I’ve heard an author say that a good children’s book is one that parents won’t mind reading over and over again at their kids’ request. The Storm that Stopped is one of these books. Alison Mitchell’s engaging retelling of Jesus calming the storm, paired with Catalina Echeverri’s amazing illustrations, has made The Storm that Stopped a favorite for my family, and one I love rereading.
If the best Christian children’s books distill rich theological truths in delightfully simple ways, The Storm that Stopped does this masterfully. Written and illustrated beautifully for young readers, the book shows children who Jesus is in ways that will encourage trust in him.
The Storm that Stopped Demonstrates Jesus’ Care
“Wake up! Wake up!”
“We’re drowning!”
“Don’t you care?”
These words fill the speech bubbles of the panicking disciples caught in the middle of a storm, and I always love reading this part. Not only do the pictures and exclamations capture my kids’ imagination and attention, the words that follow minister to me too:
What a silly thing to say to Jesus! Of course he cared. He loved his friends so much that one day he was going to die for them.
What rich theology in a few short, memorable sentences! Our children will be tempted to doubt Jesus’ care during the storms of life. But his death for us is the great proof we have that our trials are not signs of his lack of care (Romans 8:32). I love that these words, “Of course he cared,” so affectionately and appropriately tell of Jesus’ love to my little ones. It is a truth I’m glad to reread and repeat.
The Storm that Stopped Demonstrates Jesus’ Identity
The Storm that Stopped doesn’t stop with simply highlighting Jesus’ power in calming the storm. In another speech bubble, the disciples ask, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves do what he says?” Then, with simple words and pictures, readers are directed to see the main point of Jesus’ miracle–that Jesus is God!
Children’s versions of Bible stories often shape the way readers come to these passages in Scripture when they’re older, and I’m glad that when my kids read this miracle in the future, they’ll have this truth in mind: That Jesus’ calming of the storm was a sign of his divinity. The wind and seas obeyed his voice because he is God.
Read it Again!
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read The Storm that Stopped to my children at this point, but suffice to say enough times for them–and me– to have it practically memorized. Even so, it’s a book I’m always glad to see pulled off the shelf for another enjoyable read-aloud and sweet reminder of Jesus’ divinity and care.
