Thomas and his cat live with Grandfather. One night during a thunderstorm, the electricity goes off, leaving them in the dark. The old man begins to tell Thomas about his experience on a similar night when he was a boy and was very frightened. Grandfather's gentle tale allows Thomas to relax and admit his own fear.

Storm in the night--lights flicker out, rain streams down the windows... This could be a moment to be scared, but Thomas and his grandfather huddle with Ringo the cat on their porch and share stories in the darkness. This lovely picture book is also a strong choice to share about overcoming fears.

Too early to go to bed, and with only flashes of lightning to see by, Thomas and his grandfather happily find themselves rediscovering the half-forgotten scents and sounds of their world. They have a wonderful time learning important new things about each other in a spirited conversation.

Mary Stolz and Pat Cummings have each brought their unique talents to this lyrical tale about a magical, stormy night and a special relationship between grandfather and grandson. A Coretta Scott King Honor Book.

Storm in the night.
Thunder like mountains blowing up.
Lightning licking the navy-blue sky.
Rain streaming down the windows,
babbling in the downspouts.
And Grandfather? . . .
And Thomas? . . .
And Ringo, the cat?
They were in the dark.