Be Prepared Not Scared
Books
Henry and the Hurricane
Written by Brittany Perkins Castillo, CEO of the national rapid response emergency management, logistics, and disaster response business and illustrated by award winning illustrator and widely recognized kid expert Nathan Y Jarvis. Brittany’s vast experience with natural disasters combine with Nathan’s ability to engage, inform, and enchant children in Henry and the Hurricane as Henry and his family prepare for a hurricane.
What is a hurricane? How do we know when one is coming? Is there a safe place to go? Is it okay to feel afraid and uncertain? Henry and the Hurricane helps children prepare for the big feeling a big storms bring. The pages are full of kid-friendly information about hurricanes, feelings, and facts, as well as peppered with hidden objects for the readers to search for. Some are easy to find for the youngest readers—some are a real challenge to keep older eyes on the lookout! Join Henry’s family as they help him figure out what to do with his feelings while also showing him what kids can do to be stronger than the storm.
Hero Helpers
Even the most calm and prepared adults experience stress, worry, and disarray after a disaster or emergency event. Kids experience the same emotions as adults, often without rational thinking or knowledge to ground them. The author and her team have created this book after many years of living and working in communities after crisis events. They have listened to and observed numerous community-based responses to disasters. A consistent theme in all communities - regardless the disaster type - is when and how to best talk to kids about these traumatic events. This book is a tool to support these important conversations at a family level, at school, or in the community. Our hope is that this book Serve as a communication and learning tool for kids and caregivers in planning for or responding to disasters; Provide something for young ones to do post-disaster when they need safe, kid-friendly, low-tech activities and when parents need to do the "adult things" in response and recovery; Offer helpful resources to support the physical and mental health of kids following a difficult event; Take time to color or solve a puzzle with the kids in your life. Fun and connection are healthy for adults too! All proceeds go towards providing books and resources for children impacted by disasters.
Family Emergency Preparedness
The Family Emergency Preparedness initiative provides resources to support storm preparedness campaigns that are a valuable educational tool for government agencies, schools, businesses, community organizations, and citizens.
Partnerships
Save the Children
Partnering to support child-friendly spaces during disaster events, helping create safe, structured environments where children can play, learn, and begin to recover.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Bringing Henry and the Hurricane to life through interactive book readings that teach kids preparedness, resilience, and what to expect before, during, and after a disaster.
Kendra Scott Foundation
Supporting the Little Yellow Library program by sponsoring community book installations and hosting readings that expand access to disaster preparedness education for children.
New Day Foundation
Collaborating to provide Psychological First Aid training, equipping communities with the tools to support children and families in the immediate aftermath of disaster events.
University of Miami Global Institute
Working together to advance research, education, and community-based initiatives that strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience for children and families.
Resources
Explore a variety of resources to help support children affected by disasters, from expert insights to practical guides, research, services to assist families, educators, and emergency managers in understanding and addressing children’s unique needs during and after disasters.
Creating Calm During Chaos
A Simple Guide for Supporting Children in Disasters
During and after disasters, kids need to feel safe, loved, and supported. Parents and caregivers can help by listening carefully, showing kindness, giving hope, and keeping things calm.
This guide will help you support children in tough times.
Disasters Don’t Wait. Neither Should We.
Stronger than the Storm serves to connect people and organizations that are focused on, or curious about, the following topics:
1. WHAT is the reality for children in a post-event world.
2. WHY it matters that children’s needs are addressed.
3. WHAT the real versus ideal currently is.
4. WHEN and WHAT action needs to be taken.
Last week, we celebrated both Teacher Appreciation Week and Nurses Week and we’re still reflecting on just how important these everyday heroes are💛
We’ve had the privilege of seeing teachers, school staff, nurses, and caregivers bring the messages of Henry and the Hurricane and our Hero Helpers resources to life in such meaningful ways.
Through school readings, Little Yellow Libraries, and community events, educators help children learn preparedness. Nurses and healthcare professionals play an equally important role helping families stay informed, safe, calm, and cared for before, during, and after disasters.
Preparedness is about more than supplies and plans. It’s about people who help children feel safe and supported when storms and emergencies happen.
To all the teachers, nurses, school staff, counselors, and caregivers making a difference every day thank you for helping build stronger, more resilient communities for kids and families everywhere. 🌪️📚❤️
Learn more about our mission at strongerthanthestorm.com
#TeacherAppreciationWeek #NursesWeek #StrongerThanTheStorm #HenryAndTheHurricane #HeroHelpers DisasterPreparedness CommunityResilience EmergencyPreparedness LittleYellowLibrary PreparednessEducation ChildSafety
Happy Mother’s Day to the women who hold families together through every storm. 💜
To every mother, grandmother, mother figure and caretaker…your strength, sacrifice, love, and resilience do not go unnoticed. You are the calm in chaos, the voice of encouragement, and the heart of so many homes.
