Families who loved There's a Hurricane in the Pool! by Jessica Gunderson often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is prone to volcanic outbursts of frustration because a new skill isn't clicking immediately. It is especially helpful for 'gifted' children who are used to being naturally talented and feel humiliated when they finally face a challenge they cannot master on the first try. The story follows Kenzie at a school for superheroes where her super-strength, usually an asset, becomes a messy liability in the swimming pool. While the setting is fantastical, the emotional core is deeply relatable for 8 to 11 year olds. Kenzie's struggle to modulate her power mirrors a child's struggle to regulate their big emotions and physical impulses. By using the 'hurricane' as a metaphor for Kenzie's out-of-control strength and anger, the book offers a safe way to discuss how frustration can accidentally 'flood' a room or hurt others. It is an excellent choice for normalizing the messy middle of the learning process.
