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In a Cloud of Dust
In a Tanzanian village school, Anna struggles to keep up. Her walk home takes so long that when she arrives, it is too dark to do her homework. Working through the lunch hour instead, she doesn’t see the truck from the bicycle library pull into the schoolyard. By the time she gets out there, the bikes are all gone. Anna hides her disappointment, happy to help her friends learn to balance and steer. She doesn’t know a compassionate friend will offer her a clever solution—and the chance to raise her own cloud of dust. Brought to life by Brian Deines’ vivid oil paintings, Alma Fullerton’s simple, expressive prose captures the joy of feeling the wind on your face for the first time. Inspired by organizations like The Village Bicycle Project that have opened bicycle libraries all across Africa, In a Cloud of Dust is an uplifting example of how a simple opportunity can make a dramatic change in a child’s life.
Ages 4-8.
Ages 4-8.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 16, 2015
49 people want to read
About the author
Alma Fullerton
18 books22 followersAlma Fullerton was first known for her award-winning free-verse novels for juvenile and young-adult readers, including the Governor General's Award-nominated Libertad. Alma's picture book A Good Trade was a White Ravens Choice, a Bank Street Best Book, and a nominee for a number of awards. In a Cloud of Dust won the Rainforest of Reading Award and was a finalist for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. When the Rain Comes was a 2018 USBBY Outstanding International Book, among other honors, and Community Soup was a CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens Starred Selection. Alma lives in Midland, Ontario
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 28, 2015
A young Tanzanian girl stays in at lunch to do her homework because by the time she takes the long walk home, it is dark and there is no light to see to do that work at home. The story, illustrated with gorgeous and realistic portraits, tells of one day when a pickup loaded with bicycles shows up. The school kids rush to choose a bike, and Anna is too late to get one. She is shown helping her school mates, and finally riding behind one boy on his bike on the path home. When they get to his home, he hops off and lets her take the bike, saying she needs it more. She replies that she’ll pick him up in the morning! It’s simply told, but the joy and excitement is evident in the story, of the need for bicycles in places where there is not other way to travel but walk. More than one international organization that takes donated bikes to ship to countries in need is listed in the back page, with a letter from the author. The book might be good for younger children because of the simple text, easy to read and share.
September 21, 2015
I love that this book simply tells the story of children in Africa in need of a bicycle in order to get home before the sun goes down. This simple telling makes this book accessible for more ages.
September 29, 2015
Simple and sweet. Great setting, lovely illustrations.
February 18, 2016
This little book is short on words but gave us many topics of discussion about children in a culture different than our own. Love it!
July 4, 2024
This is a nice enough picture book, I suppose, providing a small window into the world of a group of Tanzanian school children, highlighting how different their lives are from those of Canadian kids. When class is over, a young girl, Anna, stays inside her tiny rural school to complete her homework before she starts her long walk home. Her family’s dwelling lacks electricity and it’s too dark in the evening to do her schoolwork there. Responsibly completing her work means that Anna isn’t outside for the arrival of the “bicycle library” pickup truck that delivers bikes to the students. Rather than sulk about missing out, the girl runs alongside her classmates who have been fortunate enough to get bikes, assisting one inexperienced child to stay upright, coaching another around obstacles, and encouraging a third who falls. Anna’s good humour and kindness are rewarded by a classmate, who allows her to ride double with him. Once they reach his house, the boy, recognizing that Anna still has a long walk ahead, offers his bike to her.
An author’s note explains that in many parts of Africa people have no access to motorized transportation, so bikes are vital. This is especially the case in more isolated areas where kids have to walk long distances to and from school. People can’t afford bikes but there are charitable organizations, such as the Village Bicycle Project and Bikes for Humanity, which have opened bicycle libraries. Kids can sign out bikes, just as Canadian kids sign out books at public libraries. Fullerton lists several organizations that lend out bikes, and she provides information, including the web addresses, for those who might like to donate to these “libraries.”
As lovely as Fullerton’s messages are, I found this brief book slightly lacking. For one thing, there really isn’t much of a story here. I also think a young audience would have been better served by having the information contained in the author’s note incorporated into the narrative itself. It would have provided context. The end note is in tiny font and could easily be missed by some readers. Alternatively, a forward in kid-friendly language introducing the idea of “bike libraries” could have been provided.
I also wasn’t crazy about Brian Deines’s fuzzy, muddy-coloured art. Yes, I get that the illustrator wanted to communicate the heat and dust of Tanzania, but the excess of dull orange and muted shades of green and brown did not impress.
As I said: this is a nice enough picture book—I’m always touched by books that feature the very real natural generosity of many children. In the end, however, this is not a text I can wholeheartedly recommend.
