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Rainbow Grey #1
Rainbow Grey
A magical new series from best-selling author and illustrator, Laura Ellen Anderson!
Ten-year-old Ray Grey lives in the magical Weatherlands, high in the sky! Ray is surrounded by Weatherlings with astounding weather power at their fingertips . . . but she doesn't have ANY magic!
Then, after a trip to Earth, Ray’s life changes forever. She is transformed from Ray Grey intro RAINBOW GREY! With the help of her best friends (and exploding cloud cat, Nim) now all Ray has to do is master her powers AND save the world from a mysterious, powerful enemy...
Ten-year-old Ray Grey lives in the magical Weatherlands, high in the sky! Ray is surrounded by Weatherlings with astounding weather power at their fingertips . . . but she doesn't have ANY magic!
Then, after a trip to Earth, Ray’s life changes forever. She is transformed from Ray Grey intro RAINBOW GREY! With the help of her best friends (and exploding cloud cat, Nim) now all Ray has to do is master her powers AND save the world from a mysterious, powerful enemy...
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2021
37 people are currently reading
1122 people want to read
About the author
Laura Ellen Anderson
91 books180 followersLaura Ellen Anderson is the illustrator of several books for children, as well as the author-illustrator of the graphic novel Evil Emperor Penguin. Laura Ellen Anderson lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
March 28, 2021
If you're looking for a comfort read, or a world that will envelop you in a hug that is much-needed after the year we've all had, then look no further than 'Rainbow Grey' by Laura Ellen Anderson. Check out my SPOILER FREE reading vlog: https://youtu.be/8bUxn-q0mAI
Ray Grey lives in the city of Celestia, a kingdom in the sky where she is surrounded by weatherlings with weather magic. Ray has no magic of her own but vows to be an Earth Explorer like her hero, La Blaze DeLight. When she takes a forbidden journey to Earth, she finds herself transformed into Rainbow Grey, possessing rainbow magic that has been missing from the world for centuries.
There are many highlights of this book, including the characters. Ray Grey is such a joy to follow as she is bold, courageous and someone I think a lot of kids will look up to (just like Amelia in the Amelia Fang series). Her friendship with Snowden and Droplett is so uplifting, I had so much fun watching how they interact with one another and what they do in situations that are out of their comfort zone. Their powers are also really cool! (Also, the cameo of Gusty Gavin is just the greatest thing to ever happen in literature, ever!)
The main thing I love about this book is the world. There's just something so magical about it as it's a book that goes beyond my own imagination. I could not have conjured some of this up myself and fortunately we have gorgeous illustrations to help us visualise this whimsical world. There's a richness to it with stories and history that helps guide the characters in the present, and I have a feeling we are going to continue to learn so much about this world (like how Nocturnia and beyond is so richly imagined in the Amelia Fang series too).
The plot helps to quicken the pace of this book too, as the story reaches an exciting crescendo in the third act. While I could sense something coming, I did not expect something that followed from that, and then the final ending was just mind-blowing too. It promises great things in the future for this series and I cannot wait to be part of this journey. Bring on Rainbow Grey 2!
Now to wrap up this review with some clever weather puns because this book is also filled with humor that had me laughing. I mean, this entire book was a BREEZE to get through, with a TWIST and a turn here and there, so in conclusion, this series debut is not to be MIST. (bows)
Ray Grey lives in the city of Celestia, a kingdom in the sky where she is surrounded by weatherlings with weather magic. Ray has no magic of her own but vows to be an Earth Explorer like her hero, La Blaze DeLight. When she takes a forbidden journey to Earth, she finds herself transformed into Rainbow Grey, possessing rainbow magic that has been missing from the world for centuries.
There are many highlights of this book, including the characters. Ray Grey is such a joy to follow as she is bold, courageous and someone I think a lot of kids will look up to (just like Amelia in the Amelia Fang series). Her friendship with Snowden and Droplett is so uplifting, I had so much fun watching how they interact with one another and what they do in situations that are out of their comfort zone. Their powers are also really cool! (Also, the cameo of Gusty Gavin is just the greatest thing to ever happen in literature, ever!)
