I was delighted when Vicki Berwick at Pushkin Press asked me if I’d like a copy of the children’s book Storm Child by Ele Fountain and sent it across. I’d like thank Vicki very much indeed and it’s my pleasure to share my review of Storm Child today.

Storm Child is published by Pushkin Press tomorrow, 4th July 2024 and is available for purchase through the links here.

Storm Child

Maya’s life is about to be upended. After her dad’s fishing boat is ravaged by a relentless storm, Maya’s parents make the decision to start over-by moving to a tropical island. But making a change doesn’t always make a difference. Far from her friends and her quiet seaside home where she spent all her time surfing, Maya is swept away by a storm much larger than herself. As Maya begins to realise that paradise is not always what it seems, can she bring her family back home again?

My Review of Storm Child

Maya’s family is in financial trouble.

Storm Child is a wonderful book. It opens in dramatic fashion and proceeds at a pace that captivates readers young and old.  

I love the way modern issues of climate change, sustainability and family debt are woven into the story, enabling young readers to comprehend adult issues in an appropriate manner, but without these aspects feeling contrived. Indeed, this might even be a story that enables an adult to have difficult conversations with children. It’s very clear in the story that grown ups don’t always have all the answers to life’s difficulties.

There’s a fast moving, frequently dramatic storyline that holds the reader’s full attention throughout, but it was the themes of the story that I found the most affecting. Through Maya’s experiences, Ele Fountain considers family and friendship, the difficulties of change and how best to weather the storms of life. The extended storm metaphor is brilliantly handled, from Maya’s tricky physical experience at the start and end of the book, through her father’s fishing boat accident, to the more intangible storms of starting a new life and making new friends. I thought this aspect was fantastic and incredibly emotional.

Maya herself is a wonderful character. She’s mature and sensitive in her outlook and yet very much a child who doesn’t always respond as well as she might to others, so young readers can relate to her completely. All the aspects that are familiar to youngsters are present in Maya’s life such as school and friendships, but there’s adventure and novelty in surfing, travel and a different culture too, making Storm Child a truly engaging story. 

Storm Child is beautifully written with descriptions that have a filmic, poetic quality and that feed the imagination. However, the most glorious aspect of the story telling is the way Ele Fountain conveys deep emotion through what she doesn’t write, every bit as skilfully as she does through her words. She provides such nuanced light and shade that Storm Child is profoundly moving as well as interesting and exciting. I confess there were several moments when I had a tear in my eye as I read. 

The ex-teacher in me wants to highlight all the learning opportunities Storm Child provides, from the potential for art or drama lessons in interpreting and illustrating the story, through geographical climate issues and astronomy to personal safety, but actually I think Storm Child deserves to be read for sheer pleasure. I loved Storm Child because it looks right into the heart of a child’s life and illustrates that true strength comes from family, friendship and being true to yourself. It’s a superb book that readers of all ages will enjoy and I thought it was fantastic.

About Ele Fountain

Ele Fountain worked as an editor in children’s publishing where she helped launch and nurture the careers of many prize-winning and bestselling authors. Ele’s debut novel, Boy 87, won four awards and was nominated for nine more, including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. She lives in Hampshire with her husband and two daughters.

For further information, visit Ele’s website, or follow her on Twitter/X @EleFountain.