One of the little joys of life is a cover reveal, and I have waited a long time for this one. I am absolutely delighted to introduce my upcoming book, Wind, Stop Blowing!
The origins of this story go back almost twenty years to an autumn afternoon in a local park. My son (then a toddler) had spent a lot of time and energy building a leaf pile so he could swoop down the slide and land in it. But just as he was ready to launch, a rogue gust of wind blew the leaf pile every which way. For a moment, he just stared in disbelief. Then she shook his chubby fist at the air and howled, “Wind, stop blowing!”
That moment lodged itself in my memory as a perfect image of how human beings of all ages often respond to unwelcome change and disappointment. Over the years it became a story, told in a folktale style, about a man called Benjamin Snooks who hated the wind because it continually made a mess, spoiled his plans, and generally disturbed his orderly life. As we watch Benjamin rage against the wind, then engage in increasingly absurd and futile efforts to escape it, we laugh at his antics–and maybe our own too.
This is one of those slow simmer stories that took decades to reach publication, but it was worth the wait, because Benjamin Snooks has found a home alongside Mira and Old Alfred in the catalogue of Skinner House Books, who also brought Mira and the Big Story into the world. Wind, Stop Blowing! has a similar folktale feel, but with a bigger dash of humour. This funny fable is illustrated by Sue Teodoro in a rich palette of orange, purple, and plum–some of my favourite colours–with warmth and whimsy.
Wind, Stop Blowing! will be published on May 6, 2025 but is available now for preorder.
A no-cost way of helping is to add it to your Amazon wish list or want to read shelf on Good Reads–or request it from your local library.
You can read more about the story behind the story in the latest issue of my newsletter.
Laura Alary 