The main thing I love about this book is the world. There's just something so magical about it as it's a book that goes beyond my own imagination. I could not have conjured some of this up myself and fortunately we have gorgeous illustrations to help us visualise this whimsical world. There's a richness to it with stories and history that helps guide the characters in the present, and I have a feeling we are going to continue to learn so much about this world (like how Nocturnia and beyond is so richly imagined in the Amelia Fang series too).
The plot helps to quicken the pace of this book too, as the story reaches an exciting crescendo in the third act. While I could sense something coming, I did not expect something that followed from that, and then the final ending was just mind-blowing too. It promises great things in the future for this series and I cannot wait to be part of this journey. Bring on Rainbow Grey 2!
Now to wrap up this review with some clever weather puns because this book is also filled with humor that had me laughing. I mean, this entire book was a BREEZE to get through, with a TWIST and a turn here and there, so in conclusion, this series debut is not to be MIST. (bows)
July 1, 2021
7.14 on CAWPILE
April 2, 2023
I received an advance reader copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
Rainbow Grey is the first book in a magical and fun adventure series for children. I can't comment on the illustrations as I listened to the audio version but the narration was lovely to listen to and very bingeable too.
Although the story is pretty similar to most with it being about a girl who visits earth who is without powers, and then gets powers and is more powerful than any of her friends. But the magic was unique in its own way - cloud magic, rain magic, sun magic and snow magic. I loved the cloud cat in this who does excited farts lol. There's good vs evil and a whole new magical universe to explore and I'll definitely be giving this to my daughter to listen to next.
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
Rainbow Grey is the first book in a magical and fun adventure series for children. I can't comment on the illustrations as I listened to the audio version but the narration was lovely to listen to and very bingeable too.
Although the story is pretty similar to most with it being about a girl who visits earth who is without powers, and then gets powers and is more powerful than any of her friends. But the magic was unique in its own way - cloud magic, rain magic, sun magic and snow magic. I loved the cloud cat in this who does excited farts lol. There's good vs evil and a whole new magical universe to explore and I'll definitely be giving this to my daughter to listen to next.
November 7, 2021
My kid loved it. I thought the illustrations were great, but the story and the writing were pretty meh. Another story about a special girl who gets to be suddenly more powerful than anyone else and save the world with her bravery and her friends. Standard but good.
Mostly the hook here is the sky world, full of excellent details like cloud cats and weather magic.
And again, my kid LOVED it.
Mostly the hook here is the sky world, full of excellent details like cloud cats and weather magic.
And again, my kid LOVED it.
September 6, 2023
4.5 stars
Such an adorable little story!
I recommend reading the physical copy or ebook or at least with the audio in the background.
The book is full of illustrations and amazing ones, roo!
Ray Grey is the only one of the Weatherlings who doesn't have any power to control.
Her best friends can control snow and rain, but they're all very great together.
One day, she finds an old book at the library, and that book has a map with an X. It's a map from Earth and along with her cloud friend, Nim, she goes to Earth to see what the treasure is.
The discovery she makes changes her life forever.
The story was really predictable, but it was creative, and the characters were sweet.
I especially loved Ray's parents. Her mum is an engineer having all sorts of tools in her hair so she can reach them faster.
The story is action-packed mostly, full of active moments, discoveries and intensity.
I felt amazing reading and listening to the book at the same time.
Looking forward to the next two books in this trilogy.
Such an adorable little story!
I recommend reading the physical copy or ebook or at least with the audio in the background.
The book is full of illustrations and amazing ones, roo!
Ray Grey is the only one of the Weatherlings who doesn't have any power to control.
Her best friends can control snow and rain, but they're all very great together.
One day, she finds an old book at the library, and that book has a map with an X. It's a map from Earth and along with her cloud friend, Nim, she goes to Earth to see what the treasure is.
The discovery she makes changes her life forever.
The story was really predictable, but it was creative, and the characters were sweet.
I especially loved Ray's parents. Her mum is an engineer having all sorts of tools in her hair so she can reach them faster.
The story is action-packed mostly, full of active moments, discoveries and intensity.
I felt amazing reading and listening to the book at the same time.
Looking forward to the next two books in this trilogy.
August 11, 2021
Once upon a time there were seven groups of Weatherlings. Then a Rogue created the worst storm Earth has ever seen, Storm Tornadia, and since that time rainbow Weatherlings have been extinct.
Ray is a Weatherling but she doesn’t have any weather magic. She does have a cloud-cat called Nim who changes shape and explodes without warning. She also has two best friends, know almost everything Snowden Everfreeze, whose think-flakes are all sorts of quirky, and homework averse orphan Droplett Dewbells, who can teleport between puddles.
You might think Ray would be envious of her classmates, who all have weather magic. She’s not, though, and I think I know the reason. While the rest of her class practice their weather magic, Ray gets to go to the library to read.
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Tonight is special because Ray, a ten year old, will be witnessing her first ever eclipse, an event that only takes place once every eleven years.
My favourite character was Ray’s cloud-cat. Nim may not get any lines but they’re definitely the comic relief. His eyes aren’t always where you expect them to be and he’s not the most reliable form of transport in Celestia but I absolutely adored this defective cloud-companion.
It was super obvious who this book’s villain was going to be and the resolution was a bit too sweet, but … adult reading a kid’s book here. I probably would have been blindsided by the reveal had I actually read this when I was the target audience.
While this story wraps up quite nicely, there is a sneaky set up in the epilogue for the next book in the series. Yes, you bet I’ll be reading it and yes, I’m passing this one along to my mother because I think she’ll love it too. Especially when she learns of the existence of duck-nados!
‘I thought rainbows were just made up?’All that remain are Weatherlings of “Sun, snow, rain, cloud, wind, thunder ‘n’ lightning.”
Ray is a Weatherling but she doesn’t have any weather magic. She does have a cloud-cat called Nim who changes shape and explodes without warning. She also has two best friends, know almost everything Snowden Everfreeze, whose think-flakes are all sorts of quirky, and homework averse orphan Droplett Dewbells, who can teleport between puddles.
You might think Ray would be envious of her classmates, who all have weather magic. She’s not, though, and I think I know the reason. While the rest of her class practice their weather magic, Ray gets to go to the library to read.
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Tonight is special because Ray, a ten year old, will be witnessing her first ever eclipse, an event that only takes place once every eleven years.
‘These beauuuuutiful twinkly specks called STARS fill the whole sky. Then you’ll see the great Moon King with his large plate of big round cheese. He dances around, using the big cheese wheel to cover up the old Sunflower while the Sunkeepers prepare a new one to glow for the next eleven years.’The world building in this book was so imaginative. From the silver lining that Ray’s mother fixes on their home (Cloud Nine) to the different types of magic on display and the yummy treats at the local bakery (make sure you eat the rumblebun in time), there’s so much to look at and enjoy.
My favourite character was Ray’s cloud-cat. Nim may not get any lines but they’re definitely the comic relief. His eyes aren’t always where you expect them to be and he’s not the most reliable form of transport in Celestia but I absolutely adored this defective cloud-companion.
It was super obvious who this book’s villain was going to be and the resolution was a bit too sweet, but … adult reading a kid’s book here. I probably would have been blindsided by the reveal had I actually read this when I was the target audience.
While this story wraps up quite nicely, there is a sneaky set up in the epilogue for the next book in the series. Yes, you bet I’ll be reading it and yes, I’m passing this one along to my mother because I think she’ll love it too. Especially when she learns of the existence of duck-nados!
‘Let’s follow that rainbow!’Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
July 2, 2021
A magical weather story featuring tons of adventure and wonderful characters.
I was very very sad when Amelia Fang ended, but oh so excited when I heard that Laura Ellen Anderson was going to write a new series featuring weather, rainbows, and more!
Meet Ray Grey, yep, that is her normal name before her rainbow powers. She is a normal girl, well, very normal given that, unlike her friends, she doesn’t have any Weatherling power. She doesn’t mind though, instead spends time in the library when the others are honing their powers. I really liked Ray, she is a sweet and dedicated girl who is very motivated and doesn’t give up. I absolutely LOVED that she got rainbow powers and see her harness them, try to figure them out, try to make things work. I loved that she set her own path, and liked that we saw Earth through her eyes.
And I loved that she went from Ray Grey with grey hair to Rainbow Grey with awesome rainbow hair (which I definitely wanted).
