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32 pp.
| Page Street
| March, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62414-655-8$17.99
(4)
K-3
Curmudgeon Mr. Sherman awakens under a cloud--literally: it's raining in his bedroom. The cloud follows him as he goes about his day, during which he notices that when it visits cheerful folk, it offers "just a brief bit of shade" before it vanishes. The vapidly cartoonish art undercuts the book's cleverly crafted insight that we make our own sunshine.
40 pp.
| Little
| October, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-0-316-47836-6$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-316-47838-0
(1)
K-3
In this follow-up to Caldecott Honor Book A Big Mooncake for Little Star, an impish boy who lives amidst the clouds gives in to temptation and jumps gleefully on his cornflower-blue bed, sending feathers fluttering down; a page-turn shows a rooftop covered in snow. Lin's illustrations are spare but expressive, with copious, thoughtfully used white space. A wondrous and exuberant story to which boisterous listeners and readers will surely relate.
Reviewer: Julie Danielson
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2019
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Brett Helquist.
Nadya (Nadya Skylung and the Cloudship Rescue) is back, along with her diverse crewmates on the cloudship Orion. Fans of the first book will likely enjoy this sequel, in which Nadya navigates life as a new amputee and takes on a gang of kidnappers led by the mysterious Silvermask. However, an overabundance of secondary characters makes for an occasionally confusing read.
305 pp.
| Putnam
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5247-3865-5$16.99
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Brett Helquist.
When pirates capture the adults of the cloudship Orion, it's up to plucky Nadya (who tends to the cloud garden that powers the ship) and her fellow orphan crew-members to rescue them. Helquist's dreamy black-and-white illustrations further bring Seymour's well-built world-in-the-clouds to life. The airy fantasy leaves some plot threads dangling--including one involving a civilization-destroying shadow--suggesting a sequel will follow.
38 pp.
| HarperCollins/Harper
| March, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-238664-9$17.99
|
PaperISBN 978-0-06-238663-2$6.99 New ed. (1963)
(3)
K-3
Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series.
Illustrated by
Mary Ann Fraser.
Branley's classic explanation of water and clouds in the atmosphere receives new, gentle illustrations of children and animals experiencing water vapor and the weather it produces in their idyllic neighborhood. The inviting text and images belie the sophistication of concepts such as evaporation and condensation, which are covered masterfully at a level appropriate for beginning scientific thinkers. Glos.
32 pp.
| Candlewick
| November, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-9498-2$16.99
(3)
K-3
Willy the smartly dressed chimpanzee (Willy's Stories and others) is on his way to the park when he notices a cloud following him. Willy goes home and hides, but the cloud won't go away until he confronts it. Even if the youngest readers don't relate to Willy's grown-up appearance in Browne's exquisite mixed-media paintings, the story's message about facing worries is worthy and clearly conveyed.
(4)
K-3
X-Books: Weather series.
These somewhat scattershot but browsable volumes combine history and meteorology with maps, statistics, and embellished photographs. Each book contains a countdown of the "Top Five Xtreme" examples of the weather phenomenon (or meteorological tool in Forecasting), with explanations of the science behind them. Cluttered layouts and occasional difficult-to-read spiral and vertical text detract from the information-packed presentations. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these X-Books: Weather titles: Clouds, Forecasting, Hurricanes, Snow, Thunderstorms, and Tornadoes.
(3)
K-3
This or That? Weather series.
Full-page photos and clear scientific explanations illustrate the differences between similar weather phenomena. For example, a blizzard is distinguished from a winter storm by its high winds; although both are composed of water droplets, a cloud forms in the air and fog forms near the ground. A summary of similarities and differences and a practical hands-on experiment are provided at the end of each book. Glos. Review covers the following This or That? Weather titles: Cloud or Fog?, Tidal Wave or Tsunami?, Winter Storm or Blizzard?, Hail or Freezing Rain?, Hurricane or Waterspout?, and Tornado or Dust Devil?
(4)
K-3
Bel the Weather Girl series.
Illustrated by
Renée Kurilla.
"Weather isn't so scary once you understand it," says Bel. In these books, she and her cousin, Dylan, experience various weather events, and Bel explains each occurrence to allay fears. Information is presented clearly, but the texts are stilted; additional facts appear in sidebars. The family dog and anthropomorphic weather elements in the cartoonlike illustrations add humor. An activity/experiment is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bel the Weather Girl titles: A Party for Clouds, A Snowstorm Shows Off, Raindrops on a Roller Coaster, Spinning Wind and Water, The Sky Stirs Up Trouble, and Weather Clues in the Sky.
24 pp.
| Child's
| August, 2016
|
LibraryISBN 978-1503807945$18.95
(4)
K-3
Everyday Earth Science series.
Each volume asks and answers three or four questions about earth science, from straightforward ("What Is a Cloud?") to potentially complex ("What Is Light?"). None of the answers, however, moves beyond the simplest definition. The accompanying photographs and diagrams vary in quality; some help explain the concepts, while others are merely decorative. A hands-on activity is included in each book. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Everyday Earth Science titles: What Makes It Rain?, What Is the Difference Between Clouds and Fog?, What Causes a Rainbow?, What Makes the Sky Blue?, What Is a Solstice?, and Why Does Earth Have Seasons?