Today we celebrate YOU and the countless ways you make the world stronger every single day.
Thank you for your courage, compassion, and unwavering love. 🌸
#HappyMothersDay #StrongerThanTheStorm #MothersDay #StrengthAndHope #CommunityStrong
Stronger Than The Storm is heading to the 2026 Governor’s Hurricane Conference next week and we’re excited to bring back one of last year’s most popular sessions! 💛
Our hands on Psychological First Aid (PFA) Workshop completely filled up last year and even had a waiting list, so we’re doing it again for a second year in partnership with New Day.
Space is limited and registration is capped at the first 40 attendees, so don’t wait to sign up!
This interactive training is designed to help you support children and adults in the immediate aftermath of disaster while learning the 8 Core PFA Actions and earning your certificate of completion.
📅 May 12 · 8:30am–5pm
📍 West Palm Beach, Florida
And while you’re at the conference, come visit us at Booth 225!
🔗 Learn more and register at flghc.org
#StrongerThanTheStorm #PsychologicalFirstAid #HurricanePreparedness #DisasterResilience #EmergencyManagement @fiuccf
Our hurricane baddy Whirlwind Willie is already planning his next visit. Are YOU ready? 🌀
This week is National Hurricane Preparedness Week and hurricane season starts June 1. That means now is the time to get ready before the storm arrives.
All week long we’re sharing FREE resources, tools, and education for families, schools, and communities. From family prep plans to child-friendly preparedness tools, everything is free and waiting for you.
Because prepared beats scared. 💙
🔗 Link in bio → strongerthanthestorm.com
#StrongerThanTheStorm #HurricanePreparednessWeek #PreparedNotScared #familyprep #HenryAndTheHurricane HurricaneReady FreeResources BeReady
Happy Friyay! 💛
Introducing the Stronger Than The Storm Shelter Kid Kit! A curated activity box that brings comfort, creativity, and emotional support to children displaced by before, during and after disasters. Take a peek inside.
Each kit ships with our Hero Helpers activity books plus tools and resources to:
✦ Ease fear and anxiety
✦ Encourage creativity and emotional expression
✦ Create a kid-friendly space in any shelter
Because no child should face a crisis without comfort. 💛
For more information or to order yours, email info@strongerthanthestorm.com
#StrongerThanTheStorm #DisasterRelief #ChildrensWellbeing #HeroHelpers #sheltersupplies
⛈️ Are you prepared for hurricane season?
National Hurricane Preparedness Week starts THIS Sunday and there’s no better time to get ready.
Read together. Prepare together. 🌀📖
Our books and resources are designed to help families, organizations, and communities build real readiness before the storm hits.
📩 DM us to learn more, explore our resources, or request a bulk order for your organization or community.
#HurricaneSeason #HurricanePreparedness #NationalHurricanePreparednessWeek #BeReady #EmergencyPreparedness StormReady CommunityResilience PreparednessTips
It’s National Library Week and we’re feeling especially grateful for the spaces that bring stories, learning, and community together...our libraries 💛
Stronger Than The Storm has expanded its reach through our partnership with the Kendra Scott Foundation Little Yellow Library program. Together, we completed seven library readings with more to come!
Beyond Yellow Libraries, we’ve also hosted readings with the Boys & Girls Club and in communities like Asheville and Park City continuing to bring preparedness to life.
Did you know our Good Fun for Bad Days series, including Henry and the Hurricane, is now in four public libraries with plans to expand to 15 this year?
If you don’t see it at your local library, you can request it and help us reach even more families.
Because when kids are prepared, they’re not scared...they’re strong 💛
#NationalLibraryWeek #StrongerThanTheStorm #PreparedNotScared #LibrariesMatter #CommunityImpact
Happy Earth Day! 🌎🌱
We’re thinking about what it truly means to care for the world around us including the people in it.
Nature is powerful. Storms don’t always give us warning. But we can control how prepared we are when they arrive.
That’s why we created FREE preparedness coloring sheets designed to help families navigate before during and after the storm. Good fun for bad days ☺️
Prepared families are stronger families. Plant a seed of preparedness in your family today. DM us to request your free copy!
#earthday #preparednotscared #freeresource #disasterpreparedness
