Nora's Storm Cloud Painter

Ages 3–5

On a gray, gloomy afternoon, Nora picks up a paintbrush and discovers that sunshine can be made, not just waited for.

Children learn that they can shift a gloomy mood by making something bright, turning big feelings into creative action.

Rain went tap-tap-tap on the glass. The whole room turned gray and glum. Nora pressed her nose to the window and sighed a great big sigh.

Biscuit gave one slow blink and flopped down flat. The whole day felt like a nap nobody wanted. Nora sighed and sat down beside her.

Then Nora spotted it: a tin box of paints, tucked on the shelf, waiting. "Maybe," she whispered, "I can paint my own sunshine, sunshine."