What do you think?
Rate this book
The Clouds Above
The Clouds Above is a rip-roaring adventure about a kid named Simon, who skips school one day with his cat, Jack. They climb a magic staircase leading skyward, encounter a sad cloud named Perch and get mixed up in a conflict involving him, some nasty storm clouds and an irritable flock of birds. Will they make back home safely in time for school tomorrow? This brilliant, full-color graphic novel doubles as a wondrous children's book, recalling such classics as Where the Wild Things Are, The Wizard of Oz and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, with its depiction of a fantastic world that lurks just around the corner from reality and that only children know exists.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2005
1 person is currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
Jordan Crane
43 books59 followersJordan Crane is a cartoonist living in Los Angeles, CA with his wife and kids. Crane first emerged in 1996 with the iconic comics anthology NON, which he edited, designed, printed, contributed to, and published.
He has four graphic novels, The Last Lonely Saturday, Col-Dee, and The Clouds Above, and Keeping Two.
He has four graphic novels, The Last Lonely Saturday, Col-Dee, and The Clouds Above, and Keeping Two.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
November 3, 2020
One of the most boring and unnecessary graphic novels I have ever read. No plot. No character development. Just that a kid and his cat. And his imagination to climb an unending staircase up towards the sky. There he meets a sad pink cloud who keeps crying to make it rain. That's it.
I like the colours pink and green. That's all.
I like the colours pink and green. That's all.
November 9, 2019
A kind of retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk where the beanstalk is a talking cat. Jack skips school to climb a ladder to the clouds, and then gets dumped back in his classroom by a bunch of annoyed birds. I wasn't acquainted with Jordan Crane's work but I got this from the library because 1) Fantagraphics produced it, so it will have just enough quirk about it to distinguish it from other kid stories, and 2) because Crane does have a touch of the absurd in his work, with a nod to Golden Age comics.
Read
July 27, 2015One of my favorite graphic novels – and an absolute joy to reread.
(The cat’s so awesome!)
(The cat’s so awesome!)
March 24, 2025
I found this book at just the right time...lighthearted yet with filled with deeper concepts of friendship that will have you reflecting on how we form relationships. A young boy (Simon) and a cat (Jack) find that there are different 'clouds' that will drift into your life; what is important is how you meet the clouds and deal with changing situations - a great read for an overcast day!
October 1, 2009
Pretty much a perfect comic for kids. Amazing art and narrative. It really shows the diversity of work published by Fanagraphics and the quality of their books right across the board.Jordan Crane's art is stunning, it totally charms you from the first page.
October 5, 2015
Beautifully illustrated book, one square framed panel per page except for a few full-page illustrations. Because the main character is named Jack and because he ascends a strange staircase into the sky I saw this as a contemporary retelling of Jack and the Giant Beanstalk.
All-in-all a little adventure for Jack and his cat and a nice rain cloud. The adventure is not terribly satisfying though visually appealing. And the framing gives it a little more of a sense of narrative fullness.
Framing = Jack is late to horrible school and almost gets in trouble. Apparently the teacher Mrs. Poe has threatened to "bludgeon" him "with a phonebook" if he's late again. (Wow. That's serious.) And when he tries to slip into the classroom unseen, a not very nice and therefore the overweight kid with giant glasses (really Mr. Crane?) is looking forward to getting him in trouble. But Jack's adventure winds up giving him a bit of a hand in dealing with this situation.
The school-related framing is on one hand clever and adds much needed, er, grounding to the story, and on the other hand a little disturbing and facile for my taste. The only overweight nerdy kid in the classroom is also the kid who tries to get Jack in trouble. "Mrs. Poe" is portrayed as a headless body -- the picture always cuts off at her shoulders -- and so we are left to extrapolate from her posture that she is an old woman with, well, tiny sagging breasts. I don't appreciate this use of incomplex tropes, the overweight bespectacled bully and objectified and reviled saggy-breasted crone ready to bludgeon late students with phone books. And I don't see how they add to the story or enrich the lives of the readers in any way. One of the goodreads reviewers compared this to Roald Dahl and I disagree. I think Roald Dahl's stories are much more narratively and emotionally rich and complex.
All-in-all a little adventure for Jack and his cat and a nice rain cloud. The adventure is not terribly satisfying though visually appealing. And the framing gives it a little more of a sense of narrative fullness.
Framing = Jack is late to horrible school and almost gets in trouble. Apparently the teacher Mrs. Poe has threatened to "bludgeon" him "with a phonebook" if he's late again. (Wow. That's serious.) And when he tries to slip into the classroom unseen, a not very nice and therefore the overweight kid with giant glasses (really Mr. Crane?) is looking forward to getting him in trouble. But Jack's adventure winds up giving him a bit of a hand in dealing with this situation.
The school-related framing is on one hand clever and adds much needed, er, grounding to the story, and on the other hand a little disturbing and facile for my taste. The only overweight nerdy kid in the classroom is also the kid who tries to get Jack in trouble. "Mrs. Poe" is portrayed as a headless body -- the picture always cuts off at her shoulders -- and so we are left to extrapolate from her posture that she is an old woman with, well, tiny sagging breasts. I don't appreciate this use of incomplex tropes, the overweight bespectacled bully and objectified and reviled saggy-breasted crone ready to bludgeon late students with phone books. And I don't see how they add to the story or enrich the lives of the readers in any way. One of the goodreads reviewers compared this to Roald Dahl and I disagree. I think Roald Dahl's stories are much more narratively and emotionally rich and complex.
January 18, 2014
I love this book so much. The story is completely engaging and the illustrations are just darling. This is a must read in my book. I have promised myself that I will buy a copy if I ever pass it on the shelves.
July 2, 2020
Just thoroughly lovely (made even lovelier by the fact that I, for some reason, read all of it in the voices of Greg and Fred the horse from „Over the Garden Wall“ and it made 100% sense).
April 16, 2012
I don’t remember where I first came across this book, but something about the description intrigued me. A young boy and his cat that skip school one day and climb a staircase to have adventures in the cloud…something about that just sounded magical and it went on my list of books to read at some point. I now wish that I had read it sooner, because it’s quickly become one of my favorite books that I’ve read this year with its fantastic illustrations and the absolutely charming story.
Simon and his rather fat cat Jack are running a bit late for school one day. His teacher, Missus Poe, has threatened to clobber him with a phone book if he shows up late again, so he and Jack try to sneak in…but they’re spotted! They quickly escape before getting clobbered and make their way to the roof where they encounter a magical staircase that takes them to the clouds. There they encounter a sad cloud named Perch, some nasty storm clouds, and a flock of birds that could use some lessons in manners (and perhaps some glasses since they keep calling Jack a dog.) Simon and Jack are off on a wild adventure like no other and before the day is done they help make a sad cloud happy, escape evil clouds, have a grand adventure and make it back to school…where perhaps Missus Poe might learn a thing or two.
To me this is just the perfect blend of whimsy and slightly dark humor to a storyline that makes it just right for all ages. The style reminds me a lot of the “Wayside School” series that I remember reading growing up and of the classic comic strip Calvin & Hobbes with that sense of daydreaming and wonder that we all have (well most of us have) growing up. That’s what this story captures so well, those moments when we’re bored and don’t want to have to do or obey the rules of reality, but instead have a chance to let our imaginations run wild and free. Who wouldn’t want to try to cheer up a sad cloud or take a staircase into the unknown? Crane’s story is perfect for the young and old and everyone in between. And if you don’t get at least one chuckle out of it you might need to get your pulse checked by your doctor.
I think my favorite thing about the layout of this book is that there is only one illustration per page, which just helps sell the story a bit more to me. Instead of trying to cram multiple panels on one page the reader gets to focus on the details and colors of just one panel. And what panels they are. Crane’s artstyle to me is reminiscent of older style comics and illustrated books, such as Where the Wild Things Are. The design of the characters with their simplistic, yet expressive faces are easy to capture the readers attention. The color palette chosen to me is reminiscent of something from the 60’s/70’s with the slightly faded neutral colors. Overall excellent.
Like I mentioned above this book has quickly become one of my favorite books of the year. Everything just works absolutely perfectly and that sense of wonder, that sense of exploration is something that we can all relate to and bring hope to an otherwise boring day. I’d highly recommend this little book to everyone and it should have a spot on your bookshelf.
Simon and his rather fat cat Jack are running a bit late for school one day. His teacher, Missus Poe, has threatened to clobber him with a phone book if he shows up late again, so he and Jack try to sneak in…but they’re spotted! They quickly escape before getting clobbered and make their way to the roof where they encounter a magical staircase that takes them to the clouds. There they encounter a sad cloud named Perch, some nasty storm clouds, and a flock of birds that could use some lessons in manners (and perhaps some glasses since they keep calling Jack a dog.) Simon and Jack are off on a wild adventure like no other and before the day is done they help make a sad cloud happy, escape evil clouds, have a grand adventure and make it back to school…where perhaps Missus Poe might learn a thing or two.
To me this is just the perfect blend of whimsy and slightly dark humor to a storyline that makes it just right for all ages. The style reminds me a lot of the “Wayside School” series that I remember reading growing up and of the classic comic strip Calvin & Hobbes with that sense of daydreaming and wonder that we all have (well most of us have) growing up. That’s what this story captures so well, those moments when we’re bored and don’t want to have to do or obey the rules of reality, but instead have a chance to let our imaginations run wild and free. Who wouldn’t want to try to cheer up a sad cloud or take a staircase into the unknown? Crane’s story is perfect for the young and old and everyone in between. And if you don’t get at least one chuckle out of it you might need to get your pulse checked by your doctor.
I think my favorite thing about the layout of this book is that there is only one illustration per page, which just helps sell the story a bit more to me. Instead of trying to cram multiple panels on one page the reader gets to focus on the details and colors of just one panel. And what panels they are. Crane’s artstyle to me is reminiscent of older style comics and illustrated books, such as Where the Wild Things Are. The design of the characters with their simplistic, yet expressive faces are easy to capture the readers attention. The color palette chosen to me is reminiscent of something from the 60’s/70’s with the slightly faded neutral colors. Overall excellent.
Like I mentioned above this book has quickly become one of my favorite books of the year. Everything just works absolutely perfectly and that sense of wonder, that sense of exploration is something that we can all relate to and bring hope to an otherwise boring day. I’d highly recommend this little book to everyone and it should have a spot on your bookshelf.
February 2, 2013
For our graphic novel study, I chose to read The Clouds Above by Jordan Crane. This book was published in 2005. The book is appealing from the beginning because it is rather small. It reminded me of a board book in its size. Additionally, the outside of the book is pink with fluffy clouds. I found the book interesting because I have seen many graphic novels before that are black or gray and have many more action or comic like figures on the front. This book cover was a refreshing change of pace!
The Clouds Above tells the story of a little boy and his cat who are late to school. They are afraid to go in and be late, so they go on adventure. They find these tall winding stairs that lead into the sky! Eventually, they climb so high that they meet a cloud man who is the origin of the rain and wind! The cloud man takes them on a ride above the town, into a storm, and eventually they are spit out of the cloud and fall to the ground in a rainstorm.
The language in this book is unique because there is no narrator. Everything in the story is all written in dialogue form. Because of this, there are many elements of slang and abbreviations. The reader who picked up this book would have to be able to recognize these elements and make sense of them on his or her own, because there are not many context clues given in the story. The book does not have a lot of text, and relies heavily upon the picture in the story.
I would recommend this for students grades 3 and up, because the book requires the reader to understand slang, know how to use images and text together to create a comprehensive understanding, and a good foundation of sequencing.
The Clouds Above tells the story of a little boy and his cat who are late to school. They are afraid to go in and be late, so they go on adventure. They find these tall winding stairs that lead into the sky! Eventually, they climb so high that they meet a cloud man who is the origin of the rain and wind! The cloud man takes them on a ride above the town, into a storm, and eventually they are spit out of the cloud and fall to the ground in a rainstorm.
The language in this book is unique because there is no narrator. Everything in the story is all written in dialogue form. Because of this, there are many elements of slang and abbreviations. The reader who picked up this book would have to be able to recognize these elements and make sense of them on his or her own, because there are not many context clues given in the story. The book does not have a lot of text, and relies heavily upon the picture in the story.
I would recommend this for students grades 3 and up, because the book requires the reader to understand slang, know how to use images and text together to create a comprehensive understanding, and a good foundation of sequencing.
January 18, 2019
The Clouds Above borrows a seed from the famous story popularised by Joseph Jacobs, Jack and the Beanstalk. But it quickly branches into a fresh and exciting adventure that doesn’t resemble the English fairy-tale. Simon and his talking cat, Jack, discover an ascending staircase on the roof of Simon’s school that takes them to the skies. There they come upon a tearful cloud named Perch and teach him to fly. Together, the three embark on a mission to find the migrating birds, but they’re hampered by a raging storm. These dangerous cumulonimbus clouds are nothing like pink and fuzzy Perch; our trio must work as a team to weather them, if Simon is ever to return to school.
It’s a much shorter graphic novel than I had thought it would be, because there’s only one large square panel per page. But it remains a very entertaining story throughout, expertly drawn and strikingly coloured. The book’s tone is humorous and silly in a way that even adults might like, but it’s consistently accessible to the young reader. If my ancient brain can recognise that it’s an immensely cute and fun comic, no doubt kids will love it even more... But they will also see an inappropriately sexist imagining of Simon’s school teacher, and that has cost the book the last star.
It’s a much shorter graphic novel than I had thought it would be, because there’s only one large square panel per page. But it remains a very entertaining story throughout, expertly drawn and strikingly coloured. The book’s tone is humorous and silly in a way that even adults might like, but it’s consistently accessible to the young reader. If my ancient brain can recognise that it’s an immensely cute and fun comic, no doubt kids will love it even more... But they will also see an inappropriately sexist imagining of Simon’s school teacher, and that has cost the book the last star.
May 24, 2016
I love poutine. For those who don't know, poutine is a Canadian dish consisting of French fries and cheese curds smothered in gravy. It's three awesome things that are combined into something even better. Jordan Crane's "The Clouds Above" is comics poutine. Combing elements of a picture book, an experimental stream-of-consciousness comic, and poetry, the book is a wholly unique - and delicious - read.
By far the most striking part of "The Clouds Above" is the gorgeous artwork. Crane devotes a single page to each panel, letting each image command the reader's full attention, and the muted colors are expertly applied. His renderings of a spiral staircase ascending into the sky above is worth the price of admission alone, so to speak. The plot of the book wanders a bit but it works perfectly in the sense that it amps up the dream-like atmosphere established by the art. The characters, a young boy and his absurdly long-tailed cat, are likable and just mischievous enough to be interesting. "The Clouds Above" really nails every element.
Simply put, "The Clouds Above" is a near-perfect all-ages comic; joyful, a little menacing, and beautifully drawn. It's a book that can be enjoyed by kids and their parents equally. Also, it bears repeating, poutine is the BEST!
By far the most striking part of "The Clouds Above" is the gorgeous artwork. Crane devotes a single page to each panel, letting each image command the reader's full attention, and the muted colors are expertly applied. His renderings of a spiral staircase ascending into the sky above is worth the price of admission alone, so to speak. The plot of the book wanders a bit but it works perfectly in the sense that it amps up the dream-like atmosphere established by the art. The characters, a young boy and his absurdly long-tailed cat, are likable and just mischievous enough to be interesting. "The Clouds Above" really nails every element.
Simply put, "The Clouds Above" is a near-perfect all-ages comic; joyful, a little menacing, and beautifully drawn. It's a book that can be enjoyed by kids and their parents equally. Also, it bears repeating, poutine is the BEST!
May 16, 2008
Totally beautiful and funny and clever. I picked this up at a show of Jordan Crane's work at Fantagraphics, Seattle. If you live in Seattle, and like graphic novel/ alternative comics, you should duck into this place.
December 3, 2010
Ughhhh i just luved this book when i first got it at the library!! I read it over 15 times! It was a graphic novel so i finished that 15 times in 2 days! I just was looking at graphic novels and thought of this!
