The Cloudmakers

by James Rumford

In A.D. 751, an old Chinese grandfather and his grandson are captured by the Great Sultan of Samarkand. Rather than be sold into slavery, they are granted seven days to prove Young Wu’s claim that they can “make clouds.” Grandfather and grandson set to work, using only what they have with their rope shoes, a walking stick, and a worn carrying sack. The result is Chinese paper, earning them their freedom and marking a turning point in human history. This paperback edition includes a new map not available in the hardcover edition.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Asia

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

I have been writing, illustrating, and designing children's books since 1996. I am on the verge of self-publishing through books that are printed on demand and via the internet. For more on my children's books, see my website: http://www.jamesrumford.com. I also have a blog about writing and illustrating children's books at http://www.calabashcat.blogspot.com. Besides commercially published books, I run a private letter press company and do limited-edition, handmade books. See more at http://www.manoapress.com. I am interested in foreign languages and in poetry. See my blog "Horace et al." at http://www.jasrumford.blogspot.com. I live in Honolulu with my wife.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of many amazing, inspiring books from a multitalented author: he writes, he paints, he revels in languages, beauty, and history. Through these books, we can too.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I liked the story in that it showed the process that the grandfather and grandson use to make paper. But the whole cloud thing? Totally didn't get that. Well, maybe in the artistry of what the grandfather is doing. But not in the grandson's constant exclamations over it. Not good enough to get into one of my story times, simply because I thought the ending was a bit of a let down. As exciting and wonderful as the invention and making of paper is/was, I don't think the younger audience would get that as much.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Chinese man and his grandson are captured by an Arab army and taken to the sultan, who spare their lives when they demonstrate to him how they can make "clouds," i.e., paper. This is based on a true incident, though not with a man and grandson. During the process of making the paper, I really couldn't figure out what they were trying to make, until the very end. It would have been nice if the book had included some simple step-by-step instructions for making paper the way they did.
A tad disappointing, but not bad.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting tale of how the Chinese secret art of paper making became known to the rest of the world. Interest level: Elementary/middle school.