Rising Above the Storm Clouds: What It's Like to Forgive

by Robert D. Enright

Forgiveness is like flying above storm clouds and bouncing on big white cotton ball clouds in a clear blue sky.

It’s like the cat sharing her warm spot by the evening fire with the dog who fought with her that morning.

It’s like a mole sharing his underground home with a prickly porcupine through the cold winter.

When Freddy B. and Ezzie arrive tussling and tattling in their father's quiet study, he decides to lead them on an imaginary journey through the landscape of forgiveness. Together they see what it's like to forgive, and discover that forgiveness can feel good to the forgiver, perhaps even more than the forgiven. In a Note to Parents, author and psychologist Robert Enright, PhD, defines forgiveness, differentiates it from reconciliation, and guides parents in helping their children learn how and why to forgive.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

Robert D. Enright, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is the author of more than 80 publications and has been a leader in the scientific study of forgiveness and its effects since 1985. His work on the subject has appeared in Time, McCall’s, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times. He has appeared on ABC ’s 20/20 NBC ’s Nightly News and many other television and radio shows.

Reviews

[Jennifer Zaragoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is all about forgiveness and it would be great to read to a future classroom. It talks about forgiveness in a beautiful way with metaphors and examples along the way. It has a cute ending and would definitely recommend. However, I do think it got sort of boring and repetitive after a while (that's why it's a 4).

[Chloe Berntsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a super great message about forgiveness. As it begins with two sibling bickering, their dad goes on to sit them down and explain what it's like to forgive and why it's important. The illustrations in this book were different from what I'm used too but still super cute and fun. I would definitely have this book in my classroom!

[Heather McC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet book on the concept of forgiveness, the author creates several analogies (flying above the clouds or butterflies sharing a flower).

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

With so much anger and animosity in the world today, this would be a good one to share with kids.

[Madalina Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a beautiful and insightful story about forgiveness. Helped me to teach it to the children I work with. Thank you! ❤️