The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm

Big or small, we are all vulnerable during traumatic times, but with love and creativity we can weather any storm. That idea lies at the heart of The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm, a story designed to help children talk about the “storms” in their own lives and to gently remind readers to look for the helpers.

When little Mica Mouse is frightened by thunder outside her cozy home, Papa Mouse comforts her with a special story. He reads The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm, a poetic tale within the book about a young rhinoceros overwhelmed when a storm washes away everything he loves. In trying to swallow the storm, Rhino only feels worse, so he sets off on a journey toward healing.

Along the way, he meets a series of kind and encouraging friends—a spider, a kangaroo, a tortoise, and a whale—who help him begin to release the storm inside and find his way back to light and peace. Mica Mouse, listening to the story, finds comfort in its message and in her father’s reassurance that even in difficult times, care and compassion are always present.

At the end of the book, discussion questions encourage children and caregivers to explore emotions together, showing how stories can create safe spaces for healing, understanding, and connection.