24 pp.
| Child's
| August, 2016
|
LibraryISBN 978-1503807969$18.95
(4)
K-3
Everyday Earth Science series.
Each volume asks and answers three or four questions about earth science, from straightforward ("What Is a Cloud?") to potentially complex ("What Is Light?"). None of the answers, however, moves beyond the simplest definition. The accompanying photographs and diagrams vary in quality; some help explain the concepts, while others are merely decorative. A hands-on activity is included in each book. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Everyday Earth Science titles: What Makes It Rain?, What Is the Difference Between Clouds and Fog?, What Causes a Rainbow?, What Makes the Sky Blue?, What Is a Solstice?, and Why Does Earth Have Seasons?
40 pp.
| Disney
| October, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-5732-8$17.99
(3)
K-3
Pixar Animation Studio Artist Showcase series.
Illustrated by
Noah Klocek.
Concept by Noah Klocek. A cloudlet named Gale is so busy "Earth-gazing" that she's ill prepared for Formation School Graduation Day, when the cloudlets must impress the Guardians by creating cloud shapes. This is such a well-thought-out invented world that Gale's story could take to the screen--inevitable, perhaps, as the concept and majestic illustrations featuring sculpture-like formations come courtesy of a Pixar artist.
32 pp.
| National
| March, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4263-1880-1$13.90
|
PaperISBN 978-1-4263-1879-5$4.99
(4)
K-3
Explore My World series.
Simple sentences highlight facts about clouds, weather, and animals' need for water. Readers are encouraged to use their imaginations when looking at clouds. While easy to read, the vocabulary is also interesting and relatable, though Delano tries too hard for lyricism ("...playing hide-and-seek with the moon and stars"). The bold, bright, dramatic photographs fill the pages. Contrasting headings, fonts, and captions bolster readability. Cloud-watching tips are appended.
(3)
K-3
Weather series.
The processes that produce common weather phenomena and the resulting cloud types, precipitation, wind, and storms are explained for young readers. Large, crisp photographs dominate the layouts and vary in purpose: some provide excellent detail on weather phenomena, while others are more decorative. Although the sentence structure is basic, some of the concepts are not. Glos., ind. Review covers these Weather titles: Clouds, Rain, Snow, Thunder and Lightning, Tornadoes, and Wind.
40 pp.
| Disney/Hyperion
| January, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-5976-6$16.99
(4)
K-3
Dragon Gingersnap and dinosaur Freddie (Freddie & Gingersnap) take flight together, hoping to meet a cloud; instead they encounter two children in an airship, who pepper the creatures with questions and enchant them with magic and song. Vibrant, rich colors illuminate the fantastical world but also highlight the story's oddities. Though this adventure is puzzling, fans of the duo may enjoy their return.
(4)
K-3
Take It Outside series.
Illustrated by
Adam Record.
Kit, Mateo, and cat Jasper meet an amiable cloud that takes them on a high-flying adventure in the sky. They encounter cirrus, cumulus, stratus, and cumulonimbus clouds and see nature's water cycle in action. The flat but friendly digital art complements the playful story, which rather forcibly mixes fantasy and fact. A cloud-watching activity is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.
(3)
K-3
Our Wonderful Weather series.
Simple, straightforward text combines with color photographs to introduce weather. Beginning with a clear definition, each title then describes the origin, conditions, and effects on people and property, using historic weather events as examples. An uncomplicated follow-up activity effectively demonstrates a relevant concept. This is a well-designed, accessible series for young weather enthusiasts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our Wonderful Weather titles: Clouds, Hurricanes, Snow, and Thunderstorms.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Alison Jay.
A young boy can spin clouds into beautiful cloth. His mother taught him prudence--"Enough is enough and not one stitch more"--but a greedy king demands an excess of fine clothing. When the clouds run out, causing a drought, the princess helps the boy make things right. Jay's familiar crackle-varnished art strengthens Catchpool's whimsical cautionary tale of avarice.
40 pp.
| Immedium
| January, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59702-027-5$15.95
(3)
K-3
Translated by Akiko Hisa.
In a playful story presented in English and Japanese, a boy climbs onto a cloud and flies high above the city. Delicately drawn mixed-media art contains amusing details--the people below don't just look like bugs, they are bugs; cars are toy cars; construction workers build with giant wooden blocks. Speech bubbles contain common Japanese phrases, translated at the back.
24 pp.
| Bearport
| January, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61772-404-6$23.93
(4)
K-3
Weather Wise series.
These brief books emphasize the hydrological component of weather in simple, clear prose. Captioned photographs and drawings are bright and appropriate; each book includes a question for the reader and a "Science Lab" exercise. The series overlaps in multiple ways, which may bore a reader who understood the first time. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Weather Wise titles: How Are Rain, Snow, and Hail Alike?, What Are Clouds?, What Is Climate?, What Is the Water Cycle?, and What Is Weather?.