Wow. Describing the bottle as dad's favorite thing is a lot. This is a powerful book that the world needs. I hope it finds the right readers.

A difficult topic explained in a great way.

This was a difficult read, but it was informative. For kids, it says that there ways they can get away from the situation AND they can pick trusted adults to talk to (like a counselor). The back of the book was insightful as it repeated the tips for children, gave different resources, and talked to adults about how they can use this book. The illustrations captured the moments where Ezra's dad was under the influence in blue while yellow was used when he was sober. When dad was under the influence, there were also more squiggles in the illustrations. Really good book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A compassionate and informative book that allows children to explore the many questions and emotions that come with having a parent who struggles with addiction. Ezra, our book's kiddo, knows that sometimes a storm comes and suddenly his dad is different: he yells, he stumbles, he sleeps too much. Ezra knows it's because of his dad's 'favorite thing': alcohol. Thankfully, Ezra *also* knows that it's not his fault and that there are positive, peaceful things he can do on his own until the storm passes.

This is a tender but truthful look at addiction from a child's eyes, and it's full of great advice and useful resources. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

BLUF: The author masterfully faces head-on a tough, heavy topic most adults avoid. Highly recommend for families of our friends of addicts.

Overall: 4.5🌟
Lesson: 5📍
Illustration: 5 🖌️

Suggested Ages:
Read to/by: 7 & under.
Any older and the overt simplicity would be too much.

Mom's Review:
A great look at a heavy topic from the perspective of a younger child, showing the cyclic nature of addiction, the challenges associated with the understanding level of children, and a few good coping options. (I would have preferred to see a few more). The author also includes some great, additional resources at the end for parents, older children perhaps reading to their younger siblings, etc.

The illustrator's use of color was an excellent touch to contrast the two different (extreme) states of a parent battling addiction.

"A's" Review
(Pending)

"C's" Review
(Pending)

Dad's Review
(Pending)

(Full Traveling Book Family reviews to come!)

A big thank you Amanda Davis, & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

All reviews are our own.

Sometimes Stormy is about Ezra, a young boy who is facing a parent with an addiction. This book features a heavy reality for many children. The beautiful, contrasting pictures capture the emotions and are beneficial for this young age group.
One issue stayed on my mind while reading- the variety of different situations these children are in. In the perfect world, the parent would be battling this addiction, and this book would help a young child understand. This book is framed in a way where yes, storms are scary, but it's okay, because this is my dad, and every situation is not okay. I think featuring more support from the school counselor or the mother could have helped this story feel a little safer. I would recommend this story with a mindful heart over a particular situation.

In medicine we tend to call it alcoholism, but in other disciplines it is known as alcohol use disorder. In this book the attention is given to the many children of those afflicted with alcohol abuse and the symptoms and behaviors present in those who endure this particular storm in their lives. They need to know that adult addiction is not a child’s fault or responsibility to fix and lists several helpful resources including websites for children and their families. The child in the story learns to find his calm place and to stay safe during these active storms in their life. It presents age-appropriate explanations of the problems they face and that they do not mean that the child is not loved.
The illustrations by the author are simple, meaningful, colorful, and clear.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room, or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Teacher Created Materials | Free Spirit Publishing via NetGalley. Pub Date Oct 07, 2025
#SometimesStormy by author/illustrator Amanda Davis @freespiritpublishing @tcmpub
***** #review #goodreads #storygraph #NetGalley #bookbub #librarything
#Parenting #Families #SelfHelp #parentalbehaviors #addiction #alcoholusedisorder #mentalhealthissues #coping #stressfulhome situation #seeksupport

Alcoholism runs in my family, so I’ve had many conversations over the past few years on how to help our little ones understand what is going on. It seems so unfair for them to be whipped around by the emotional changes addiction can bring on. This book brought me to tears, as it was a simple, straightforward way to let children know that they are not responsible for their actions, that we don’t excuse their actions, but that we also can keep loving a person caught up their own storm. Thank you for addressing such a serious matter in a kid friendly way!

I am truly surprised at the new flow of book for small kids in dealing with heavy adult topics. This one is no different. For a child, it is very informative and objective in dealing with their feelings. As an adult reading, it is heartbreaking. I had a hard emotional time reading this one. The illustrations very effectively express the hard emotions of the book.

I loved the comparison of alcohol abuse to a storm that rolls in and clouds someone we love into a different shade of themselves. Also good length for a themed storytime and lively illustrations.

A heartfelt story that, sadly, will resonate with far too many children. Yet, it offers a message of hope, raising awareness while gently encouraging positive thinking and engaging activities to help navigate difficult times. The illustrations are beautifully done as well.

Sometimes Stormy by Amanda Davis is a powerful and compassionate resource for children ages 5–8 and the adults who love and care for them. Through the eyes of a young boy named Ezra, readers witness what it’s like to live with a parent struggling with alcohol use disorder, which Ezra imagines as a storm that sometimes visits their home. While Ezra hopes he can make the storm disappear, he ultimately learns, with the guidance of caring adults, that he can’t control it—but he can find support, safety, and calm when the storm arrives.

The story is made even more impactful through its beautiful illustrations, which visually capture the swirling emotions and inner turmoil a child might feel when a parent’s behavior changes. These images not only bring Ezra’s experience to life but also give children a way to see and understand feelings that are often too big for words.

This book is such an important piece of work, not just for kids but for parents, teachers, and caregivers as well. Instead of focusing on blame or demonizing the parent, Davis centers the story on the disordered behavior itself, showing that love and goodness can still exist even when that behavior makes it difficult to see. This is especially crucial for young children, who often struggle with conflicted feelings about hating the behavior but loving their parent. Sometimes Stormy gives them the words to express those emotions while also providing vocabulary, resources, and tools to help children and families navigate this difficult topic. It’s an emotional intelligence-building story that I’m deeply grateful exists.

Thank you to NetGalley and Teacher Created Materials for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.