Cloudette

by Tom Lichtenheld

Sometimes being small can have its advantages. If you're a little cloud like Cloudette, people call you cute nicknames, and you can always find a good spot to watch the fireworks. But what about when you want to do something big, like help a giant garden grow, or make a brook babble?

This charming book gets at the heart of what it means to make a difference no matter your size. Young children will find much to relate to in Cloudette as they follow her on her pursuit for greatness.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, Nature, Fantasy, Juvenile

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

Children's book author/illustrator writes for kids who love to laugh and grown-ups who love to laugh along with them. When not making up stories and drawing silly pictures, he likes to get other people's kids all riled-up then send them home to their parents.

Reviews

[sAmAnE · Rating 5 out of 5]

کتاب آرزوی بزرگ یک ابر کوچک
چیزی که تو مدارس خیلی باب هست از زمان‌های قدیم و حتی الان بیشتر، مسخره کردن بچه‌ها توسط همکلاسی‌هاشونه، البته قدیم‌ترا یه طرف مظلوم‌تر بود و معمولا چیزی نمیگفت و یا نهایتا به معلمش شکایت و گله میکرد و با یه معذرت‌خواهی ساده قضیه حل میشد. ولی با توجه به اینکه در زمان حال اصولا طرف مظلومی وجود نداره و دو طرف کاملا توانایی این رو دارند که از خجالت هم در بیان، نقش معلم چندان پررنگ نیست... نهایتا تنها کاری که میتونه انجام بده اینه که با خواندن این مدل کتاب‌ها، حداقل بچه‌ها رو نسبت به خاص بودن خصوصیات ظاهریشون آگاه کنه و این‌که آدم‌ها خصوصیات ظاهری متفاوتی دارند و این قانون زیبایی طبیعت هست، رو عادی‌سازی کنه، تا بچه‌ها بهش آگاه بشن....

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An utter delight! Cloudette is a "cute little cumulus" cloud -- she is sooo charming and adorable. But, she is also small. Much smaller than the other clouds. This has certain advantages (she can always find a good view for watching fireworks, and she has a special cozy place to sleep where other clouds couldn't fit) but but she also feels rather useless. She can't help make lots of rain and storms like the big clouds can. One day, an especially bad storm blows Cloudette far away from her home. But, new places and faces bring new possibilities and soon Cloudette realizes that there are many good things a determined little cloud can do.

I just loved everything about this book! The illustrations are darling, full of charm and humor, and I found myself chuckling over many of the "asides" and the things that other characters would say. This might be a bit frustrating for a read-aloud as the dialogue and asides don't "flow" with the narrative (main text) but it worked for me. The message is great, but didn't feel forced. And I appreciated how the other clouds were very supportive of Cloudette; it was nice to have a book that didn't base the character's wish for being different on bullying. Lichtenheld even includes a bit of science, too. Definitely recommended! :-)

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It probably helps that I’ve been fascinated with clouds my entire life, and especially loved them when I was young.

But this book is so sweet, and funny and whimsical. And the illustrations are so pretty and cute, and all the little funny asides add to the story. My favorite part was the scene where Cloudette got the impression the new other “clouds” had no interest in getting to know her, but I was fond of every single page.

There is also a fine message here about how being small doesn’t preclude one from making important contributions.

This is an okay book to read aloud to young children, but I’d especially recommend it for beginning readers; they will enjoy reading ALL the text portions as they view the pictures, and they will be more likely to “get” some of the amusing parts, and the inspiring parts too, and the science lesson as well.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept of a small protagonist making a mark on the big world is a children’s lit mainstay. It makes sense – there are few situations children can better relate to than being surrounded by those that are older and bigger and wanting to do something conspicuous. Tom Lichtenheld’s charming Cloudette ably enters this territory, and will likely garner fans big and small. But mostly small.

As her name suggests, Cloudette is a cloud of the most diminutive proportions. Clearly, there are perks to being small, but Cloudette reaches a point where she wants to do important things, like make rivers flow and waterfalls fall. She tries to help the fire department, garden center, and car wash, but is turned away at every stop. When a storm drops Cloudette in an unfamiliar place, she finally finds where her modest services can make a difference – a small, dried-up pond.