I loved that the weather on Earth is controlled by Weatherlings in the sky. And that there are rogues who make bad storms and make bad things happen. Then again, that knicker-nado was just hilarious haha. I loved seeing how each Weatherling had their own thing, from Sunkeepers keeping the Sunflower in the sky in the right condition, to Droplett who is a Rain Weatherling and amazing with making puddles and teleporting using that. I loved finding out about the Rainbow Weatherlings/what happened to them/see what powers they have. I would have definitely liked some more school and some lessons. We only got on, and it just felt like it could have been more.
I loved Ray’s parents. Her father who spends most of his time on Earth as he has to protect it against the rogue weatherlings. Her mom who works with clouds and silver lining (yes, really).
Bonuspoints go to Nim the cutest and most explosive cloudcat in existence. I just loved that little fluff cloud and I had some laughs seeing his face on places you may not want your face to be (though I guess for a cat it is all perfect).
More bonuspoints to the bakery and the baked goods. ARGH, I want to try some now!
The whole, what do humans use this one for? I got a bit tired of that. I mean, I found the trope silly in Ariel when I was a kid, and I see it pop up at other times in other books and I just don’t like it. I mean, I can understand mermaids not being able to check what items are used for, but these are humans, in a way, just float around and check (because you are invisible while you are in the air) instead of being dumb and hang flipflops on your ear or eat the egg shells instead of what is inside. At one point Ray just put up a shower cap because she thought it was a hat????? Girl???
I just couldn’t take Snowden’s name serious. I am sorry, if I was a kid I would probably not even know, but as someone 18+ that name just was a distraction. I kept thinking of that other Snowden. XD
The ending was amazing, full of rainbows, saving the forest, magic, and also a nice epilogue which made me want to grab the next book, only realising it isn’t out yet! ARGH! No!
The illustrations were again top quality and I love them so much. Love the character designs, and everything else as well. I do feel sad it was all black/white, it would have been so cool if there was at least a rainbow here or there. 😉
All in all, I will finish this review though I still got many feels, this was a magical book with magical characters and tons and tons of fun!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was very very sad when Amelia Fang ended, but oh so excited when I heard that Laura Ellen Anderson was going to write a new series featuring weather, rainbows, and more!
Meet Ray Grey, yep, that is her normal name before her rainbow powers. She is a normal girl, well, very normal given that, unlike her friends, she doesn’t have any Weatherling power. She doesn’t mind though, instead spends time in the library when the others are honing their powers. I really liked Ray, she is a sweet and dedicated girl who is very motivated and doesn’t give up. I absolutely LOVED that she got rainbow powers and see her harness them, try to figure them out, try to make things work. I loved that she set her own path, and liked that we saw Earth through her eyes.
And I loved that she went from Ray Grey with grey hair to Rainbow Grey with awesome rainbow hair (which I definitely wanted).
I loved that the weather on Earth is controlled by Weatherlings in the sky. And that there are rogues who make bad storms and make bad things happen. Then again, that knicker-nado was just hilarious haha. I loved seeing how each Weatherling had their own thing, from Sunkeepers keeping the Sunflower in the sky in the right condition, to Droplett who is a Rain Weatherling and amazing with making puddles and teleporting using that. I loved finding out about the Rainbow Weatherlings/what happened to them/see what powers they have. I would have definitely liked some more school and some lessons. We only got on, and it just felt like it could have been more.
I loved Ray’s parents. Her father who spends most of his time on Earth as he has to protect it against the rogue weatherlings. Her mom who works with clouds and silver lining (yes, really).
Bonuspoints go to Nim the cutest and most explosive cloudcat in existence. I just loved that little fluff cloud and I had some laughs seeing his face on places you may not want your face to be (though I guess for a cat it is all perfect).
More bonuspoints to the bakery and the baked goods. ARGH, I want to try some now!
The whole, what do humans use this one for? I got a bit tired of that. I mean, I found the trope silly in Ariel when I was a kid, and I see it pop up at other times in other books and I just don’t like it. I mean, I can understand mermaids not being able to check what items are used for, but these are humans, in a way, just float around and check (because you are invisible while you are in the air) instead of being dumb and hang flipflops on your ear or eat the egg shells instead of what is inside. At one point Ray just put up a shower cap because she thought it was a hat????? Girl???
I just couldn’t take Snowden’s name serious. I am sorry, if I was a kid I would probably not even know, but as someone 18+ that name just was a distraction. I kept thinking of that other Snowden. XD
The ending was amazing, full of rainbows, saving the forest, magic, and also a nice epilogue which made me want to grab the next book, only realising it isn’t out yet! ARGH! No!
The illustrations were again top quality and I love them so much. Love the character designs, and everything else as well. I do feel sad it was all black/white, it would have been so cool if there was at least a rainbow here or there. 😉
All in all, I will finish this review though I still got many feels, this was a magical book with magical characters and tons and tons of fun!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
December 26, 2025
Rainbow Grey is a very very good book. It's a nice simple read with nice illustrations. It's about a girl called Ray who lives in a magical whether land. Everyone around her has a magic power whether it's cloud magic, snow magic, rain magic or sun magic except for her. Ray (along with her friends and exposing cloud cat) take a trip to earth and discover a secret lost in time. When I began reading its seemed a bit childish but after a few pages I became engrossed. I would recommend this book to all ages.
August 20, 2021
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
This is a vividly imaginative fantasy adventure that was a delight to read… so much so, that it felt like a guilty pleasure! I am really excited to see that this is the start of a series and I have really enjoyed sharing this story with my children.
This is a vividly imaginative fantasy adventure that was a delight to read… so much so, that it felt like a guilty pleasure! I am really excited to see that this is the start of a series and I have really enjoyed sharing this story with my children.
June 13, 2022
The premise of this book is very stanard, to be fair. A normal girl in a magical world without any powers suddenly becomes more powerful than everyone else and together with her friends she has to fight evil to save the world.
Nonetheless, I really enjoyed reading this fun little story and I think my younger self would have loved Rainbow Grey and her friends as well. This whole book felt so pleasant and gave me really comfortable vibes. It’s also very bingeable.
I loved the illustrations! They gave the story the certain something that made it for me an even better experience.
Nonetheless, I really enjoyed reading this fun little story and I think my younger self would have loved Rainbow Grey and her friends as well. This whole book felt so pleasant and gave me really comfortable vibes. It’s also very bingeable.
I loved the illustrations! They gave the story the certain something that made it for me an even better experience.
November 8, 2021
That was fun! Loved the illustrations and the characters. Can't wait to have more adventures with the gang.
Believathon IV: Escape from the Jungle. 1. Card 10. Read a book released in 2021
A Game of Tomes: the Readathon || Origin Story: 2. The Twins. Read a book that has 2 words in the title.
Believathon IV: Escape from the Jungle. 1. Card 10. Read a book released in 2021
A Game of Tomes: the Readathon || Origin Story: 2. The Twins. Read a book that has 2 words in the title.
September 13, 2021
Sweet and cute.
A comforting read that is so essential that it is touching.
It's a wonderful escape.
The audiobook is just great, impeccably narrated.
A comforting read that is so essential that it is touching.
It's a wonderful escape.
The audiobook is just great, impeccably narrated.
October 10, 2021
Such an imaginative, colourful and original book! Beautiful illustrations too! Such a great adventure!
Read
June 6, 2024This was SO cute!
June 2, 2024
A fun, wholesome, light-hearted middle grade novel!
This book is bursting with magic and whimsy! For such a short story, it is filled with plenty of world-building and character development. The plot is set at a whiplash pace but it works for the story and it's targeted younger readers. There were a lot of jokes/humour aimed at a much younger audience which made me bring this down a star, but I know kids will get an absolute kick out if it as it is perfectly tailored to them.
Ray is a wonderful inspiration for all characters, her sense of hope and determination are just as bright as her colourful hair! The way she tackles problems with resolve and kindness is a positive message to instil in younger readers.
The author packs this book full of joy, there are plenty of positive underlying messages throughout. She is also, no doubt, one of my top ten favourite illustrators! Her art is so enchanting and quirky.
An utter delight from start to finish!
