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In the Clouds
A luminous journey into the sky for daydreamers and cloud enthusiasts big and small, from renowned paper-diorama artist Elly MacKay.
A bored and curious little girl wishes for a bit of sunshine on a cloudy day. But a friendly bird soon whisks her off for an adventure in the sky, where she can contemplate questions both scientific and philosophical in nature: how do clouds float? Or carry the rain? Where do they go when they disappear? Are there clouds on other planets? Do they have memories? Have they ever seen a girl like her?
This dreamy picture book from the inimitable Elly MacKay features her trademark stunning, light-infused spreads that beautifully capture the wondrousness of clouds and the power of nature to inspire and stimulate imaginations.
A bored and curious little girl wishes for a bit of sunshine on a cloudy day. But a friendly bird soon whisks her off for an adventure in the sky, where she can contemplate questions both scientific and philosophical in nature: how do clouds float? Or carry the rain? Where do they go when they disappear? Are there clouds on other planets? Do they have memories? Have they ever seen a girl like her?
This dreamy picture book from the inimitable Elly MacKay features her trademark stunning, light-infused spreads that beautifully capture the wondrousness of clouds and the power of nature to inspire and stimulate imaginations.
44 pages, Hardcover
First published April 19, 2022
1 person is currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Elly MacKay
29 books100 followersI’m Elly MacKay, a.k.a Theater Clouds. I live in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada with my husband Simon and little ones, Lily and Koen. I live a short drive from where I grew up – in an old church in Big Bay. I am an artist, making scenes using paper, light and photography. I refer to it as paper theater, lightbox illustrations or illuminated papercraft… It has been several years, but I am still working on a name for this technique.
I went to the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and the University of Canterbury for illustration, printmaking and electronic art. However, it wasn’t until the birth of my daughter Lily, that I began working in this way.
Well, sort of…
I used to spend a great deal of time as a kid making dioramas and tunnel books. As a teen, I sold them at 1st Hand Gallery in Toronto. I stopped making them when I went off to art school to explore other interests. After graduating I was enjoying working at a gallery but the birth of my daughter sparked something in me. I wanted to create things in the way that I had in my youth. I wanted to make things for the simple pleasure of making… to create my own little worlds and explore childhood again through my daughter’s eyes. I told my husband about my wish and he made me a beautiful little theater to work in. These illuminated paper scenes are a return to working with layers of paper like the dioramas and tunnel books I had made as a kid, but with the addition of lighting and photography. I set up layers of drawings on a small scale in my very tiny stage. They are wonderfully fun to create. You can take a look at my process page, to see how I make them.
I use this technique to create photographic prints and illustrations for children’s books. At times I have worked on a larger scale, creating installations. In the future I hope to do some animation as well. Simon recently made an animation table so hopefully I will be able to show you my simple stop-motion animations. I take inspiration from several sources:
My work often plays with the themes of childhood, and the ephemeral. I look to my own childhood, and to my experience as a mother.
I have a fascination with Victorian curiosities, and set design. I love anything that involves a trick of the eye – zoetropes, paper theaters, tunnel books, pop-ups, etc. As a teen, I took a trip to meet members of The Movable Book Society with my Mom, Joan Irvine. She is a paper-engineer and author. The trip was an education in papercraft.
I am also always looking to the land and weather here on Georgian Bay for inspiration.
ETSY:
https://www.etsy.com/people/theatercl...
https://www.etsy.com/shop/theaterclouds
I went to the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and the University of Canterbury for illustration, printmaking and electronic art. However, it wasn’t until the birth of my daughter Lily, that I began working in this way.
Well, sort of…
I used to spend a great deal of time as a kid making dioramas and tunnel books. As a teen, I sold them at 1st Hand Gallery in Toronto. I stopped making them when I went off to art school to explore other interests. After graduating I was enjoying working at a gallery but the birth of my daughter sparked something in me. I wanted to create things in the way that I had in my youth. I wanted to make things for the simple pleasure of making… to create my own little worlds and explore childhood again through my daughter’s eyes. I told my husband about my wish and he made me a beautiful little theater to work in. These illuminated paper scenes are a return to working with layers of paper like the dioramas and tunnel books I had made as a kid, but with the addition of lighting and photography. I set up layers of drawings on a small scale in my very tiny stage. They are wonderfully fun to create. You can take a look at my process page, to see how I make them.
