Cloud Country

Pixar Animation Studios Artist Showcase

by Bonny Becker, Noah Klocek (Illustrator)

Sitting there, among the clouds, looking down and day dreaming is... a little cloudlet. Gale would like nothing more than to make one real cloud shape. But instead, she creates something different. Wait until all of Cloud Country finds out!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Kids, Art

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

Bonny Becker is the author of a number of award-winning picture books and middle-grade novels. She lives in Seattle.

Reviews

[Christian Schultheiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Checking out this book just on cover vibes alone and the Pixar animation showcase on the front. But what I naively different think about but is obvious post read thru with my son is the fact that Pixar did the story and artwork that of course I’d end up crying, believing in humanity again for a brief moment and also simultaneously longing for my childhood freedom and wonder especially on those bright summer days laying in the grass watching those daydream clouds roll by. 4.25/5

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy thoughts.

Good color artwork. Disney freebie. Disney chapter books feature an expandable text, double tap the the text and it becomes larger. Usually you would double tap the pictures. The story of a young cloud who makes shapes.

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in a hurry a few weeks back and one glimpse of the cover stayed with me, I kept thinking about the book because I LOVE the sky and the clouds, always had since childhood. I returned and bought the book and read it before bed. It's lovely. I might not be the intended audience but what can I say? I love children books and movies to this day. The artwork is out of this world pretty, and the story is creative and I can see a beautiful and moving movie coming out of this story.



As a child, I always thought I saw creatures living in the clouds, my mom would laugh and say that the clouds were like cotton candy, so cotton candy was my favorite sweet, I thought they went on a plane to collect it, and each color was from a certain time of day. But school shattered my fantasy world and told us colds are not solid. All my fantasies of going one day to jump on the clouds evaporated. I must confess that the first time I went on a plane afterwards my heart was going crazy in anticipation to see if the clouds were really just air! I was 11.



There are links on YouTube about the making of this wonderful book:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQrUB...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZJ-l...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qmTd...

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this picture book, which is about a young cloud who thinks she's supposed to make certain shapes, and anxious about the fact that she cannot.

For this person with multiple disabilities, and this mom of a kiddo with dyslexia, it was simple and powerful to see that the contributions you can make are valuable, no matter what they are.

(Of course, you are valuable even if you can't "contribute" as well!)

Highly recommended for all ages, but especially for anyone having a hard time fitting into the boxes society tries to put us in, tries to tell us we ought to cram ourselves into.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whimsical story of a young cloud girl that likes looking at the land below. She's looked so often that her clouds take on shapes of what she has seen. However, it is Formation School Graduation Day and she is unable to make the usual cloud shapes. Her cumulus cloud takes on a tugboat, then dog shape. Happy ending.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be great to pair with Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld; this is more whimsical, and the pictures are so dreamy, which is perfect for a book about daydreams come true.

[The Book Consultant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet, really beautiful book about finding your place in the world.

Gale, the little cloud girl, is a dreamer and can’t seem to “do things right.” Which just means she wasn’t fitting into the mold she thought she was supposed to. It’s such a heartwarming moment when she realizes that’s it’s not only okay to be different and a dreamer, but it’s actually good thing.

On top of a touching story, the illustrations and colors are just gorgeous. What a wonderful book!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pictures are the point, in this thinly conceptualized book built around... pictures.

* If you're very visual, this book is for you.
* If you're into dreaming or wandering or pursuing hypothetical theories about dreams, this book is for you.
* Granted, this picture book really wasn't for me.

Still, I rate books based on how well they could have pleased their potential audiences. On that basis, sure, FIVE STARS.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really beautiful but reads like what it is: A story that would suit a short film or a movie but one not properly represented in storybook form. There is clearly backstory and little moments that aren't in here but that I can practically see playing out on a screen. It's not written like a stand-alone story, but like an adaptation. Buy it for the art, but not the story.

[Little Seesaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and it made me think of my daughter Megan. She spent all of her time in school trying so hard to be just like everybody else. Reading and math were definitely a struggle. The thing is she is so very talented in so many ways. She is artistic and very creative and she is so good with children. This book was so sweet. I hope she reads it to her own children one day.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely Pixar-backed book about a cloudlet named Gale who tries to pass her formation exam. It felt like the film "Partly Cloudy" by the same studio. Very likable. Has a sort of "The Giver" feel with guardians judging her and trying to place her talents for the benefit of the cloud community. Definitely out of the box.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this would have worked as a Pixar short but can see why they chose to release it as a book rather than movie. A Cloud who enjoys observing Earth below is about to graduate from Formation School. The problem is she doesn't know what kind of clouds she'd be able to create. Anxiety and mild panic ensues. Soft but gorgeous pictures.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the pictures in this book. Not so much the story, in which the little cloud was trying to make shapes. I could never look at the clouds and see the shapes others saw. It's a cute book and kids will like it.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a FANTASTIC book!!!!!! Great introduction and explanation of the types of clouds as well as a brilliant read about uniqueness, individuality, and purpose for kids!!!! Every teacher should have this book in their arsenals!!!!!

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved the illustrations of the Pixar Animation Studios Artist Showcase books and this one was no exception. Along with the adorable illustrations, the message of the store is so important about being yourself and that we need unique people in the world.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elementary and up book about a cloud trying to pass her final shape cloud test and only being able to produce human shapes in cloud forms not differnt types of clouds. Cute ending and great idtitiy theme.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

cloud fan? are you one who loves to lay in the grass and imagine great critters or creation in those amazing clouds? this is such a great illustrated book. loved it. so amazing. kind of like watercolors paintings? enjoyable. fun.

[Ollie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ So cute! This is a Disney Pixar picture book that is so beautifully constructed. The use of color is amazing and the story is simple yet adorable and shows the reader that even if you are different you can still succeed.

[Ashur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous, but not as charming as Pat Cumming's C.L.O.U.D.S.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Meh.

[Holly Letson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story that teaches you to be yourself, follow your dreams, and not worry about what others think.

[Lenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful picture book!

[Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theme: Don't be afraid to be yourself. Do what you can do, not what you think you're supposed to do.

[Adria Goetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this dreamy book. <3

[F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little story with beautiful and awe-inspiring illustrations.

[Jessica Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Illustrations, Beautiful Story.

[Autumn]

A BOY UNICORN??? My 3 y/o loved that detail and was so excited about it.

We've read this book a minimum of 50 times, so, obviously, this is a hit.

[Nanny B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story!!

[Earth&Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art, sweet heart.

[Katherine Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed a break from some heavy reading. What a delightful daydream I found while browsing Hoopla kid's books. It's about how one defines success. Very encouraging. And the art is lovely.

Then I also noted it is a Disney/Pixar book, from a series where Pixar encourages its creative team members to "delve into worlds of their own creation." What forward thinking! I'm going to look for more of these.

Noah klocek wrote a few similar books. I may just binge on him this week.