An author’s note explains that in many parts of Africa people have no access to motorized transportation, so bikes are vital. This is especially the case in more isolated areas where kids have to walk long distances to and from school. People can’t afford bikes but there are charitable organizations, such as the Village Bicycle Project and Bikes for Humanity, which have opened bicycle libraries. Kids can sign out bikes, just as Canadian kids sign out books at public libraries. Fullerton lists several organizations that lend out bikes, and she provides information, including the web addresses, for those who might like to donate to these “libraries.”
As lovely as Fullerton’s messages are, I found this brief book slightly lacking. For one thing, there really isn’t much of a story here. I also think a young audience would have been better served by having the information contained in the author’s note incorporated into the narrative itself. It would have provided context. The end note is in tiny font and could easily be missed by some readers. Alternatively, a forward in kid-friendly language introducing the idea of “bike libraries” could have been provided.
I also wasn’t crazy about Brian Deines’s fuzzy, muddy-coloured art. Yes, I get that the illustrator wanted to communicate the heat and dust of Tanzania, but the excess of dull orange and muted shades of green and brown did not impress.
As I said: this is a nice enough picture book—I’m always touched by books that feature the very real natural generosity of many children. In the end, however, this is not a text I can wholeheartedly recommend.
July 17, 2022
This very brief but important story shares an episode in the life of several Tanzanian children where, after school one day, the Bicycle Library delivers bicycles to the children to quicken their journey to school. As the bikes are unloaded, only Anna does not get a bike: not enough to go around. But she generously helps teach her friends to ride. When the children leave for home, each gives Anna a ride, and at the "last stop" before her final journey Mohammed gives her his bike to take home.
Back matter explains the importance of bicycles to so many African countries.
Back matter explains the importance of bicycles to so many African countries.
May 16, 2022
What a sweet, simple, and beautiful story that perfectly encompasses the joy, friendship, and selflessness that can be found within the people of Tanzania. This story warmed my heart. Anna is late to the bicycle library and looses out on her turn to rent a bicycle. But she continues to help her friends use their individual bicycles and in the end everyone benefits. Great resources at the end that talk about organizations that distribute bicycles on the continent.
February 22, 2023
All of the children in Anna's class got bikes but she was too late. Even though she was disappointed she was very happy for her friends. One of them has a bright idea of how she can ride too. This is a beautiful book about friendship with lovely illustrations.
January 26, 2019
Short, expressive, poignant. About sharing for the good of all. Enjoyable, would make a great preschool time read. Love the illustrations.
May 24, 2017
Five themes - movement
Pair with the Red Bicycle by Jude Isabella.
Pair with the Red Bicycle by Jude Isabella.
February 28, 2018
Meh. It was fine.
June 19, 2018
I liked it!
February 3, 2021
Lovely illustrations and a lovely story about friendship, fun, and helping others. It could definitely be used for storytime in so many different ways, depending on the age group.
May 3, 2022
Short but sweet. We liked the ending when they shared the bikes and Anna got one because she had the farthest to travel.
February 16, 2017
This story takes place in a remote Tanzanian village.
There's definitely a dry, dusty feel to in the illustrations.
You're quickly introduced to Anna, the hero in this story, who is a hard worker and who graciously helps her friends learn to bike.
It's very touching to read about how a bicycle library helps improve the lives of these children, and the information in the back of the book about organizations working to lend bicycles to children who need them is very interesting.
My children liked the book and immediately wondered if their old bikes could be donated to help kids in need.
Great book!
There's definitely a dry, dusty feel to in the illustrations.
You're quickly introduced to Anna, the hero in this story, who is a hard worker and who graciously helps her friends learn to bike.
It's very touching to read about how a bicycle library helps improve the lives of these children, and the information in the back of the book about organizations working to lend bicycles to children who need them is very interesting.
My children liked the book and immediately wondered if their old bikes could be donated to help kids in need.
Great book!
January 10, 2016
Anna goes to school in Tanzania at the end of a long dusty road. She walks a long way to and from school each day. Then one day her teacher calls her outside where a truck full of bicycles has stopped in a cloud of dust. Joseph, from the bicycle repair shop leaves bicycles on the road for the children. Many of her friends get new bicycles, but by the time Anna gets there, there are none left. Anna helps her friends learn how to ride the bicycles in the road outside the school building. Then when it is time to go home, Anna runs behind the others and catches a ride with several of her friends. At the last stop her friend Mohammad hands the bicycle to Anna because he is home and she still has a long way to go. Anna hops on and rides away in her own cloud of dust, promising to pick him up on the way to school the next morning.
http://julianaleewriter.com/books-ali...
http://julianaleewriter.com/books-ali...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2015
This book takes place in a village of Tanzania. In the schoolhouse, Anna is finishing her work during their lunch break when a truck full of bikes stops a the school. The students were given these bikes and were so excited that they can now ride them to school. This book did not really depict this particular culture group aside from the fact that they do not have access to transportation in this area. "50% of people in Southern African countries are what the governments consider 'stranded' (with no access to motorized transportation of 'survival' (with very limited access to motorized transportation" (p. 29). There are organizations in the USA that distributes bikes to developing countries.