I use this technique to create photographic prints and illustrations for children’s books. At times I have worked on a larger scale, creating installations. In the future I hope to do some animation as well. Simon recently made an animation table so hopefully I will be able to show you my simple stop-motion animations. I take inspiration from several sources:
My work often plays with the themes of childhood, and the ephemeral. I look to my own childhood, and to my experience as a mother.
I have a fascination with Victorian curiosities, and set design. I love anything that involves a trick of the eye – zoetropes, paper theaters, tunnel books, pop-ups, etc. As a teen, I took a trip to meet members of The Movable Book Society with my Mom, Joan Irvine. She is a paper-engineer and author. The trip was an education in papercraft.
I am also always looking to the land and weather here on Georgian Bay for inspiration.
ETSY:
https://www.etsy.com/people/theatercl...
https://www.etsy.com/shop/theaterclouds
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
May 26, 2023
A cute imaginative take on a child flying on a bird to be amoungst the clouds. We learn about different kinds of cloud and the precipitation they release; all while enjoying the beautiful, simple artwork of illustrator and writer Elly McKay.
Canadian, McKay, does a great job of creating a book without too many words for a great bedtime story length. It’s soft pastel like colours are soothing and even when it gets a bit dark, in the stork we are comforted. An excellent purchase for any child; while it stars a little girl, I see no reason why that should matter and find this appropriate for all genders, religions, races, and backgrounds.
The best page might be at the end of the story. Kids have written in questions about clouds and McKay answers them in very simple, yet scientific, terms. Additionally if you (or your child) want to learn more about clouds McKay includes a short bibliography to get you started.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Canadian, McKay, does a great job of creating a book without too many words for a great bedtime story length. It’s soft pastel like colours are soothing and even when it gets a bit dark, in the stork we are comforted. An excellent purchase for any child; while it stars a little girl, I see no reason why that should matter and find this appropriate for all genders, religions, races, and backgrounds.
The best page might be at the end of the story. Kids have written in questions about clouds and McKay answers them in very simple, yet scientific, terms. Additionally if you (or your child) want to learn more about clouds McKay includes a short bibliography to get you started.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
November 23, 2021
This is essentially a book of questions, highlighted by charming illustrations of a little girl as she imagines being taken through and beyond the clouds by a bird.
The pictures are absolutely lovely, with luminous backgrounds and paper-and-ink characters that seem to transcend the scene as well as be part of it. I don't think I've encountered Elly MacKay's work before, but it's intriguing and pleasant to look at; I'd love to see some of her other books.
While I was reading, I was a bit concerned that the book was going to be all questions and no answers. But there is a cute little page at the end in which many of the questions are answered. There's also an informative graphic that shows the various types of clouds.
Highly recommended for the illustrations alone. But also check this one out for the imagination aspect as well as the info about clouds.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra Books (NY) for providing a digital ARC.
The pictures are absolutely lovely, with luminous backgrounds and paper-and-ink characters that seem to transcend the scene as well as be part of it. I don't think I've encountered Elly MacKay's work before, but it's intriguing and pleasant to look at; I'd love to see some of her other books.
While I was reading, I was a bit concerned that the book was going to be all questions and no answers. But there is a cute little page at the end in which many of the questions are answered. There's also an informative graphic that shows the various types of clouds.
Highly recommended for the illustrations alone. But also check this one out for the imagination aspect as well as the info about clouds.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra Books (NY) for providing a digital ARC.
February 3, 2022
This is a book 8-year-old me would have loved so so much! 42-year-old me loves it as much too. Well, Elly MacKay's illustrations are gorgeous as ever, and the simplicity of the narrative is very true of a child's curious nature.
The back matter answers some of the questions posed in the story, in a way that young kids can understand.
I am fascinated by the sky and the clouds specifically and I am so glad this book exists!
Thanks to Netgalley and Tundra/Penguin Random House for the advanced reader copy.
The back matter answers some of the questions posed in the story, in a way that young kids can understand.
I am fascinated by the sky and the clouds specifically and I am so glad this book exists!
Thanks to Netgalley and Tundra/Penguin Random House for the advanced reader copy.
December 31, 2021
Another lovely picture book for children!
It’s cloudy. A little girl is bored, stuck inside and looking out the window. Then a bird lands on the frane and takes her up high above the clouds on a fantastic journey.
The illustrations are photographs of ink and paper dioramas and they were stunning, this type of art made me want to pick up other books by this Canadian author and illustrator and I definitely will in the future!
Also, I really liked that at the end there are the answers to the questions the little girl was asking the bird, such as: can birds fly above the clouds? or how do clouds float?
And I did learn things I did not know. Did you know bacteria could live on clouds? I did not!
And let’s not forget the classification of clouds, of course! I don’t think I’ll remember all the names but now I know my favorites are the cumulonimbus and the altocumulus!
It’s cloudy. A little girl is bored, stuck inside and looking out the window. Then a bird lands on the frane and takes her up high above the clouds on a fantastic journey.
The illustrations are photographs of ink and paper dioramas and they were stunning, this type of art made me want to pick up other books by this Canadian author and illustrator and I definitely will in the future!
Also, I really liked that at the end there are the answers to the questions the little girl was asking the bird, such as: can birds fly above the clouds? or how do clouds float?
And I did learn things I did not know. Did you know bacteria could live on clouds? I did not!
And let’s not forget the classification of clouds, of course! I don’t think I’ll remember all the names but now I know my favorites are the cumulonimbus and the altocumulus!
May 14, 2022
A bored little girl sits gazing out her window, talking to a bird on the ledge about how clouds ruin everything (not sure why she feels that way, but I chalk it up to the bored-grumpies). She starts to daydream, and soon she is riding on the bird's back (because one can do that in a daydream), pondering the clouds as they fly through, above, and below them, wondering such things as do clouds remember the dinosaurs? When she returns from her daydream, her feelings have changed, and she decides clouds are wondrous after all!
The story is dreamy and sweet, and the illustrations are, as always, beautiful and filled with a sense of magic. The story is followed by some interesting cloud facts - the average cumulus cloud weighs as much as 100 elephants! - and an illustration showing different types of clouds with their names. Very sweet!
#NetGalley
The story is dreamy and sweet, and the illustrations are, as always, beautiful and filled with a sense of magic. The story is followed by some interesting cloud facts - the average cumulus cloud weighs as much as 100 elephants! - and an illustration showing different types of clouds with their names. Very sweet!
#NetGalley
November 3, 2022
Gorgeous art, but this will have to find an audience beyond fatuous librarians, teachers and other grownups. It will be a pretty limited one because the lovely thoughtful text won't appeal to most of the picture book set.
August 6, 2022
In this pensive story, an inquisitive, imaginative girl monologues to a little bird as it carries her through the clouds on its back. A bit like "Open House for Butterflies," but more ethereal and elegant, it explores thoughts and questions that you may have had yourself, and introduces beautiful new thoughts to think and queries to ponder. From simple to profound, the ideas in this lovely book are sure to encourage pondering and study of the natural world in children and adults alike, especially those who tend to possess a reflective nature.
July 15, 2021
In the Clouds by Elly Mackay is a wonderfully illustrated children's book about, you guessed it, clouds! I know my almost 3 years old daughter would love this one as she loves looking at clouds. And I know that when she's older, she'll start asking the kind of questions the little girl in the book asks as well. Really enjoyed the last page where we learn more about clouds and where some questions are answered.
Thank you NetGalley for the free ebook copy in exchange of a honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for the free ebook copy in exchange of a honest review.
February 13, 2022
I was a serious daydreamer when I was young [actually, I still am!] and it often got me in trouble. I am also pretty sure that my Mom would have loved it if I had asked the birds all the questions I had rather than her, but that's a whole 'nother topic! LOL
The first thing you will notice about this lovely picture book is just how gorgeously it is illustrated. The colors and pictures just blew me away - the author really draws it so it feels like you are right there with the little girl and the bird, among the clouds! Then there is the story - who hasn't been bored on a rainy day and wished to fly above the clouds, especially on the back of a wonderful little bird and who hasn't wondered about clouds and just what they were about [my sister and I, when we were little, loved to pretend that we could both sleep on clouds, and when we were in the car, make food from them - playing pretend is so much fun!]. Even I, as an adult, learned things about clouds [there is a lovely little fact sheet at the end] that I didn't know!!
Children will love this book, both for the fun story, the idea that daydreaming is a good and wonderful things and for the the captivating illustrations. I wish I had littles so I could buy this and read it over and over with them.
