Calling the Wind

A Story of Healing and Hope

Trudy Ludwig ∙ Illustrated by Kathryn Otoshi

Hardcover

Published on Oct 4, 2022 | 48 Pages

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Ebook

Published on Oct 4, 2022 | 48 Pages

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Grades Preschool – 3
Ages 4–8

Inspired by the Wind Telephone in Japan, this poignant story explores the stages of grief, the healing power of hope, and the unbreakable family bonds that connect us all. From the acclaimed author of The Invisible Boy and the award-winning illustrator of One.

In a small village in Japan, a family mourns the loss of their loved one. Each family member grieves in their own way, but it is not until they discover an old-fashioned telephone booth on a windswept hill that they begin to heal. Through the telephone, they are able to express feelings long bottled up—speaking directly to their loved one and also to each other. Slowly but surely, the pain subsides, and hope blossoms anew.

Inspired by Itaru Sasaki’s Wind Telephone, which brought healing to the people of Japan in the wake of an earthquake and tsunami this story explores grief and loss, and how we move forward by finding meaningful ways to connect with the family and friends we’ve lost, as well as those who are still with us.

"Truly beautiful and poignant. This book is for anyone who’s ever experienced loss or grief, which is to say: all of us." —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan

"A beautifully written, quietly poignant depiction of one family’s journey through loss." —Kirkus Reviews

"A stunning and heartfelt book." —The Children’s Book Review

"This book is for anyone who’s ever experienced loss or grief, which is to say: all of us. Truly beautiful and poignant." —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan

ISBN 9780593426401 (Hardcover)
Published on Oct 4, 2022
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages 48
Dimensions 11 x 8
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3
Reading Level Lexile: AD320L | Fountas/Pinnell: T

ISBN 9780593426425 (Ebook)
Published on Oct 4, 2022
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages 48
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3
Reading Level Lexile: AD320L | Fountas/Pinnell: T

Trudy Ludwig

Trudy Ludwig is a nationally acclaimed speaker and an award-winning author who specializes in writing children’s books that help kids connect and engage with their peers in kind, caring ways. She has received rave reviews from educators, experts, organizations, and parents for her passion and compassion in addressing friendship, bullying, and cyberbullying issues. Trudy wrote her first book, My Secret Bully, after her own daughter was bullied by some friends. Since then, she has become a sought-after speaker, presenting at schools and conferences both in the US and overseas, educating students, parents, and teachers on relational aggression.

Her books have received numerous awards and citations including Victoria Soto Legacy Award, IBPA Gold Benjamin Franklin Award, Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award, NAPPA Gold Medal Award, Mom’s Choice Gold Awards, Moonbeam Children’s Books Gold Award, Comstock Read Aloud Honors and are included in the Cooperative Children’s Book Center’s Best of the Year Selection, NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Books for Young People Selection, National Crime Prevention Council’s Circle of Respect Book Club Selection, Junior Library Guild Selection, School Library Journal’s Best Picture Books Selection, Scholastic Instructor Recommended Back-to-School Picks, and more.

An active member of the International Bullying Prevention Association, Trudy also collaborates with leading experts and organizations including Committee for Children, ConnectSafely.org, Sesame Workshop, and Passport to Peace Foundation.

Trudy lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, two children, and their loyal hound dog, Hannah. Visit her on the web at trudyludwig.com or follow her on Twitter @TrudyLudwig.