When a thunderstorm erupts over New York City, the kids and adults in Elizabeth Bluemle's new picture book, Tap, Tap, Boom, duck for cover in the shelter of the subway. Bluemle, co-owner of Shelburne's Flying Pig Bookstore, drew on her years of city living to evoke the urban setting in this, her fourth children's book. "Feet wetter?/ You'd better/ go down/ underground,/ where the water/ can't getcha./ You betcha," she writes, using what Publishers Weekly calls "toe-tapping, jazz-chant verse." Illustrated by G. Brian Karas, the story shows how magic can happen when little misfortunes bring strangers together. The book hits shelves on March 25, just in time for April showers.

"Tap Tap Boom Boom": Bluemle reads from her book at a family-friendly launch party, with food, live music and a cash bar, Tuesday, March 25, 4-7 p.m., at ArtsRiot in Burlington. Find more information at flyingpigbooks.com.