A beautifully illustrated story of a lonely child, Stands-by-Herself, and a village’s need for rain, Tim J. Myers’ The Thunder Egg reads like a Native American myth, but draws and speaks to many cultures. The story’s pleasingly evocative as children tease and adults seek for hope. It’s gorgeously illustrated too, from cover to frontispiece to pages filled with haunting color and detail. The book ends with a nice description of the story’s inspiration—a cool blend of myth, history and science—and with the illustrator's explanation of the pictures, including telling details a child, or adult, will quickly look back to find.

Children in all cultures can easily feel lost and alone. Grandparents in all cultures are often left caring for a child whose needs seem more than they can give. And adults in all cultures can relate to a world where the safe and predictable falls short. When rains fail on the plains, the holy man prays for the world to be made new. But how much can a child, or an adult, be asked to give up for the needs of the community?

Stands-by-Herself chooses for herself what she will give, and gains a story, a legend and a hope, as told in this lovely tale, highly recommended for families of all cultures.

Disclosure: I was given a free copy by the publisher and I offer my honest review. ( )