Stormy Night

Lois Provost Turchetti is a professional children’s storyteller (in
English and Caribbean Creole), who also conducts educational workshops
in Toronto.

Originally published in German under the title Gewitternacht, Stormy
Night can be described as a child’s search for meaning.

In the company of her dog on a stormy night, a child expresses her
fears and insecurities through questions, thoughts, and comments. They
range from “Am I nice looking?” and “I’m scared of being
abandoned … of being separated from everyone I love …of being left
alone in the world” to “I’m afraid that nobody loves me!” and
“Will I know when it’s time to die? Will it hurt? When death comes
to get me I’ll hide so that it won’t find me.” Having faced her
fears, the child is able to accept her desires (e.g., “I’m
hungry”) and to contemplate fantastic scenarios, such as living
forever, “understanding all mysteries,” and having friends
everywhere. This rather philosophical tale about exorcising fears offers
versatility and possibilities for the imagination. Recommended.