When it comes to natural disasters, Tornadoes are among some of the world’s most dramatic weather phenomena, and they are a very destructive force. Tornadoes form when warm, moist air collides with cooler, drier currents and begins to spin in a powerful updraft, creating a twist of powerful air. These rotating columns of air can obtain wind speeds from 65mph to 200mph, and in some cases 300mph, leaving paths of destruction miles long. While most tornado activity concentrates in North America’s “Tornado Alley,” where flat terrain and frequent temperature contrasts create ideal conditions, we do get them occasionally in the UK, although the UK’s maritime climate, with its relatively stable air masses and lack of vast continental plains, rarely supports the unstable air columns needed for tornado formation.
Understanding the rarity and power of tornadoes sets the stage for appreciating Chrissy Hobbs and Ben Jackson’s new children’s book, Oliver and the Twisting Tornado. This picture book, the second in the Navigating Natural Disasters series, offers young readers a window into storm safety, emotional resilience and the science behind this extreme weather – all wrapped in an engaging narrative.
In this 36 page children’s picture book, Oliver and the Twisting Tornado, we follow Oliver (Ollie to his friends) and his younger sister Emma, as they learn about and prepare for an impending tornado.
Siblings Ollie and Emma live on the family farm. They are surrounded by clucking chickens and a creaky old windmill and are always on the alert for the telltale funnel cloud of a tornado. On the school bus they learn about the differences between a tornado watch, a tornado warning and a tornado emergency. When a special weather alert on the television interrupts their Saturday morning breakfast routine of cartoons and chores, the siblings move swiftly into action. Emma helps their mother check the family’s emergency kit to make sure it was complete and batteries for flashlights and radios were working, while Ollie and his father brought in the chickens and secured the barn roof against fierce gusts.
As the sky darkens and threatens, the family retreat to their reinforced storm shelter that is underground where they will be safe from the battling winds. Once safely inside and protected from the elements, Ollie starts reading his book about weather events which helps to calm him down by understanding what is happening.
Through accessible language that offers clear explanations of tornadoes and the preparation needed before one hits, the authors demystify tornado alerts and making safety protocols to respect the power of tornados while showing how to cope with them, making information about this extreme weather accessible and memorable for young readers. But it doesn’t stop there, it also looks at community spirit and everybody helping each other deal with the devastation, mess and emotions afterwards.
Overall, Oliver and the Twisting Tornado is an excellent picture book with education value. It looks at tornadoes, how warnings are issued, how to prepare for them and what happens afterwards. While we may not get many of the devastating tornadoes found in the US, changing weather patterns in the future might see that change and it is good for young readers to be able to learn about the stages of this weather phenomenon (according to the UK Met Office, the UK experiences more tornadoes per square kilometre than the US, making it an unexpected hotspot for these dramatic weather events – see https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/blog/2025/tornadoes-in-the-uk).
While the book looks at tornadoes it also blends Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) with key themes including:
- Preparation: Demonstrates the importance of having an emergency kit (and not just for tornadoes), knowing where shelter locations are and understanding weather alerts.
- Family Connection: Highlights how working together strengthens family bonds and easing fear.
- Community Support/Community Spirit: Shows the importance of neighbours helping their neighbours in the aftermath of a storm or other natural disaster.
- Emotional Resilience: Encourages children to manage fear through knowledge, planning and calm discussion.
This is an excellent book for enabling conversations about tornadoes as well as extreme weather and other natural disasters. A good educational tool, whether at home or in the classroom.
The story is told very well, with the characters being curious and asking questions, while nervous and anxious until they find out more about what is happening, making it very relatable to young readers. Their parents model calm authority, helping to deliver relevant information while reducing fear.
Tanya Zeinalova’s illustrations bring the story to life. Her images are very expressive and captures the impending storm, the swirling wind and the siblings’ mix of tension, fear and courage.
The factual information is delivered easily within a heartwarming family storyline. It is clear and direct without jargon so that young readers can take in and understand the story and warnings being told. It doesn’t lecture or preach meteorological concepts.
Oliver and the Twisting Tornado is a good educational and enjoyable tale and a good addition to the Navigating Natural Disasters series. It entertains as well as informs. While probably more relevant to US readers (and other countries that may have tornadoes) as tornadoes rarely touch down in the UK, this book is still very relevant – it teaches universal lessons about preparedness, community and courage under pressure.
A great story that looks at respecting the power of nature, being prepared for it and planning wisely, while having the resilience to cope. And I love that the book has a Certificate of Resilience & Preparedness that children can add their name to after finishing the book.
You can also read more about how to prepare for an emergency on the UK Government Prepare website, www.ready.gov in the USA and www.nema.gov.au/prepare in Australia.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £19.99 (Hardcover) / £10.99 (Paperback) / £2.99 (Kindle)
For more information, visit navigatingnaturaldisasters.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.
