Thunderstorm

Geisert uses his trademark, closely hatched etchings to render the power and destructive potential of a Midwestern thunderstorm, approaching the topic and setting with the same seriousness of purpose seen in his Country Road ABC (2010). The spreads—more correctly, one continuous spread, as close inspection of contiguous page edges shows—begin with rolling farmland scenes as approaching clouds darken some areas while others remain clear. Cutaway views show the interiors of buildings and, in the ground below, the burrows of rabbits and foxes. The story follows a single farming family driving a red pickup truck hauling a trailer-load of hay; timestamps (“3:00 pm”) are the only text. The family’s roof starts leaking after the thunderstorm passes, but they venture out for another delivery, only to see a tornado churning in the distance. They take shelter under a bridge as the tornado descends on a neighboring farm, inflicting major damage. In the aftermath, helpers tarp the roofs and mop up. With multiple lightning strikes and twister touchdowns, the story is dramatic, though at times difficult to track. Nonetheless, Geisert has produced an ambitious and beautiful series of etchings. Ages 4–up. (May)