Kumo: The Bashful Cloud

PreS-Gr 1--Kumo, a little cloud, is very shy and fears being seen making a mistake. But after many years of drifting quietly in the background, she is asked to take over cloud duties for a day. She gathers her courage and does her duty. She travels over cities and fields, shades those needing rest and sprinkles rain drops where necessary. She helps a shy child to see wonder in the sky, and makes friends--many cloud friends--who together can fill the sky. A lovely, quiet work, this will resonate with young children who themselves may find the world a bit frightening. There are good lessons to be learned here about courage, fortitude, and friendship. The soft watercolor illustrations are soothing and comforting. An excellent SEL read-aloud to help children understand their own reticence about being seen, this story also shows the many ways they can be present, as individuals or part of a group. VERDICT A quiet book with a resonating message for children who may be afraid to stand out.--Eva Elisabeth VonAncken

Maclear (If You Were a City) writes a tale as light and lilting as its cloud hero. Kumo, whose "only wish was to float unseen," panics when she's tapped for cloud duty. She'd strongly prefer not to venture out alone: "What if people point? What if I'm too airy?" Under pressure, she immediately becomes stuck in a tree, but a friendly kite and a breath of wind set her free. She gradually gains confidence as it becomes clear that her work--watering the earth and providing shade--is necessary and important. There's pleasure in it, too, as she assumes fanciful forms for a dreaming boy: "Kumo knew it was hard being small in such a big place. And sometimes dreaming helped." Quiet, sweeping panoramas, often in sunrise colors, nurture the sense of calm that comes with broad perspectives and new connections. Dion (The Big Bad Wolf in My House) emphasizes the natural forms of Kumo and her fellow clouds, creating distinctive shapes that bear just the suggestion of facial expressions in this memorable story about coming into one's own. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Jackie Kaiser, Westwood Creative Artists. Illustrator's agent: Sylvie Hamel, Anna Goodson Illustration Agency. (Sept.)