written & illustrated by MINDY DWYER
It’s Only the Wind is set in the foothills of the mountains. It is that time of night when young kids have a hard time transitioning to sleep and call out to mom from bed with one request after another. This story playfully hops back and forth between real and imagined, fact and fantasy, from soft, shadowy quiet to bright and colorful action. The story celebrates children’s heightened imagination with imagery that takes the children from their cozy beds into the sky, away from their room as they envision the meaning of their mother’s explanations. Wind words lyrically wind through the double spreads as the kids fly, sweep, sing, and sail always with their eyes closed, as mom has asked them to do so they can be ready for sleep. Sprawled among their bed sheets, the children’s curiosity is finally satisfied, as you will see in the end. Wind facts included on the last page.
“Charmingly written and beautifully illustrated . . . an engagingly fascinating story that playfully hops back and forth between real and imagined, fact and fantasy, from soft, shadowy quiet to bright and colorful action. . .
Of special note are the wind facts that are included on the last page. Thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end. . . especially recommended addition to family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 5 to 8.” –Midwest Book Review
. . . Useful for established readers to share aloud with beginners. A tame and traditional choice for bedtime. (Picture book. 4-7)” —Kirkus Reviews