Cloudette

by Tom Lichtenheld (Author) Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)

Cloudette
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
In this charming book, Lichtenheld ("Bridget's Beret") tells the story of a little cloud who dreams big--and makes it happen. Full color.
Select format:
Hardcover
$21.99

Publishers Weekly

Lichtenheld, the illustrator of Shark vs. Train, turns in a quieter story about a small cloud and her search for a place to fit in (if the scenario recalls 2007's The Police Cloud, rest assured Cloudette stands on her own). It's not that she isn't popular with the larger clouds"Everybody called her cute little names"but that she wants to do things like "make a waterfall fall," things that are "big and important." And bigger clouds have a monopoly on creating storms, watering crops, and replenishing rivers. Sprinkled with punny jokes, Lichtenheld's polished spreads show Cloudette as a simple, scalloped-edged puff who looks mighty dejected as she tries to be useful. "Sorry, it's all done by machines," explains a man outside a marvelously retro car wash. Cloudette eventually finds a fine place to rain and gathers a raft of admiring comments. That Cloudette is neither bullied nor intimidated is an important point; she's the one who feels she has a special gift to give, and she solves her problem independently. Neatly constructed and nicely pitched, the message of self-reliance comes through as clear as a cloudless day. Ages 37. (Mar.) Copyright 2011 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3--Reminiscent of the determination and courage of The Little Engine That Could, this title delivers its message with charm. A petite cloud believes that she is not big enough to accomplish what the big clouds can: provide enough rain to water crops or replenish a flowing waterfall or river. She is inspired by the accomplishments and "good-natured" acts of her larger kin and wants to have a positive effect on the Earth. She floats over a dried-up pond with one little frog hoping for enough rain to revive it. Can Cloudette move beyond what she believes are her limitations and do great things? Lively illustrations in ink, pastels, colored pencils, and watercolors create engaging spreads and characters that tell a story above and beyond the narrative. For example Cloudette's eyes and mouth grow tighter and her color changes from white to gray to black as she builds up enough steam to form that much-needed cloudburst. A few themes emerge for discussions in this multifaceted book, and there are plenty of details for children to discover. An excellent choice for a storytime or classroom. Well done.--Anne Beier, Clifton Public Library, NJ

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Her [Cloudette] tale raises questions relevant to little children: Is there anything good about being small? Will I ever be as good as the big kids? What do clouds do anyway? They'll like the answers." —The New York Times Book Review

"Cloudette gives a sky-high and playful perspective on our atmosphere and giving the world all that we have." —UrbanBaby.com

"Little people who feel small and want to do important things will be inspired by Cloudette and will cheer when she finds her own pond-making mission." —BookPage

"Lichtenheld's depictions of Cloudette puffing herself up for a fulsome downpour will delight children, and funny turns of phrase ("Even the higher-ups were impressed") will engage adults, too." —Kirkus Reviews

"Reminiscent of the determination and courage of The Little Engine That Could, this title delivers its message with charm." —School Library Journal

"The creator of Bridget's Beret (2010) offers here another appealing story featuring a plucky heroine. Applying a full-color palette to his watercolor, ink, and colored-pencil cartoons, Lichtenheld makes use of varying page space and panel techniques to add subtle details to his narrative." —Booklist

"That Cloudette is neither bullied nor intimidated is an important point; she's the one who feels she has a special gift to give, and she solves her problem independently. Neatly constructed and nicely pitched, the message of self-reliance comes through as clear as a cloudless day." —Publishers Weekly

Tom Lichtenheld
Tom Lichtenheld makes books for children and people who used to be children. He's been fortunate to work with many talented writers, editors, and publishers who've helped him enjoy the best job in the whole wide world. Visit him at www.tomlichtenheld.com and on Instagram and Twitter @tlichtenheld.

Author, illustrator, bookseller, and activist: Julie Rowan-Zoch grew up collecting freckles and chasing hermit crabs in NY, and spent years slicing rich breads in Germany before waking up to 300 days of blue Colorado skies. If she doesn't answer the door, look in the garden! Visit her at https: //julierowanzoch.wordpress.com/ and on Twitter @JulieRowanZoch and Instagram @jrzoch.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780805087765
Lexile Measure
590
Guided Reading Level
N
Publisher
Henry Holt & Company
Publication date
March 01, 2011
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV029020 - Juvenile Fiction | Nature & the Natural World | Weather
Library of Congress categories
Clouds
Rain and rainfall
Size
Size perception
Size judgement
Ladybug Picture Book Award
Nominee 2012 - 2012
South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award
Nominee 2013 - 2014
Charlotte Award
Nominee 2014 - 2014

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