December 1, 2015
Because there is no electricity at home by which to complete her homework, Anna works hard during school, even staying inside during her lunch break. When she misses out on a chance for a bicycle, she still helps her classmates ride the ones that have been donated for their use. One of them shares a ride with her and then lets her take the bike home so they both can share it. The story's simplicity and the act of compassion highlight the bicycle libraries that allow children to reach school more rapidly, and the oil illustrations are stunning in their own right, paying visual tribute to Tanzania's physical beauty and the determination of its children to strive for an education.
December 27, 2015
Setting: Tanzania
Author & illustrator are from Ontario, Canada
Author's note explains the importance of bicycles in Africa, where many children have very long ways to walk to school. In the story, Anna has so far that she stays in at lunch to do her homework because it will be dark when she gets home. Though she is disappointed not to get a bike from the lending library when it shows up, she helps her friends balance and ride and runs beside them. One friend lets Anna continue on his bike when he reaches his destination, as she has farther to go. The author's note also profiles several organizations that donate bikes to communities like Anna's.
Author & illustrator are from Ontario, Canada
Author's note explains the importance of bicycles in Africa, where many children have very long ways to walk to school. In the story, Anna has so far that she stays in at lunch to do her homework because it will be dark when she gets home. Though she is disappointed not to get a bike from the lending library when it shows up, she helps her friends balance and ride and runs beside them. One friend lets Anna continue on his bike when he reaches his destination, as she has farther to go. The author's note also profiles several organizations that donate bikes to communities like Anna's.
November 9, 2015
I quite enjoyed this simple tale. I had pegged this title as the Blue Spruce nominee that I would like the least. It is actually one of my favorites for the 2016 selections. Simple and short, it show kindness, joy and cooperation. Disappointment is dealt with by the characters without and whining or jealous. She is genuinely happy for her friends and thrilled to help them. Her friends also help her without the need for negotiation or payback. It is refreshing and hopeful. Worth the read!
January 5, 2016
Anna is a young Tanzanian girl who works hard at school but lives in extreme poverty. One day a Bicycle Library comes to her school and delivers bicycles for the students so that they don't have to walk so far to school each day.
A simple story about a community that has little and exemplifies the benefits of working together and sharing with each other.
The author's note at the back of the book explains how a single opportunity like being given a bike has the potential to change a life.
A simple story about a community that has little and exemplifies the benefits of working together and sharing with each other.
The author's note at the back of the book explains how a single opportunity like being given a bike has the potential to change a life.
February 6, 2016
Read aloud 12 times to students from JK-6. Blue Spruce nominee 2016. The artwork is glorious and is the reason this story merits the star rating that it does.
This is a social justice story about access to transportation in Tanzania. I have nothing against social justice--indeed, I'm certain that's exactly why they keep nominating Alma Fullerton. It's just not a terribly engaging story. The Author Notes at the back of the book make a far more interesting story.
This is a social justice story about access to transportation in Tanzania. I have nothing against social justice--indeed, I'm certain that's exactly why they keep nominating Alma Fullerton. It's just not a terribly engaging story. The Author Notes at the back of the book make a far more interesting story.
June 13, 2015
In Southern Africa communities have no motorized transportation and rely on borrowing from the bicycle library. With the help of her friends Anna finds a way to school to make her long journey to school a little easier. Illustrated beautifully in shades of orange this book shows readers 4 to 8 friendship can be found around the world.
July 2, 2015
Anna misses out on a chance for a donated bicycle, but she helps her classmates learn to ride theirs. One of them shares a ride with her and then lets her take the bike home so they both can share it. A simple, expressive story of compassion highlighting the bicycle libraries that allow children to reach school in Tanzania and other parts of Africa more rapidly.
September 20, 2015
Beautiful pictures, and an introduction to a great need/cause. I wish there was more information on the bike "libraries" or programs that lend out bicycles to communities in need. This story was just ok. Wish it had gone deeper, or just said more.
October 22, 2015
I would love to have this book in a school library. It shows how a hand-me-down bike can make such a difference in another part of the world. Part of the Me-to-We challenge that so many Canadian schools embrace. And the illustrations by Brian Deines - artwork for my heart. Highly recommended. K-5
April 10, 2016
Remember me Rohan_Charles from the rainforest of reading from Pierrot Combined.#
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2016
an enjoyable book about a kid who gets a bike and
how it changes his life...I read it twice in a row...
how it changes his life...I read it twice in a row...
November 19, 2015
Gorgeous illustrations; story needs a bit more oomph.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews