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Cloud Conductor
Frankie loves to just sit and watch the clouds. She conducts symphonies in the sky and listens to the melodies that only she can hear.
As the seasons pass, Frankie is taken away from her bedroom on the tales she creates. Even when illness means she can’t leave her bed, Frankie can escape to the beach with shimmering waves or the outback with thundering horses.
Readers will be enchanted as they learn to become cloud conductors too, no matter where they are or what situation they are in. Cloud Conductor inspires imagination that can be shared over and over.
As the seasons pass, Frankie is taken away from her bedroom on the tales she creates. Even when illness means she can’t leave her bed, Frankie can escape to the beach with shimmering waves or the outback with thundering horses.
Readers will be enchanted as they learn to become cloud conductors too, no matter where they are or what situation they are in. Cloud Conductor inspires imagination that can be shared over and over.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2018
1 person is currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Kellie Byrnes
15 books5 followersKellie Byrnes is a children’s author, freelance writer, book reviewer and blogger. Her first picture book, CLOUD CONDUCTOR, is published by Wombat Books, and releases May 1 2018. Kellie’s second picture book, YES! NO. will be published in 2019 by Little Pink Dog Books.
Kellie was recently selected as a mentee in the 2018 U.S. Writing with the Stars mentorship program, and was chosen as a finalist in the inaugural 2016 U.S. Ficfest competition. She can be found interviewing creatives, reviewing books, and just generally talking all things literature on her website's blog.
Kellie has experience working in the publishing industry, as a publishing assistant and then sales rep for Pan Macmillan Australia. During her career she has also worked in bookshops, and in various marketing, PR, and entrepreneurial roles.
Kellie has been a full-time, self-employed writer for over five years. She has created content for companies such as Optus, MYOB, Fiji Airways, St. George Bank, Sheridan, Mortgage Choice, Bridgestone, Intuit, Spirit of Tasmania, Natvia, and Gumtree. Kellie has written website content, articles, e-books, stories, newsletters, grants, resumes, social media posts and profiles, and various other types of content over the years.
Kellie was recently selected as a mentee in the 2018 U.S. Writing with the Stars mentorship program, and was chosen as a finalist in the inaugural 2016 U.S. Ficfest competition. She can be found interviewing creatives, reviewing books, and just generally talking all things literature on her website's blog.
Kellie has experience working in the publishing industry, as a publishing assistant and then sales rep for Pan Macmillan Australia. During her career she has also worked in bookshops, and in various marketing, PR, and entrepreneurial roles.
Kellie has been a full-time, self-employed writer for over five years. She has created content for companies such as Optus, MYOB, Fiji Airways, St. George Bank, Sheridan, Mortgage Choice, Bridgestone, Intuit, Spirit of Tasmania, Natvia, and Gumtree. Kellie has written website content, articles, e-books, stories, newsletters, grants, resumes, social media posts and profiles, and various other types of content over the years.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 16, 2023
This heart-warming story is deceptive on a first read. Sparsely written, we must look closer to notice that a hospital bed recurs to send clues to a medical condition. We realise that Frankie, a "very busy girl" is becalmed at her window through the changing seasons. She imagines a lion, shimmering waves at a beach, a courageous cowgirl on a horse. She listens to melodies only she can hear, conducts symphonies in the sky, her hands waving in time to the beat of her imagination – even on the darkest of days. We imagine Frankie's frustration that her only activity in an ever constricting life is in her head. But the story ends in hope when she realises her gift of sharing her imagination with other children.
June 1, 2018
Cloud Conductor took me right back to that magical time in my childhood, when I used to lay on my trampoline, seemingly for hours, gazing at the clouds. I imagined all kinds of shapes and figures in the ever-moving, white, billowy masses. I think the author’s mission was accomplished right then and there. This poignant picture book aims to encourage its readers to be cloud conductors, or purveyors of the imagination, and it achieves this in spades. It relies for its resonance, on the universal premise that we can all make out images in the clouds, whether or not we choose to indulge in this pastime.
Cloud Conductor tells the story of Frankie, a little girl whose active life is affected by an illness, from which she spends most of the book convalescing. The narrative takes us through the seasons of Frankie’s recovery, and her determination not to succumb to melancholy. Like many children searching for escapism, she turns to the world of her imagination. The clouds are the conduit by which she soars and roars through the brightest and darkest of her days. Her interminable spirit provides a gift to her fellow patients - other sick children who can escape their reality, even if just for a little while, by gazing at the clouds.
The sombre palette of the cover bodes a sensitive, or even sad story within, but the reader is soon taken through the full colour spectrum by versatile illustrator Ann-Marie Finn (of Lulu and Eric Finds A Way-fame). Finn conveys the beauty and power of cloudy skies, throughout the seasons. Byrnes’ simple, yet beautifully-crafted text, combines perfectly with Finn’s mixed-media artistic techniques, to contrast the often-confined world of Frankie’s reality, with the boundless world of her adventures in the clouds. Favourite illustrations for me, included the etching of the powerful lion ROARING in the clouds, and the photo realism within the hand-drawing of ‘cloud children’ playing at the beach.
Cloud Conductor tells the story of Frankie, a little girl whose active life is affected by an illness, from which she spends most of the book convalescing. The narrative takes us through the seasons of Frankie’s recovery, and her determination not to succumb to melancholy. Like many children searching for escapism, she turns to the world of her imagination. The clouds are the conduit by which she soars and roars through the brightest and darkest of her days. Her interminable spirit provides a gift to her fellow patients - other sick children who can escape their reality, even if just for a little while, by gazing at the clouds.
The sombre palette of the cover bodes a sensitive, or even sad story within, but the reader is soon taken through the full colour spectrum by versatile illustrator Ann-Marie Finn (of Lulu and Eric Finds A Way-fame). Finn conveys the beauty and power of cloudy skies, throughout the seasons. Byrnes’ simple, yet beautifully-crafted text, combines perfectly with Finn’s mixed-media artistic techniques, to contrast the often-confined world of Frankie’s reality, with the boundless world of her adventures in the clouds. Favourite illustrations for me, included the etching of the powerful lion ROARING in the clouds, and the photo realism within the hand-drawing of ‘cloud children’ playing at the beach.
June 15, 2018
‘Cloud Conductor’ is a beautifully expressive story, filled with messages of hope, courage in adversity and the power of the imagination to bring happiness.
Frankie is a busy girl, full of life, she loves to ride her bike, play with her neighbourhood friends and inventing incredible things. ‘Sometimes, though Frankie loves to just sit and watch the clouds.’ Her imagination takes flight and she conducts cloud symphonies, listening to the loud roars of the thunderous clouds. When Frankie’s dark days come and she falls sick, even while resting in bed Frankie conducts cloud symphonies.
Through her window she observes the seasons changing, spring brings blooming flowers and a playful dog playing in the white fluffy clouds. In her darkest moments she creates beautiful images of shimmering waves and children splashing in the shallows. Frankie visualises a courageous cowgirl riding in the autumn sky. As the season changes, she lays in her hospital bed and seeks inspiration and comfort from the wintry sky. This young girl is truly inspirational giving hope to other sick children, teaching them to become cloud conductors too.
Kellie Byrnes lyrical story conjures up imaginative word pictures, her alliterative and descriptive phrases are a delight to read aloud. Anne-Marie Finn’s layered illustrations combine cartoon sketches with bold outlines, layered on photos of grass, sky and everyday objects. She seamlessly captures the emotive text, transforming the sky scenes into Frankie’s cloud symphonies. Using seasonal tones she portrays the autumn scenes in red and gold hues and adds delicate whites and blues for the summer’s day. Even on the darkest days, she paints Frankie with her arms uplifted conjuring up the lightning storm.
Frankie is a busy girl, full of life, she loves to ride her bike, play with her neighbourhood friends and inventing incredible things. ‘Sometimes, though Frankie loves to just sit and watch the clouds.’ Her imagination takes flight and she conducts cloud symphonies, listening to the loud roars of the thunderous clouds. When Frankie’s dark days come and she falls sick, even while resting in bed Frankie conducts cloud symphonies.
Through her window she observes the seasons changing, spring brings blooming flowers and a playful dog playing in the white fluffy clouds. In her darkest moments she creates beautiful images of shimmering waves and children splashing in the shallows. Frankie visualises a courageous cowgirl riding in the autumn sky. As the season changes, she lays in her hospital bed and seeks inspiration and comfort from the wintry sky. This young girl is truly inspirational giving hope to other sick children, teaching them to become cloud conductors too.
Kellie Byrnes lyrical story conjures up imaginative word pictures, her alliterative and descriptive phrases are a delight to read aloud. Anne-Marie Finn’s layered illustrations combine cartoon sketches with bold outlines, layered on photos of grass, sky and everyday objects. She seamlessly captures the emotive text, transforming the sky scenes into Frankie’s cloud symphonies. Using seasonal tones she portrays the autumn scenes in red and gold hues and adds delicate whites and blues for the summer’s day. Even on the darkest days, she paints Frankie with her arms uplifted conjuring up the lightning storm.
June 21, 2018
rankie loves sitting by her window and looking at the clouds. She loves to listen to the melodies they create, compose tunes and conduct ideas.
But being able to see the shapes the clouds make in the sky is a gift she loves to share with others.
As we progress through the story we start to see that Frankie is unwell and needs to spend many days in hospital. But with her imagination, these days become much more amazing than they really are. Frankie sees a courageous cowgirl, children playing at the beach and a young girl riding a bicycle - all symbols of hope that one day she won’t need to be inside getting better, but outside amongst the joy of life.
The cloud conductor not only allows readers to see what life can be like for children who are in hospital for long lengths of time but also the importance of imagination and how imagination can brighten the darkest of dark days.
Positive thinking and hope shine through in this story and the important gifts we can give to others when they are feeling down - hope, joyful thoughts and imagination.
You will love reading this story to all young children and it might inspire some time to lie out in the sun and stare up at those clouds!
But being able to see the shapes the clouds make in the sky is a gift she loves to share with others.
As we progress through the story we start to see that Frankie is unwell and needs to spend many days in hospital. But with her imagination, these days become much more amazing than they really are. Frankie sees a courageous cowgirl, children playing at the beach and a young girl riding a bicycle - all symbols of hope that one day she won’t need to be inside getting better, but outside amongst the joy of life.
The cloud conductor not only allows readers to see what life can be like for children who are in hospital for long lengths of time but also the importance of imagination and how imagination can brighten the darkest of dark days.
Positive thinking and hope shine through in this story and the important gifts we can give to others when they are feeling down - hope, joyful thoughts and imagination.
You will love reading this story to all young children and it might inspire some time to lie out in the sun and stare up at those clouds!
June 9, 2018
On the surface, this looks like a book about a girl who is active and likes to look at the clouds, but on closer inspection, Frankie, the main character, has some sort of medical condition.
As the parent of two kids with chronic health issues, this book made me cry. It has a strong message that all kids have something to offer, no matter what their circumstances. Both my kids read this too and the message resonated with them too.
A brilliant picture book that will especially resonate with kids impacted by illness of any sort.
As the parent of two kids with chronic health issues, this book made me cry. It has a strong message that all kids have something to offer, no matter what their circumstances. Both my kids read this too and the message resonated with them too.
A brilliant picture book that will especially resonate with kids impacted by illness of any sort.
March 19, 2019
A lovely sparsely written story, in which the illustrations tell much of the story that isn't said. It's about a sick child who finds escape and solace by watching the sky. Encouraging imagination, this will appeal to all children; especially those seeking ways to cope in difficult times
January 29, 2020
What an amazing book! Having a child with differences health wise this was a really powerful story for our little family!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews