Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco

Genre: Fiction

Publisher Information: Philomel Books (31 pgs)

Awards: none

Summary: Thunder Cake is a story written about a little girl and her grandmother from Russia. The little girl is terrified of thunderstorms and so at the first sound of thunder her grandmother helps her to become preoccupied with baking a Thunder Cake, so that she will not worry about the storm that is heading their way. They count from the first flash of lightning until they hear a clap of thunder in order to tell how much time they have left to get their Thunder Cake in the oven. By the time the storm reaches their little farm house, the cake is complete, and the little girl and her grandmother enjoy eating their Thunder Cake while the storm rolls around them!

Reading Level: 3.5

Interest Level: 2-5

Integration Ideas:

Reading and Math- You can bake the Thunder Cake at the end of the story and discuss the elements of a recipe and following the directions of a recipe.

Math- Students can look at the different illustrations in the book, focusing on the patterns on the clothing and rugs, to find different patterns used. You can discuss patterns and how they can repeat. You can teach the students how to figure out the missing picture or number in patterns.

Social Studies: You can discuss your family tree and allow the students to make a simple family tree.

Writing: The students could write about a fear that they have and how they overcame it.

Personal Rating **** Great! This book is full of vibrant illustrations and a great story to bring about a discussion of fears and how to overcome them!

Potential Problems: None