Let me start by saying, this isn't just a children's book - it's a masterpiece that happens to be accessible to young readers. The way Charlotte Zolotow describes a summer thunderstorm through a child's eyes is nothing short of magical. I found myself pausing mid-read just to savor certain phrases that painted such vivid mental pictures.

The real test came when I read it to my nephew during an actual storm. The rhythmic cadence of the prose matched the rolling thunder outside our window perfectly. What could have been a scary moment turned into this beautiful, almost meditative experience as we watched nature's drama unfold both on the pages and outside.

That said, I completely understand some reviewers' concerns about the vocabulary level. While my 4-year-old nephew was captivated by Margaret Bloy Graham's gorgeous illustrations (seriously, they're worth the price alone), some passages did go over his head. But here's the thing - he keeps asking for it again and again, growing into the language with each reading.

The book does have an old-fashioned charm that might feel unusual to kids raised on modern picture books. The sentences are longer, more lyrical than what we typically see today. But that's precisely what makes it special - it treats young readers with respect, trusting them to appreciate beautiful language.

As someone who lives in storm-prone Texas like one reviewer mentioned, I can't overstate how valuable this book has been for normalizing thunderstorms. It transforms something potentially frightening into a natural phenomenon full of beauty and wonder.

Is it perfect for every toddler? Probably not. But as an introduction to poetic language and nature's wonders, it's absolutely priceless. Just be prepared - you might find yourself reaching for this one long after your kids have outgrown bedtime stories.