Thank you to NetGalley, Elly MacKay, and Penguin Random House Canada/Tundra Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The first thing you will notice about this lovely picture book is just how gorgeously it is illustrated. The colors and pictures just blew me away - the author really draws it so it feels like you are right there with the little girl and the bird, among the clouds! Then there is the story - who hasn't been bored on a rainy day and wished to fly above the clouds, especially on the back of a wonderful little bird and who hasn't wondered about clouds and just what they were about [my sister and I, when we were little, loved to pretend that we could both sleep on clouds, and when we were in the car, make food from them - playing pretend is so much fun!]. Even I, as an adult, learned things about clouds [there is a lovely little fact sheet at the end] that I didn't know!!
Children will love this book, both for the fun story, the idea that daydreaming is a good and wonderful things and for the the captivating illustrations. I wish I had littles so I could buy this and read it over and over with them.
Thank you to NetGalley, Elly MacKay, and Penguin Random House Canada/Tundra Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2022
In the Clouds is a book about a curious little girl who wants to know more about the world around her. Perfect for a teacher introducing inquiry and question formulation, or families of inquisitive children always asking why, this book models questions and the idea that questions lead to more questions. Additionally, this book lends well to a study of clouds or weather, from terminology like cumulus as well as questions (and answers) about how clouds form, I could see this book being an introduction to science units across the grade levels. The story ends with a few pages of information about the questions in the book as well as about weather and clouds, but I also feel this type of book would spark curiosity in students and encourage them to go beyond these questions and answers to create their own questions and search for the answers through the inquiry process. While this book is probably best fit for grades 1-4 I could see using this with older and younger students as weather is part of many middle years science curriculums and preschool children love to ask why to everything around them!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book! I look forward to purchasing a copy for my grade 3 classroom library!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book! I look forward to purchasing a copy for my grade 3 classroom library!
February 2, 2022
"In the Clouds” is an ode to a child’s imagination and curiosity.
A little girl is stuck indoors on a rainy day, with the help of a beautiful bird, she takes the readers along with her on a journey to learn all about the wondrous clouds.
Filled with questions, the text encourages young readers to think.
“Why does something so huge feel like nothing at all?”
“How do clouds carry the rain?”
“Do you think clouds have memories?”
The pages are filled with interesting facts and ethereal drawings. The illustrations, also done by the author, are soft and dreamlike. I enjoyed the expressions on the young girl's face as she took in the beauty of nature.
At the end of the book, there are answers and more interesting facts about clouds.
“In the Clouds” is a beautiful read that celebrates the dreamer in every child.
(Thank you to @netgalley for an EARC in exchange for an honest review)
Elly MacKayIn the Clouds
A little girl is stuck indoors on a rainy day, with the help of a beautiful bird, she takes the readers along with her on a journey to learn all about the wondrous clouds.
Filled with questions, the text encourages young readers to think.
“Why does something so huge feel like nothing at all?”
“How do clouds carry the rain?”
“Do you think clouds have memories?”
The pages are filled with interesting facts and ethereal drawings. The illustrations, also done by the author, are soft and dreamlike. I enjoyed the expressions on the young girl's face as she took in the beauty of nature.
At the end of the book, there are answers and more interesting facts about clouds.
“In the Clouds” is a beautiful read that celebrates the dreamer in every child.
(Thank you to @netgalley for an EARC in exchange for an honest review)
Elly MacKayIn the Clouds
March 8, 2022
In the Clouds by Elly Mackay is a beautiful children's book for anyone who enjoys daydreaming. The illustrations blew me away and transported me literally onto the page. I felt so immersed in this world and felt like I was being swept away by the clouds just like the little girl in the story.
It was imaginative and mesmerizing, and II enjoyed the friendship between the little girl and the bird. The relationships we can have with nature and animals are a beautiful and rewarding gift and In the Clouds captures that.
I appreciate the questions asked throughout the story, which gets young readers thinking and has a wonderful introduction to science and the questions starting with, "how? "why?" "when?" "what?" It was fantastic that the story included the answers to many of the questions asked within the book.
My students would love this story, and I cannot wait to have this book as part of my classroom! I would definitely recommend this book for all children, especially the kindergarten-4th grade age range.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
It was imaginative and mesmerizing, and II enjoyed the friendship between the little girl and the bird. The relationships we can have with nature and animals are a beautiful and rewarding gift and In the Clouds captures that.
I appreciate the questions asked throughout the story, which gets young readers thinking and has a wonderful introduction to science and the questions starting with, "how? "why?" "when?" "what?" It was fantastic that the story included the answers to many of the questions asked within the book.
My students would love this story, and I cannot wait to have this book as part of my classroom! I would definitely recommend this book for all children, especially the kindergarten-4th grade age range.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2022
A refreshing story to make you stop and daydream, In the Clouds by Elly MacKay is an ethereal picture book, perfect for the summer season.
A little girl is stuck indoors on a rainy day when a lovely little feathered friend comes to visit. They take off on a daydream up above the clouds pondering some great questions about the clouds.
Elly MacKay’s stories always have a daydream quality to them. Her diorama illustrations lend all her stories this ethereal quality. In the Clouds is a story for those long summer days. Get out a picnic and lie back and examine the clouds. It’s a perfect time to ponder the world's great mysteries. Outdoors or indoors, the story provides for pause and meditation. If you are looking for a story to spark creativity, engage in a conversation or just for when it’s too hot to be outside and everyone just needs a break, In The Clouds is perfect.
It’s a lovely shorter story making it wonderful for preschoolers and early learners. She also includes some excellent non-fiction back matter all about clouds for those older readers who are very curious about the daytime sky.
A little girl is stuck indoors on a rainy day when a lovely little feathered friend comes to visit. They take off on a daydream up above the clouds pondering some great questions about the clouds.
Elly MacKay’s stories always have a daydream quality to them. Her diorama illustrations lend all her stories this ethereal quality. In the Clouds is a story for those long summer days. Get out a picnic and lie back and examine the clouds. It’s a perfect time to ponder the world's great mysteries. Outdoors or indoors, the story provides for pause and meditation. If you are looking for a story to spark creativity, engage in a conversation or just for when it’s too hot to be outside and everyone just needs a break, In The Clouds is perfect.
It’s a lovely shorter story making it wonderful for preschoolers and early learners. She also includes some excellent non-fiction back matter all about clouds for those older readers who are very curious about the daytime sky.
April 14, 2022
Get swept away in a daydream in this tale about imagination. With gorgeous illustrations, Mackay's book will suck you in and make you feel like you are exploring the world around you with the main character.
A story about embracing inquisitive minds and nurturing curiosity, this book is perfect for families and classrooms. It is about a young girl who asks the birds questions about the world and the weather. She is curious about the clouds, where they come from and how they are made. Her questions range from scientific to existential and capture the questioning mind of a child.
Additionally, this book would be the perfect fit for educational settings. Use it for a unit on clouds or weather. It includes terminology like cumulus as well as questions and answers about how clouds form. At the end there are pages of information about the questions in the book as well as about weather and clouds.
Perfect for science loving kids and adults.
A story about embracing inquisitive minds and nurturing curiosity, this book is perfect for families and classrooms. It is about a young girl who asks the birds questions about the world and the weather. She is curious about the clouds, where they come from and how they are made. Her questions range from scientific to existential and capture the questioning mind of a child.
Additionally, this book would be the perfect fit for educational settings. Use it for a unit on clouds or weather. It includes terminology like cumulus as well as questions and answers about how clouds form. At the end there are pages of information about the questions in the book as well as about weather and clouds.
Perfect for science loving kids and adults.
September 7, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for this review.
First and foremost In the Clouds is a visually stunning book! It is honestly some of the most beautiful illustration work I have seen in a long time. I'd frame every page and hang it up on my walls as art!
The story isn't so much a connected storyline, as in there isn't really a plot, but rather a stream of conscious type writing full of questions asked by a young girl and a boring cloudy day. Some may find this to be a problem, and I agree, it might not make for a satisfactory bedtime story, but as an educator I see a treasure trove of options here. SO many questions we can explore and find answers to, every early elementary science teacher would likely squeal in delight! It's a must have on my classroom bookshelf, and would be a great option for any homeschooler as well.
First and foremost In the Clouds is a visually stunning book! It is honestly some of the most beautiful illustration work I have seen in a long time. I'd frame every page and hang it up on my walls as art!