June 7, 2016
Reread this early work in preparation for my interview with Jordan: http://comicsalternative.com/comics-a.... I appreciate this story a lot more than I did the first time I read it.
December 14, 2022
Після знайомства з автором через його мальопис Keeping Two - яскравий, глибокий, філософський, сміливо взяла іншу книжку, яка на Гудрідз була навіть вище за популярністю. Та замість проникливої історії і цікавих графічних рішень, на які я розраховувала, спираючись на попердній досвід, мене чекало розчарування. Це просто дитяча казка, щось на кшталт переробленої англійської народної "Джек і бобове зерно". Зовсім ніяка, і навіть химерні вигини людських тіл та дивний кіт, що виглядом трохи нагадали мені горор-скетчбук Pim and Francie: The Golden Bear Days, не виправили ситуацію. Не було ні якогось розвитку персонажів, ні гумору, ні пізнавальних фактів, ні особливих графічних здобутків, які могли би виправдати порожність всього, що відбувалося сюжетно. При всій любові до дитячої літератури, яку я читаю багато і з задоволенням, бо вважаю що хороша казка буде цікава і малому, і дорослому, це був дуже посередній мальопис.
October 28, 2017
Graphic novel about a little boy who is late to school only to find the door locked. He and his cat Jack happen upon a narrow wood staircase that appears to climb in spirals endlessly into the clouds. As they get closer, after some silly advice from some birds, it begins to rain. Technically, clouds cannot fly; they float aimlessly and this poses a problem. Enter Simon.
In the hardback version, each page is a square; the reader turns each page to progress Jack and Simon's adventure. The clouds are pink and are in the foreground and background making a bizarre landscape. This is a book about falling and climbing and flying and floating and dropping and spinning. The dialogue between a talking cat and a boy is strangely appropriate; there are plays on words, misspoken metaphors.
In the hardback version, each page is a square; the reader turns each page to progress Jack and Simon's adventure. The clouds are pink and are in the foreground and background making a bizarre landscape. This is a book about falling and climbing and flying and floating and dropping and spinning. The dialogue between a talking cat and a boy is strangely appropriate; there are plays on words, misspoken metaphors.
February 5, 2022
A cute story I probably would have liked more if I was reading it to a kid. Nice art and colors, but a curious layout: single panel per page surrounded by about an inch and a half of white space on all sides. There are a handful of pages taken up in full by the art — maybe moments intended to either fully submerge the reader into the world or break free of the confines of a panel — but for the most part it’s just one panel, one page. Not sure why, exactly.
No real moral or plot are presented, but, again, think a kid would get a kick out of the imagination and sense of adventure.
No real moral or plot are presented, but, again, think a kid would get a kick out of the imagination and sense of adventure.
June 17, 2019
Enjoyable story shared with me by KateKintail today. Simon and his cat Jack are trying to get to class and not get in trouble for being late. The path takes is unusual to say the least. Perch is the most interesting character I have encountered in a long time. Fun stuff.
October 28, 2021
This was strange and awkward, but the graphics were cute. The whole time I was just like: “what? Whaaat? WHAAAAAAAAAAT?” What else do you expect about a book you never read the back of, that’s small and got talking cats, birds, and clouds? Not this, I don’t think.
September 7, 2017
Simple and short and strange.
October 10, 2017
It is a precious book with great illustrations.
August 19, 2020
The ending was funny
April 28, 2021
Short and sweet. Not the most literary comic in the world, but so so charming.
March 5, 2022
What a pointless and boring little graphic novel.
October 30, 2022
Being late for school is problematic with most teachers, unless you get to go on a wild adventure with your cat.
December 10, 2022
This book is bonkers.
April 12, 2023
6.4
Ciekawy wizualnie, energiczny i kolorowy, z ciętym językiem i nieoczywistym żartem. Vibe komiksu dla dzieci, ale jednak nie do końca.
Ciekawy wizualnie, energiczny i kolorowy, z ciętym językiem i nieoczywistym żartem. Vibe komiksu dla dzieci, ale jednak nie do końca.
August 12, 2023
Explorers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews