The little cloud

An iconoclastic little cloud breaks away from the cloud formation that is massing for a tremendous thunderstorm in this comically thought-provoking story by the author of A Spark in the Dark (2022). Clouds that look like cotton balls with human faces hold a meeting to plan for the projected storm. The leader, Big Gray Cloud, rebukes the blurry-looking Little Cloud for lack of focus. It's true: while the other clouds gather cats, dogs, buckets, and lightning bolts, Little Cloud just wants to see the land below, not drench it--and is brave enough to say so, right to the booming leader's dark, glowering face. Little Cloud eventually drifts away, getting a closer view of the Earth. Little Cloud's increasingly close inspection is wonderfully depicted by the full-color watercolor illustrations, showing in panels what a farm, for example, looks like from far and near, almost imitating a magnifying glass. An absorbing tale, bolstered by subtle messages about following your own path and being alive to beauty.

Little Cloud is different from the others. Fong's delicate, digitally compiled watercolors introduce ephemeral white clouds with human features flying against purplish-gray skies. Everyone is "busy being busy," assembling their lightning flashes and water buckets, getting ready to storm--all but Little Cloud, who implores them to "look at the wonderful things below." "NO TIME!" thunders Big Gray Cloud. But Little Cloud's enchanted by the sights below. Briefly, we see several tall evergreens reflected in Big Gray Cloud's angry eyes. Finally, Little Cloud spots actual trees on the land below as a warmer palette takes over. Full-color, finely detailed farm scenes depict a red barn and a silver silo and a young East Asian--presenting child waving from a farmhouse window. The scene expands, and small vignettes show animal families waking up. Little Cloud is enchanted to see a little black-and-white cow glance up with a wink. "FOCUS!" Big Gray Cloud yells at the mischievous subordinate, but suddenly, an orange glow enters the picture, and bright sunlight chases away the clouds. No one can get over their disappointment, except Little Cloud, who's delighted at the pleasures of a beautiful day. Many readers will relate; this is a simple but effective read-aloud that makes lovely use of visual storytelling. A ray of sunshine for those youngsters who, like our protagonist, know what truly matters.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.