The story isn't so much a connected storyline, as in there isn't really a plot, but rather a stream of conscious type writing full of questions asked by a young girl and a boring cloudy day. Some may find this to be a problem, and I agree, it might not make for a satisfactory bedtime story, but as an educator I see a treasure trove of options here. SO many questions we can explore and find answers to, every early elementary science teacher would likely squeal in delight! It's a must have on my classroom bookshelf, and would be a great option for any homeschooler as well.
October 22, 2021
I loved this book so so much. As an adult, I learned a lot. Fascinating beautiful wonderful facts about clouds. And the art in this book, the beautiful depictions of clouds that look almost real. Real and fantasy at the same time. There is so much about this book to love and I think that kids who are just slightly older and have a little bit more of an attention span would find this book so fascinating. I wish so badly that I had known about this book when I was a Pre-K teacher. I think they would love to learn what is in this book and help it see clouds, which in my experience kids already love, in a new and exciting way. I would give this book more than five stars if I could.
Thank you #netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to see this beautiful book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you #netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to see this beautiful book in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2022
In the Clouds is a beautiful book with paper-cut illustrations that glow with light, movement, and, of course, all types of clouds. On a rainy day, a bored little girl asks a bird to take her on a ride to see if the sun shines above the clouds. As they fly, she asks dozens of questions about clouds, such as "How do clouds carry the rain" and are clouds and earth connected - and are we connected, too? She sees shapes in the clouds, and she wonders about many scientific phenomena . At one point, she passes through thunder and lightning and almost falls off. An adept navigator, the bird lands her safely at home, where they share a treat. The final two pages feature her questions and brief answers as well as illustrations of the main cloud types. This is a quiet, lovely book that will be popular with daydreamers, nature lovers, and those who enjoy awe-inspiring panoramas.
April 9, 2022
I received a copy of In the Clouds by Elly MacKay from Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.
A young girl is looking out the window as a storm approaches when she also begins to ask her questions and wonders to a bird sitting outside her table. As she does, her questions and curiousity takes her out on an adventure as she wonders about the storm, the clouds, the earth, and how everything may be connected through time and space. This is a charming and reflective picture book that shows how curiosity and imagination can inspire such wonderful daydreams. As always, Elly Mackay astounds with her paper and ink art pieces.
A young girl is looking out the window as a storm approaches when she also begins to ask her questions and wonders to a bird sitting outside her table. As she does, her questions and curiousity takes her out on an adventure as she wonders about the storm, the clouds, the earth, and how everything may be connected through time and space. This is a charming and reflective picture book that shows how curiosity and imagination can inspire such wonderful daydreams. As always, Elly Mackay astounds with her paper and ink art pieces.
July 20, 2023
On a cloudy day a girl is taken into the clouds by a friendly bird at her window. As they journey into the sky the girl peppers the bird with questions about clouds, life, and whatever else comes to her mind. The back of the book has real answers to the cloud questions that have answers, and a cloud chart with the cloud types.
This veers a little more into the stream of consciousness genre than I usually think kids like. It feels realistic for a curious child, but all the philosophical questions and such doesn't make for a great story. The illustrations are stunning though, and I like the real cloud information, so I'll give it 3 stars.
This veers a little more into the stream of consciousness genre than I usually think kids like. It feels realistic for a curious child, but all the philosophical questions and such doesn't make for a great story. The illustrations are stunning though, and I like the real cloud information, so I'll give it 3 stars.
September 16, 2021
A dreary cloudy day and a wonderous little girl make friends with a bird and go on an adventure through the skies.
This book has extracted the inquisitive mind of children bringing philosophical questions to life providing some great opportunities for conversation between the child and the reader. As a previous Early Childhood Educator and wannabe Children’s Librarian I would definitely be happy to have this book in my hand. If the topic itself doesn’t engage the children the delightful illustrations will.
This book has extracted the inquisitive mind of children bringing philosophical questions to life providing some great opportunities for conversation between the child and the reader. As a previous Early Childhood Educator and wannabe Children’s Librarian I would definitely be happy to have this book in my hand. If the topic itself doesn’t engage the children the delightful illustrations will.
May 30, 2022
Cute. MacKay’s use of color makes for some vibrant and beautiful page spreads. Sometimes the artwork for the little girl and the bird feels soft and has a weird contrast to the sharper edges and smoother look of the backgrounds (like the cloud islands page). A bit thin. I think it could work as a lead in to a craft or writing activity but there isn’t a lot of story and the artwork doesn’t entirely support that lack in the way it works in books like Waiting by Henkes or Harris Burdick by Allsburg.
