Tsunami: Helping Each Other

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-A profusely illustrated account of the experiences of two brothers, Chaiya and Chaipreak, ages 8 and 12, in their Thai village during and after the December 2004 tsunami. Less focused on an explanation of a tsunami than most other books, the authors present a more personalized description of the disaster and its effect on its victims by tracing the boys' experiences as they survive disaster; reunite with their mother; learn of the loss of their father, home, and school; and eventually move into a temporary shelter and return to a makeshift school. Vividly depicting the tragedy and relief efforts, the outstanding color photos contrast the area before the tsunami with the sights victims encountered during and immediately after the event, and even into the beginnings of recovery. While briefer than John Albert Torres's Disaster in the Indian Ocean, Tsunami 2004 (Mitchell Lane, 2005), this book offers superior illustrations and demonstrates more personally the effect of the tragedy on its victims.-Jeffrey A. French, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.