This book is bursting with magic and whimsy! For such a short story, it is filled with plenty of world-building and character development. The plot is set at a whiplash pace but it works for the story and it's targeted younger readers. There were a lot of jokes/humour aimed at a much younger audience which made me bring this down a star, but I know kids will get an absolute kick out if it as it is perfectly tailored to them.
Ray is a wonderful inspiration for all characters, her sense of hope and determination are just as bright as her colourful hair! The way she tackles problems with resolve and kindness is a positive message to instil in younger readers.
The author packs this book full of joy, there are plenty of positive underlying messages throughout. She is also, no doubt, one of my top ten favourite illustrators! Her art is so enchanting and quirky.
An utter delight from start to finish!
June 6, 2021
This was just what I needed on a Sunday night a warm hug in a book is the best way I can describe it. On a girl who is finding her way and a cloud cat called nim who explodes. The illustrations and story work hand in hand and I cannot wait to read more in this series. A rainbow filled extravaganza that no one will want to miss.
September 5, 2021
Absolutely fabulous 🌈
May 23, 2022
Tak toto bola tak krásna a milá knižka! Úžasné ilustrácie, skvelý nápad s mágiou počasia. Joj, už sa neviem dočkať, keď neter podrastie, aby sme to mohli čítať spolu!
March 19, 2023
Really loved reading this book - such an original idea! I can't wait to read the second one.
October 31, 2025
Read this a second time, but this time with my six year old. she gave it 5 stars!
July 26, 2021
Okay so I picked this one up because of Gavin at How to train your Gavin over on booktube. He said it was good and that he was in it. Since he is the king of Middle Grade I listened and got the book. Read the book. Fell in love with the book.
This was about a girl named Ray Grey who does not have any weather magic in a world where everyone has magic. One day she finds a map to treasure and some bullies tell her she isn't brave enough to go to the treasure because its on Earth. Needless to say she goes gets said treasure comes back and ends up getting rainbow hair. As well as rainbow magic. She has to find out how to work her magic all while trying to stop rogue weather magic users from trying to destroy earth.
This was about a girl named Ray Grey who does not have any weather magic in a world where everyone has magic. One day she finds a map to treasure and some bullies tell her she isn't brave enough to go to the treasure because its on Earth. Needless to say she goes gets said treasure comes back and ends up getting rainbow hair. As well as rainbow magic. She has to find out how to work her magic all while trying to stop rogue weather magic users from trying to destroy earth.
June 27, 2021
What a delightful book! I really enjoyed this one from start to finish. I loved the magical world of weather and the characters were so lovely! The adventures were fun and fast paced and I was super excited to see what happened next. I’m glad this is a series as I’m looking forward to the next one coming out. The underlying message of hope and the power of friendship in this one was wonderful.
January 14, 2023
A cute and quick listen. I loved the idea of the world, but it was missing substance. I would have loved to see more of the world and the different abilities. Instead I got repetitive jokes and usage of words (How many times can you use „bottom“ in a book???).
Nice read for young readers, but the target of 8yr olds (set by the German publisher) seems a bit high.
Nice read for young readers, but the target of 8yr olds (set by the German publisher) seems a bit high.
February 4, 2023
A lovely book.
Definitely Mary Sue territory, but given it's age demographic, that is perfectly acceptable!
I liked Ray.
I liked her friends.
I liked that it was not about romance at all. Not even a hint.
I liked that it showed people were redeemable, even when they make mistakes.
Definitely Mary Sue territory, but given it's age demographic, that is perfectly acceptable!
I liked Ray.
I liked her friends.
I liked that it was not about romance at all. Not even a hint.
I liked that it showed people were redeemable, even when they make mistakes.
May 31, 2021
This was such a cute and fun read.
June 5, 2021
This was cute, for a first book in a new series the world building was awesome. Also the cover is beautiful !
March 16, 2023
Amazing book with a wonderful storyline.
Great for little kids learning readers or even the whole family
Great for little kids learning readers or even the whole family
January 31, 2024
Wonderfully descriptive writing. My 7 year old loves it
March 30, 2024
This was a lot of fun! Love the weatherling concept, landscapes and weather creatures.
I liked Nim the cloud-cat who is almost always with Ray Grey.
I liked Nim the cloud-cat who is almost always with Ray Grey.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews