When Cloud's Embrace

by Maria Kostaki

Lukas is three years old and embarrassed to tell his mom and dad that he is scared of thunder. When he finally does, his dad takes him on a magical journey that eases his fear and teaches him to never be afraid to confide in his parents.

38 pages, Hardcover

First published May 2, 2017

About the author

Biography
Maria Kostaki is a native of Moscow, Russia, but has spent most of her adult life on a plane from Athens, Greece to New York City and back. She holds a master’s in journalism from New York University, where she was a recipient of a grant from the Knight Foundation. She has worked as an editor and staff writer, her fiction has appeared in Flashquake and Mediterranean Poetry, and her debut novel “Pieces” was published in 2015, winning a silver medal at the Independent Publishers Book Awards (IPPY) in April of 2017. “When Clouds Embrace,” her first children’s book, will be released on May 2, 2017, all the proceeds of which will be donated to unaccompanied refugee minors from war-torn Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East. But most importantly, she’s the mother of a four-year-old boy, who is afraid of thunder.

Reviews

[James Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Cloud's Embrace is a sweet and thoughtful children's story about a very real childhood fear. Lukas being afraid of thunder is something many young children can immediately understand, and I liked that the story treats his fear with kindness rather than simply telling him not to be scared.

The relationship between Lukas and his father is especially lovely. Instead of dismissing his son's fear, his dad listens and takes him on a magical journey that helps him see thunder differently. That gives the story a comforting message about how important it is for children to feel safe enough to share what worries them.

I also appreciated the lesson underneath the adventure. Children can sometimes keep their fears to themselves because they are embarrassed or afraid of how adults will react. Lukas's experience encourages them to open up and reminds parents to create that space for honest conversations.

The magical element makes the message approachable without making it feel like a lesson. It is a gentle story that families can read together and use as a starting point for talking about fears, trust, and communication.

A warm choice for young children who struggle with nighttime fears, thunderstorms, or simply learning that they never have to be embarrassed about telling their parents what is bothering them.