, heartbreaking, and also heartwarming. The illustrations are phenomenal and the story is amazing. I recommend this book to all!

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

It's about a little bear and a big bear waking up one morning from their den to find that all the trees around them have fallen down and been destroyed. They have to move and find a new place because those trees won't have any new fruits for them to eat and the bees won't be there anymore to make honey either. The little bear is sad, but in the end he realizes that home isn't a place, but it's whoever you are with that makes it a home. So darn precious!

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit depressing. A big wind (or storm) comes through while the bears are sleeping in their cave. When they wake in the morning to go find food, they leave their den to discover that all of the trees have been uprooted. So sad! The big bear tells the baby bear that they have to find a new place to live. So sad! This is a great book about moving and parent-child relationships (expressed through an animal main character). But still, a very sad selection. Illustrations are pretty darling.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has great illustrations and a wonderful message about adaptability and moving, but it's really just too long for the target audience. I may try to use it in story time by paper clipping a few pages together (assuming I can find a few spreads that aren't integral to the plot), but I do think it would work great one-on-one with a kid who is nervous about moving or change. I also found it interesting that Big Bear's gender is never mentioned. Little Bear is a he, but the author has written the book in such a way that Big Bear could be Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle, Aunt, etc.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a big storm, Big Bear and Little Bear will have to move to a new location.

Is Little Bear old enough to understand what that means? And how he will still be safe after the move? The answers are:

* Kinda
* And yes.

Living on Earth is tough for all of us animals, and sometimes especially hard for babies. But this compassionate and tender story can inspire young readers. (Old ones, too.)

FIVE STARS for author and illustrator Petra Brown.

[Ms.Gaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about a mother bear and her cub exploring the landscape after a windstorm blew down the trees. A good choice for preschool storytime since children can mimic some of Little Bear's actions. Ages 3-6.

[Josie Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is good in teaching children that Home is not always where you live but who you live with and living with the ones you love. Could be used to introduce in a classroom and how at school we are our home in loving each other

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“When I’m with you, wherever we are, I feel I’m at home.”

Big Bear and Little Bear weather a storm deep inside their den. But when they come out in the morning, all the trees have been blown down. So, they must leave their den and find a new home.

Adorable illustrations.

[Viviane Elbee]

I enjoyed the premise of this book - which is what happens when all the trees / environment are damaged by a big storm? The artwork is beautiful too. I read it to elementary aged kids and this book worked for them, but it may be a tad long for very young toddlers.

[Casandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story about a bear parent and child who wake up to find their world transformed by a storm.
bears
weather

[Heather Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

megan summer reading 2017, children's book, picture book, weather, moving, family, parents, children, prek, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade,

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another cuddly and warm bear story. What sets it apart is the storm that makes them have to find a new den.
Some two-page spreads, some small series of images; soft, muted tones.

[Donna Mork · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book about a mother bear and her cub. They come out of the cave and find the forest has been laid flat by a wind. They have to move and find new shelter.

[Molly Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Longer narrative. Protagonist asks questions kids can relate to. Lovely illustrations. Encourages kids to think about the experience of others.

[Miss Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice illustrations, but the story was only passably interesting. Importance of home, having stability, family, etc.

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful.

[Norkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable pair, adapt to change and find a new home.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Loved every bit of this story... so sweet, great message, and perfect length for a bedtime story. I'm so glad I found it!

[Anne]

Reassurance for little ones going through change.