Nice to have some Q&A about clouds in the back and sources.
Nice to have some Q&A about clouds in the back and sources.
June 1, 2022
"Do you think clouds have memories? Can they remember the dinosaurs?"
A young girl is dismayed by the prospect of clouds, but thrusts herself into an imagination of new heights. On the back of her bird-friend, they soar above the clouds, across islands, and through a thunder storm. Perhaps a rainy day isn't so bad, after all!
With beautiful illustrations that mimic the text, MacKay does a fantastic job of creating a sort of other-worldly wonder through the various cloud shapes and colors they offer. A stunning book, perfect for the child with an imagination that runs wild.
A young girl is dismayed by the prospect of clouds, but thrusts herself into an imagination of new heights. On the back of her bird-friend, they soar above the clouds, across islands, and through a thunder storm. Perhaps a rainy day isn't so bad, after all!
With beautiful illustrations that mimic the text, MacKay does a fantastic job of creating a sort of other-worldly wonder through the various cloud shapes and colors they offer. A stunning book, perfect for the child with an imagination that runs wild.
May 19, 2023
Feeling blasé on a cloudy day, a little girl is bored no more when she lets her imagination take her on a whimsical flight of fancy to explore the boundless skies, pose ponderous questions about clouds, and wonder about her wondrous world. Gorgeous illustrations encourage readers and listeners to do the same. Endnotes include information about clouds, their classifications, and a list of sources for further reading. Favorite cloud: all of them, for as Milton said, “every cloud has a silver lining.”
September 4, 2021
In The Clouds by Elle MacKay
Take a trip into the sky with this little girl. Bored and stuck inside on a cloudy day she daydreams an adventure to the clouds with a bird friend.
This is a magical story of curiosity and imagination! The pages are dreamy and gorgeous. My girls loved it and immediately went to look out at the clouds.
Thanks @penguinrandomhouse @tundrabooks and @netgalley for our advanced copy. You have to wait a while for this one, it’s out in March!
Take a trip into the sky with this little girl. Bored and stuck inside on a cloudy day she daydreams an adventure to the clouds with a bird friend.
This is a magical story of curiosity and imagination! The pages are dreamy and gorgeous. My girls loved it and immediately went to look out at the clouds.
Thanks @penguinrandomhouse @tundrabooks and @netgalley for our advanced copy. You have to wait a while for this one, it’s out in March!
December 14, 2021
Free Netgalley book for review. That was adorable! :-) The artwork is lovely as well. I painted clouds for what felt like a whole year for my senior art exhibition before graduating so they'll always have a soft place in my heart. This takes a more fantastical approach to clouds, but the end has some cool science-y bits as well distilled into smaller chunks for the curious reader.
Anyway this is a beautiful book well worth reading.
Anyway this is a beautiful book well worth reading.
February 5, 2023
In the Clouds is the story of a little girl who joins a bird to explore different types of clouds as well as their purpose, with beautiful, soft illustrations and some additional facts about clouds in the back.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.
September 21, 2021
A beautifully illustrated story of a girl stuck inside on a rainy day when a little bird lands on her window sill. They are soon on a flight through the clouds. This gives her a chance to contemplate and ask questions about clouds. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is perfect for small children.
October 4, 2021
This is a charmingly illustrated children’s book featuring clouds and a rainy day. It simply and beautifully explores the wonder of cloud gazing and of the scientific names of clouds.
Would make a lovely gift for the new reader who loves words and new concepts.
Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced readers copy of this book.
Would make a lovely gift for the new reader who loves words and new concepts.
Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced readers copy of this book.
April 18, 2022
This is a lovely book about a girl discovering and dreaming what is in the clouds as she flies through the sky on the back of a bird. The illustrations are really lovely, I could stare at them all day. A lovely picture book for any child wondering what is up in the clouds.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
June 5, 2022
Interesting mix of art and concept. Felt like a stream of consciousness. Could potentially be used to introduce or encourage questioning or the "I Wonder..." game. Otherwise as a story it wasn't that engaging although I did like that through questioning the child gains a different understanding, respect, and appreciation for clouds.
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