Grandfather's lively recollections about his own childhood fear of a storm occupies young Thomas' attention during an electrical power failure and helps Thomas to overcome his worries. A visual story-within-a-story assists readers with the flashbacks. Cummings' ability to challenge the eye with color and perspective is as effective as her portrayal of this African-American grandfather and grandson on a summer night in the rain-drenched neighborhood of their single family home. (Ages 4-8)