Family reading
A comforting story to read together before or during hurricane season.
The featured book
Shelter From the Storm
A Florida story about weathering a hurricane together and discovering the strength of kindness, preparation, and community.
About the story
There is always room for one more neighbor.
Deep in the Florida scrub, Little Gopher Tortoise is about to face his very first hurricane. When school is canceled, he and Mama prepare their burrow for the approaching storm. Just as they settle in for the night, visitors begin arriving in need of shelter.
As the winds howl above them, the animals discover comfort underground and Little Gopher Tortoise learns that a safe place becomes even stronger when it is shared.
Kindness and community are stronger than even the fiercest hurricane.Buy on IngramSpark
Book details
A story for homes, classrooms, and libraries.
TitleShelter From the Storm
AuthorToni Cuevas
IllustratorMelanie Dilly
SettingFlorida scrub habitat
ThemesHurricane safety, kindness, and community
Perfect for
Share the story in many kinds of learning spaces.
Florida classrooms
Connect literacy with weather, wildlife, and community lessons.
Libraries
A natural fit for storytime, local author events, and nature programming.
Weather learning
Open a gentle conversation about storms, planning, and safety.
Social learning
Explore generosity, cooperation, courage, and welcoming others.
Themes to explore
More than a storm story.
Hurricane readiness
A gentle entry point for conversations about changing weather and preparation.
Florida wildlife
A story inspired by the animals and habitats of Florida's scrub ecosystem.
Community care
An invitation to notice how generosity and cooperation help everyone feel safer.
Bring wild Florida closer
Invite story, wonder, and nature into the day.
Connect about author visits, readings, events, or general questions.