The Man in the Clouds

by Koos Meinderts, Annette Fienieg (Illustrator)

When the Man in the Clouds creates a beautiful painting, people begin to make a pilgrimage up his mountain to see it for themselves--the misfits find it especially comforting. An art expert tells the artist that it is very valuable and he begins to think about differently, determined to protect it rather than share it. Finally, he sees that his greed and possessiveness has changed the way he sees the picture so he tosses it into the fire and looks out the window with fresh eyes, seeing again the beauty that enthralled him in the first place.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens

38 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Koos Meinderts groeide op in Den Haag. Na de middelbare school vertrok Meinderts naar Leiden voor een studie pedagogiek. Die studie brak hij voortijdig af en hij begon met schrijven.

De samenwerking tussen Meinderts en zijn schoolvriend Harrie Jekkers is begonnen rond 1980. Beiden woonden destijds in Utrecht. Aanvankelijk bestond de samenwerking uit het schrijven van liedteksten voor de popgroep Het Klein Orkest, de inmiddels opgeheven band waarin Jekkers gitaar speelde en zong.

In 1983 maakte Meinderts zijn debuut met het kinderboek Mooi meegenomen. In datzelfde jaar verscheen van Meinderts en Jekkers het satirische boek Tejo, De lotgevallen van een geëmancipeerde man. In 1985 verscheen hun tweede boek, Uit de school geklapt, een satire op het onderwijs. Voor de NCRV-televisie schreven Meinderts en Jekkers de gelijknamige serie. Vanaf 1988 schreven Jekkers en Meinderts samen vele liedjes en drie theatervoorstellingen met Jekkers als uitvoerend artiest.

In 2000 stond Harrie Jekkers samen met Koos Meinderts in het theater. In Jekkers & Koos, Het verhaal achter de liedjes vertellen Jekkers en Meinderts hoe hun samenwerking destijds tot stand kwam en het verhaal achter de vele liedjes die ze samen schreven. In het boek Achter de duinen zijn hun liedjes voor het eerst bijeengebracht, samen met een cd met daarop vijf nog nooit eerder uitgebrachte nummers.

Koos Meinderts woont nog steeds in Utrecht.

Reviews

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een heel mooi boek gebaseerd op het gelijknamige boek van Harrie Jekkers en Koos Meinderts met zeer kleurrijke tekeningen. De man in de wolken laat je opnieuw kijken naar kunst, maar ook naar de wereld. Geniet van de schoonheid en deel het met anderen, lijkt het boek te willen zeggen, terwijl je de mooie woorden van Koos Meinderts in je opneemt, al genietend van de sprekende tekeningen van Annette Fienieg. Een kunstwerk op zich.
Mijn complete recensie lees je op Boekvinder.be.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one started on the right track but then seemed to veer off and never got back on track. The ending wasn't strong enough.

[Bindu Upadhyay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really beautiful illustrations and a very nice story.

[Maggie Panning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book that shows the value in not attaching monetary value to things. The value in sharing the beautiful things in our life openly, willingly and joyfully.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een prentenboek over een man die met zijn huis in de wolken woont (zo hoog in de berg dat de wolkjes vaak om hem heen hangen) en hij heeft een prachtig schilderij. Ik vond het heel interessant om te zien hoe hij van open en vrolijk naar paranoide ging zodra hij hoorde over de waarde van het schilderij. Ik vond het ook wel verdrietig, want hij had voor het hele prijsgebeuren zoveel plezier en blijdschap in zijn huis en nu viel dat helemaal weg.
Het einde, daar moest ik toch even om lachen. Dat is zeker een manier. :P
Helaas en dat vond ik toch het jammere aan het boek, we zien nou nooit het schilderij! We lezen wel een beschrijving en ik kon wel iets voorstellen, maar kom op, laat ons het zien!
Mooie illustraties!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The unnamed man in the clouds shares his beautiful painting with anyone who comes to visit. It's a peaceful, friendly, non-judgmental place to come and sit quietly. Then a stranger comes and tells them man how much the painting is worth. This knowledge affects the man and he slowly starts changing how/where people may look at the painting. He begins to guard it and board up his home.
The message is obvious but the ending was a little weak.

[Buku Arutala · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book doesn't have a 'wow' story. The story is not easy to understand for young readers. The plots are quite boring and the pictures are not too impressive. But, I still get the messages of this book that the writer wants to deliver.

[Babette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mooi idee, alleen een niet zo’n heel sterk einde!

[H. Givens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish he had reconciled with the children he rejected and hurt, as well as with himself.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this book with my stepdad Luc. i like it ✌️👀

[wildct2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting fable

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, the gift of sharing. And, oh, the suffering that accompanies selfishness.

[Lenore Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Man in the Clouds by Koos Meinderts & Annette Fienieg. When the Man in the Clouds created a beautiful painting, many people begin to climb up his mountain to see it. So many find it especially comforting. An art expert arrives and tells the artist that it is very valuable. That makes the Man in the Clouds determined to protect it rather than share it. He starts to destroy all he has around him in order to keep the painting safe. Finally, he sees that his greed and possessiveness has changed the way he sees the picture so he tosses it into the fire. That made the grandbabes ask why. When I explained that he needed to learn to love his life more than the painting they began to understand. Soon they turned the page and saw as the Man did that beauty was all around him always. (God sure does paint a lovely sunrise.) I have to say the watercolor paintings in this book were so lively.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Man in the Clouds had a beautiful painting that he liked to share with anyone who came to visit him. He opened his home and his heart to the people and they repaid it with little gifts. Then one day a man comes and tells him that the painting is very valuable. Suddenly the man wants to protect the painting and doesn't want anyone to see it. He becomes paranoid and closes himself off. Until one day he realizes what he has done and burns the painting; he then notices the world around him again.

This is a great lesson on what is really valuable and important in your life. I like the lesson and the story. The illustrations are great as well.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story that would be a good discussion book with a class or just with your own child. The man that lived up in the clouds on the top of the hill was always a kind man who welcomed people to enjoy the beautiful painting that adorns his modest home. Until one day when a stranger passing through town visits, informing the old man how much the painting was worth. The story dramatically changes at this point. Something so valuable could be easily stolen, paranoia and distrusts creeps into this once kind mans heart.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A parable of sorts about a fella with the most amazing piece of art, sharing it freely with anyone interested. When a high monetary value is placed on it he becomes guarded, protective, fearful. Ultimately, he destroys the work to free himself to enjoy the company of his friends and neighbors. Lovely illustrations and charming story-telling make up for a somewhat bluntly moralizing tale.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: 1st-3rd grade

An alluring look at the power of material objects and how easily someone can become obsessed, removed, and unhappy. Unlike other reviews, I appreciated the simple, non-didactic ending, allowing discussion to follow.

Mentions outcasts of society so may bring controversy. Bring it.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book about a man who learns the true value of things.

[Shanshad Whelan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the beginning of this book just fine, but found by the end of it that it had lost something of the story along the way. I agree with another reviewer that the ending just wasn't strong enough.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated, deceptively simple, provocative parable to be pondered and discussed.

[Jj · Rating 2 out of 5]

originally published in Dutch (Netherlands), 2010.