Review by Booklist Review
Ages 3^-5. Carle, who has been writing and illustrating pictures books for almost 40 years, proves that his touch is as sure as ever in this book about a cloud and the shapes it takes on. The format is simplicity itself. Against a heavenly blue background, a little cloud transforms itself. In one spread it turns into a sheep, in another a shark, in a third a rabbit. It even becomes a clown's hat, and then the whole clown. When it joins up with the other clouds, they turn dark together, and then it begins to rain. The oversize format features textured collage cloud shapes that take up almost the whole spread. With only one line of text per spread and such easy-to-see pictures, this qualifies as a perfect story hour choice--and segues nicely into a trip outside to look up at the sky. --Ilene Cooper
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A minor addition to Carle's lengthy list of child-captivating titles, this lean tale introduces a cloud that changes itself into a handful of shapes. Calling upon memories of objects it has seen, Little Cloud becomes a plane, a shark, trees, a rabbit and a clown before rejoining its peers. At this point they do what clouds are apt to do when they get together: "Then all the clouds changed into one big cloud and rained!" Popping out from a textured background of rich turquoise, Carle's luminous collage art features broad, swirling strokes reminiscent of fingerpainting. As minimalist as the text, these images may well inspire kids to cast more creative glances at the sky. Although the conceit is imaginative, the execution lacks the inventiveness and extra sparkle of such Carle classics as the "Very" quartet. Ages 2-6. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1A familiar story line involving the whimsical world of ever-changing shapes in the sky. Little Cloud drifts away from his wispy friends and entertains himself by changing into a variety of formsa lamb, an airplane, a shark, a clown, etc.before joining the others to form one big cloud that rains. Charles Shaw's It Looked Like Spilt Milk (HarperCollins, 1947) explores a similar theme. While the concept is not unique, the style is definitely Carle's own. His trademark painted cut-paper collages are eye-catching and appealing. Children will enjoy the simple text and the colorful illustrations.Kathy Mitchell, Gadsden Co. Public Library, Quincy, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
(Picture Book) Using white painted collages against the vivid blues of the sky, Eric Carle tells the story of a little cloud that transforms itself into different shapes - a sheep, an airplane, a shark, and a clown - before rejoining the other clouds in the sky to make rain. A delightful invitation to a child's imagination. h.b.z. Alison Lester, Author-Illustrator When Frank Was Four (Picture Book) This simple, humorous book follows seven children from the ages of one to seven, highlighting the small trials and the accomplishments of each along the way. "When Nicky was one she spilled spaghetti on her head. Frank bit the dog. Tessa took her first steps. Celeste ate the cat food. Ernie banged the pots and pans. And Rosie said 'Horse.' / But Clive smashed the china at his Great Grandmother's birthday party." The lively watercolors and delicate black line capture the spirit of each situation. Another delightful celebration of individualism from the creator of Clive Eats Alligators (Houghton). l.a. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Alice in Lace (Intermediate) For a class project on decision-making, Alice and her boyfriend, Patrick, must pretend that they are engaged. They have to plan a wedding and a honeymoon and budget for a first apartment. As in the other books in the series, Alice is a frank, funny heroine struggling with contemporary issues. Much of the book deals with Alice's and her classmates' emerging curiosity about their sexuality - they wonder what a wedding night is like and dress up in what they hope is sexy attire to serve Alice's brother breakfast in bed. m.v.k. Ken Robbins, Author-Photographer Air: The Elements (Younger) The third book in this series is graced with imaginative, thought-provoking hand-colored photographs and eloquent descriptions of fundamental atmospheric processes, such as air circulation, oxygen and carbon dioxide cycles, and ozone depletion. Robbins laces together a concise, fact-filled text with an understated, commonsense approach to respecting our environment. daniel j. brabander Jane Yolen, Reteller Little Mouse and Elephant: A Tale from Turkey Jane Yolen, Reteller The Musicians of Bremen: A Tale from Germany (Picture Book) Illustrated by John Segal. Two charming little books of folktales contain retellings of the familiar "Musicians of Bremen," a favorite tale needing no description, and the lesser-known "Little Mouse and Elephant." In the latter, Little Mouse is convinced that he is the strongest animal around and the master of the forest. His grandfather points out that Elephant perhaps may claim that title and sends Little Mouse out to see for himself. By sheer good luck, Little Mouse convinces himself that indeed the other animals fear him, even Elephant, and returns home firm in his ridiculous conviction. The two stories are simply and skillfully told, and the illustrations are childlike and humorous. Small pleasures for the young listener. a.a.f. From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A sophisticated idea deftly packed into a simple text. Little Cloud drifts away from its flock and turns into different shapes: sheep, airplane, trees, clown. Carle (A Very Lonely Firefly, 1995, etc.) has created a memorable protagonist and an appropriately abstract and formless plot. The text is printed on background the color of sky, on which appear clouds: familiar fluffy shapes covered with white and icy blue brushstrokes. As usual, Carle employs a limited number of elements, each under tight control. This restraint is precisely what gives the book its overall depth, imparting to the story and pictures a sense of possibility. The result is a philosophical suggestion, scaled to a child's sensibility, as open to interpretation as the passing clouds. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
