Duke's Storm: A Story of Courage

a CESA 6 Publication

Illustrated by Allison Disch

Written by Ted Neitzke

Duke's Storm book cover art

Caregiver Guide to Early Literacy

This practical resource is designed to help caregivers support young readers through engaging activities and research-backed strategies.

Teacher Companion Guide: Duke's Storm

This guide provides structured, Interactive Read-Aloud lessons designed to deepen students’ comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills through engaging discussions and activities. (Plus, click here to get a coloring sheet download of the cover art.)

The Smart Thinking Podcast

The Smart Thinking podcast is for leaders like you. Join us weekly for reflective activities and strategies to grow and empower others. Listen here.

Duke's Storm Book Cover
Duke's Storm Inside Pages

The Story

Duke’s Storm is a heartwarming tale of friendship, courage, optimism, and resilience. The story follows Duke, a brave buffalo, and his loyal friend Tootsie, a buffalo bird, as they face life's challenges together in search of Duke’s family.

Through their adventure, Duke learns valuable lessons about facing fears and confronting life's difficulties head-on. While Duke initially feels overwhelmed by the storms, Tootsie encourages him to approach them with the same bravery and strength that a buffalo would when charging into a storm, rather than retreating like a cow would. With Tootsie’s unwavering support and guidance, Duke gradually realizes that true courage comes from standing firm in the face of fear, rather than running away.

As Duke’s confidence grows, he discovers that overcoming his fears is not only possible but essential to finding his way to the people and things he loves. Duke’s Storm emphasizes the importance of support from friends and the power of optimism in the face of uncertainty. It is a touching reminder that with the right mindset and a little encouragement, we can face even the fiercest storms in life and emerge stronger than before.

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The Story Behind the Story

 

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