the story of lightning & thunder written & illustrated ashley bryan

Bryan, Ashley. The Story of Lightning & Thunder. New York: Atheneum Publishing, 1993. ISBN: 0689318367

Plot Summary:
     Ma Sheep Thunder and her energetic son, Son Ram Lightning, live in a village in Africa and also have a close relationship with their friend, Rain. Together, Ma Sheep Thunder and Son Ram Lightning are able to call on Rain to bring great harvests to their African villages' crop. Throughout the story, Ma Sheep Thunder teaches her son valuable lessons pertaining to methods of conquering obstacles throughout life. Son Ram Lightening retains the advice given by his mother, but interprets the advice literally. Because Son Ram Lightning perceives his mother's advice from a differing perspective, the village King banishes the mother and son duo into the sky; however, every once and a while, Son Ram Lightning pays a visit back to Earth.

Critical Analysis:
     The Story of Lightning & Thunder is a Nigerian folktale that shares the characteristics of beast tales and pour quoi tales. The author, Ashley Bryan, utilizes these subtypes of folktales to "embody a simple truth about life (Vardell. 2013)." Ma Sheep Thunder and Son Ram Lightning are depicted to symbolize characteristics of the weather elements, lightening and thunder. This symbolic approach demonstrates how these weather elements correlate with one another in a manner that provides children with a simple understanding and basis for weather and harvest.
     Not only does Ashley Bryan use a context as if the story was written by a child, but he also incorporates bright and vibrant illustrations that consist of many geometric shapes. The shapes included in these illustrations are shapes and designs that are native to African heritage. Bryan does an amazing job depicting and providing children with a glimpse of African culture through the usage of his version of this folktale and through his vivid illustrations.

Awards Won: 
Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal (2009), Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrators (2008 & 2004)

Review Excerpts:

"The Story of Lightning & Thunder is one that any child between the ages of 4 to 8 will enjoy. Ashley Bryan creates loveable characters in this heartwarming story. Lightning manifests itself as a very rambunctious young ram and Thunder, his mother, is characterized as a mother sheep who struggles happily to keep her son in line. Children will enjoy this book because of its fluid writing style, colorful illu-strations, and satisfying conclusion." - Black Issue Book Review

 "Joyful in both word and palette," said PW, "this African story tells why lightning and thunder reside in the sky and not on earth, as they once did." - Publisher's Weekly

" Artist/author Ashley Bryan illustrates and tells this story as Southern Nigerian youngsters have heard it told for generations. Since it comes from an oral tradition, the story works particularly well as a read-aloud and Bryan's pictures filled with energy will also intrigue listeners." - Children's Literature

Connections:
Other titles written by Ashley Bryan that have been recognized for various awards such as the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the Coretta Scott King Award include: Can't Scare Me!; Who Built the Stable?; All Night, All Day; and Beautiful Blackbird.

Interactivity:

• Have children make the noise of thunder and lightning. (Incorporate the usage of onomatopoeia and depict lightening as *flash*)
• Ask children what sound a sheep makes.
• Show children where Africa is on a map.
• Explain to children the climate in Africa.