While third-person narration guides the narrative, dialog intermittently appears in smaller font, sometimes adding comic relief and other times filling out the story.

For a book about a cloud, these illustrations are certainly sunny. Ink, pastel, colored pencil, and watercolor are used to create bright, clean artwork. There are some two page spreads here that absolutely stand out as among Lichtenheld’s best work.

And when the story reaches its climax and our heroine finally lets the rain fall, the view shifts, requiring the reader to turn the book to the side (think Tops & Bottoms) to get the full effect – a nice touch.

It isn’t cloying, it isn’t didactic – it’s just a little book about self determination that works. In the end, Cloudette is perfectly pleasant, and that’s not a bad thing to be.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

گوگولی!
۱۴۰۴.۰۴

[Agnė · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5

Cloudette is a super cute (and casually informative!) story about a tiny cloud that finds her purpose.

I LOVE Tom Lichtenheld's colorful cartoonish illustrations and the fact that "this book is partially made of clouds" because the water for the watercolor "was collected in a bucket during a rainstorm:"





Also, I appreciate the punny jokes and all the lovely little details. For instance, the printing code on the copyright page is a countdown “in case you want to use this book as a rocket,” and the barcode on the back cover is turned into rain:

[Reyhaneh.r · Rating 3 out of 5]

『هو النور』
کتاب "Cloudette" داستانی دلنشین و بامزه درباره یک ابر کوچک است که آرزوی انجام کارهای بزرگی را در سر دارد. این داستان به زیبایی نشان می‌دهد که حتی کوچک‌ترین موجودات نیز می‌توانند تأثیرات بزرگی داشته باشند.
این کتاب نه تنها تخیل بچه‌ها را تحریک می‌کند، بلکه پیام‌های ارزشمندی درباره "پذیرش خود" و "تلاش برای رسیدن به آرزوها" را به کودکان منتقل می‌کند.

گمان می‌کنم این کتاب با تصاویری زیبا و داستانی دل‌انگیز، تجربه‌ای فراموش‌نشدنی برای بچه‌ها بشود.
_جمعه ۲۶ بهمن ۱۴۰۳

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cloudette was a cumulus cloud who usually enjoyed being just as she was: diminutive and cute. With plenty of pet names, lots of friends her own size, and the ability to fit into spaces where the larger clouds couldn't follow, there were distinct advantages to being small. But when the big clouds head out to do big, important things, from watering the crops to make the rivers flow, she found that she too wanted to do something that would make a difference...

A sweet story, one which taps into that common childhood desire to do what the "big people" are doing, and to make a mark on the world, Cloudette is the first picture-book I have read that is both written and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld, although I did enjoy Chris Barton's Shark vs. Train , which he illustrated. I appreciated many of the humorous little details here, both visual and textual - Cloudette's attempts to say hello to smoke puffs, in one scene, mistaking them for fellow clouds; the cleverly worded praise heaped on Cloudette, after her big deed - and think young readers will find her story quite engaging as well.

[Stef · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little book with big message 😊😊 Sometimes little thing can make big change, when you have effort to contribute in your environment, like the little comulus cloud doing in this book.

[Gregory Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

That's right, Cloudette, not Claudette. I grabbed this book for its originality in creating a new character. If talking hamsters make you cringe, Cloudette, the "cute little cumulus" could precipitate a thunderous objection. Still, I was captivated by Cloudette and her sunny disposition.


Cloudette is tiny. Sometimes that has its advantages, but Cloudette longs to do something big and important. The other bigger clouds create storm fronts, thunderstorms and enough snow to shut down school for a day. (Important, indeed!)

Cloudette faces rejection on her quest to make a difference. The car wash is automated and the plants at the nursery need LOTS of water. Cloudette doesn't matter.

It takes a fierce storm with strong winds to blow Cloudette to a new environment where she finally finds the perfect opportunity.

This is a clever twist on the "different is special" story formula. I read it to a grade one class to see if the students could take to a cloud as a main character and they empathized and cheered for Cloudette in a snap. There is an undercurrent of science appeal in the book as well as kids see the value of rain and become casually introduced to terms like cold front, cumulus and precipitation. Still, the story is what stands out.

The illustrations are often splashed with sky blue backgrounds (naturally). Lichtenheld also has a fondness for yellow, helping to brighten each page. The art figures don't pop, but that helps the viewer focus more on the expressive facial reactions given to Cloudette.

Cloudette would make a good rainy day read.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the time, the diminutive Cloudette likes being small since her bigger cloud friends address with cute names and her size makes it possible for her to do things that the others cannot. But sometimes she wishes that she could do something big, like the others. When a blustery storm blows her to an unfamiliar area, Cloudette makes new friends and starts a little rainstorm of her own, creating a pond from a little puddle so that the frogs have water in which to play. I'm not quite sure why she couldn't--or wouldn't--join forces with the bigger clouds earlier in the book, and I'm sure young readers will easily get the message that even the smallest among us can make a big difference. The ink, pastel, colored pencil, and watercolor illustrations suit the story quite well and highlight Cloudette's personality.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun little story about a cloud. It shows how everyone can make a difference, no matter how big or small you are. The story has fun illustrations and has a smidgen of science, too. We enjoyed reading this story together.

September 2019 update: Read this book aloud with a first-grade class and talked a bit about the rain cycle and the puns in the story. The children really enjoyed the story and I enjoyed the interaction.

I loved the note posted about the illustrations: "The illustrations are rendered in ink, pastel, colored pencil, and watercolor. The water part of the watercolor was collected in a bucket during a rainstorm, so this book is partially made of clouds. Thank you, clouds." (p. 2 -unapaged)

[Stacia Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, along with the super cute illustrations. Such a unique character...a little cloud.

[Negar · Rating 1 out of 5]

چنین بد چرایی؟

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cloudette is the smallest of clouds. Usually it was just fine to be the littlest. She was called by cute nicknames, she had little friends, she was great at hiding, and she even slept in a special spot on the moon. But sometimes, she felt left out because she was so small. She couldn’t do the important work that the big clouds did, like storm fronts and rainbows. She wanted to do something big herself, but all of her big ideas didn’t work out. One day, she was blown by a storm to a new area where she had never been before. There she found a lone frog sitting in a dried up pond. Cloudette knew she could help, but only if she tried very, very hard. By helping in one place, she realized that there was a lot one small cloud could do in the world.

Lichtenheld’s text is a pleasure to read aloud. He has included all sorts of aside comments from the clouds, Cloudette herself, and animals too. They give the book more flavor and a stronger tone. The small making a large impact and doing something big is an idea that is featured in a lot of children’s books. Children relate to being the smallest, being envious of what bigger people can do, and feeling powerless themselves. Cloudette is certain to speak directly to the fact that small contributions can add up to something big.

The artwork here is bright, simple and entertaining. While some pages have a paneled look, many of them are single or double-page spreads. Lichtenheld nicely contrasts background colors to create a book that is colorful and that will work well with a group.

Cloudette will have you cheering for her and is sure to easily create small fans. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story of what one person (or in this case, cloud) can do to make just a tiny part of the world a better place. Cloudette is a very small cloud. The other bigger clouds like her and call her endearing names. There are advantages to being small, but Cloudette doesn't feel that she can do anything important. One day she is blown away from her home and ends up in a different place where she has no friends. Fortunately, she is able to make new friends and even prove to herself and to some other lucky creatures, that in her own little way she can do important things, too. An excellent book, cleverly illustrated. Fun for adults to read, too, as some of the dialog ("What a cute little cumulus!" and "Prodigious precipitation, pipsqueak!") is well above the level of many children's books. It's also a book that will grow with the children as they begin to understand these new words.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cloudette. Cloudette is a little bitty soft white cloud. A friendly little cumulus cream puff whose name, as I say, is Cloudette. I could say that all day: isn't it satisfying when you come upon something that is that just-right and self-evident? "Yes," you think. "Of course her name is Cloudette."

Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/201...

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tend to over-react against "message" books, but this one is so dang cute I just had to come around to it. My favorite part is actually at the beginning, with the list of good things about being small. Squeezing through giraffes and hiding between skyscrapers: simply adorable. The illustrations are what lifted this up for me; I have no idea how Lichtenheld makes Cloudette so expressive with so few strokes of his pen!

[Becki · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a little cutie Cloudette is.

Cloudette happens to be a cumulus cloud whose only aspiration is to become a great thundering cumulonimbus cloud. Unfortunately her size will never permit it. But that won't stop her from trying to reach her potential in this funny and heartwarming tale that shows you don't have to be a big rock to make a splash. Or in this case even the smallest of clouds can still make it rain.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sort of love this book lots, I don't think it would make a super awesome read aloud, but it is very cute and fun story about what a little cloud can do when they put their minds to it!

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another with the "little guys can make a big difference" theme and this was an especially sweet one. This also has big time science
tie-in/ non-fiction pairing potential.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the spirit of The Little Engine That Could but with a cute cloud!

[Haylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, colorful, detailed illustrations. Adorable main character, plus you learn a little about science.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone can make a difference.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2018/comm...

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully cute and sweet. An absolute delight.

[Pan · Rating 4 out of 5]

خیلییی بامزه!⭐️

[Bridget Cabbiness · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Cloudette” by Tom Lichtenheld is a picture book intended for children of the primary age group, ranging from ages five to eight. Cloudette is the smallest cloud in her area, surrounded by much larger ones that can make thunderstorms, water crops and other “important cloud things.” She doesn't mind being the smallest cloud, but wishes she could do some of the things the bigger clouds can. I gave this book four stars because I really enjoyed the story, illustrations and the main theme that just because you’re little doesn't mean you can’t do big things. The plot was clever, telling Cloudette’s journey to find a way to help out in some way. Not only was the story good, but I really like how the author writes little words next to clouds mouth like they’re talking, and the things they’re saying are actually facts about clouds. Younger readers are learning about the different things clouds do that contribute to the environment, while making it seem like the clouds are talking to each other. Although most of the illustrations are of the sky and clouds, they are done creatively with friendly warm faces, which is perfect for younger readers. This book would definitely be appealing to younger readers with the books combination of simple, but friendly drawings and the story of a tiny cloud learning she can do big things like everyone else. In the classroom I would try and incorporate this into a science lesson about clouds. They probably seem so simple to younger children, that they will be amazed to find out all the things that they really do for the environment. Overall this is a great book for younger readers and can easily be made into a lesson plan.

[Kinsey Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cloudette, a book by Tom Lichtenheld, follows a little baby cloud named Cloudette through her struggle to find a purpose. While most clouds provide rain for a garden, shade on a hot day or even help make rainbows, Cloudette was too small to be useful. During a storm she was blown far from her neighborhood causing her to look at things different and take her out of her comfort zone. This book teaches that being different isn’t a bad thing and that if you have the courage to persevere that you can make a positive impact.
I would highly recommend this book. Think of what your own childhood was like. Being young there are so many things kids struggle with including looking different. This story is one that I would highly recommend everyone read, even adults. This book holds an important lesson that everyone needs to hear and that is accepting yourself for who you are and learning that with perseverance even the smallest little cloud can do big things. This book would be great build a lesson around, particularly one that deals with acceptance.
This book is a great read for everyone! At any age you can get something from this book! Teachers could also use this book for projects such as art pieces or a project that made the kids observe their lives and relate it back to the book.

[Audrey Ibarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cloudette
“Sometimes being small can have its advantages. If you’re a little cloud like Cloudette, people call you cute nicknames, and you can always find a good spot to watch fireworks. But what about when you want to do something big, like help a giant garden grow, or make a brook babble? This charming book gets at the heart of what it means to make a difference no matter what size. Etc...”

I rated this book with 5 stars. I chose this book because it was one that I picked up and read in class one day and I really enjoyed the message of the story. I like how Cloudette finally found where she belonged in the end. I also liked how they used rain drops in the illustrations of this book to make it connected to clouds.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cloudette is smaller than the rest of the clouds and doesn't feel like she can help like they do...until given the opportunity, then her confidence blossoms. Lichtenheld's illustrations are great in their simplicity.