A Cloudy Tale

by Kevin Finson

A Cloudy Tale Kevin D. Finson With a thunderstorm progressing through the town, this story shows the progress from its beginning to its end. This shows each stage of a developing and passing thunderstorm with photographs that children can easily see. This knowledgeable book will help those who fear these storms to be less scared and help those become more interested in natural occurrences. About the Author Kevin D. Finson is a retired professor of science education. He taught middle school, high school, and college science, as well as science teacher education courses. Finson has co-authored several books and published numerous journal articles. He has participated in activities in professional organizations and was recognized for his lifetime contributions to the Association for Science Teacher Education in 2017. Finson enjoys writing and reading. He also likes to make small furniture and toys for his grandchildren.

25 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2020

Reviews

[Megan Buse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our kids love this book and I do as well. It visually shows the progression of cloud formations turning into a storm and then after a storm. The pictures are real-life images taken by the author and are great for showing young children and older children the differences between various clouds and what they mean. This is perfect for younger grades as a science supplement when learning about weather.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Cloudy Tale" by Dr. Kevin D. Finson is an excellent example of how children’s books can be both educational and comforting to young readers. The book discusses a child’s fear of storms and changes this fear into curiosity through the introduction of simple concepts regarding clouds and weather.

What is interesting about this book is the balance between science and storytelling. The fact that Dr. Finson is a science educator is obvious, and this is quite evident in this book. The book does not bombard young readers with scientific data; instead, it encourages them to ask questions and look at the world around them with curiosity rather than fear.

This is an interesting book for parents and anyone else who is looking to introduce young readers to science in a meaningful and comforting way.

[Elia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cloudy Tale is a thoughtful and comforting children’s book that helps change a child’s fear of storms into curiosity and questions about the science of storms. Dr. Kevin D. Finson is doing a wonderful job of blending science and story in a way that is easy for children to understand.

It’s a wonderful book for parents and teachers who wish to teach science in a gentle and encouraging way. It’s a lovely reminder of how curiosity can help us understand our world.

[Daniel Olan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a clever little book! My 6-year-old has always been nervous when storms roll through, but this book completely changed his perspective. The photographs are clear and helpful, and the simple explanations really clicked for him. Last night we had a thunderstorm and he actually ran to the window to 'watch the stages' instead of hiding. Thank you, Professor Finson!

[Donna Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gem! My grandson is fascinated by weather and this book was perfect for him. The author clearly knows his science (retired professor explains that!) but presents it simply enough for a child to grasp. We read it together during a rainy afternoon and then watched the clouds outside. Educational AND calming for storm-fearers. Will look for more from this author.

[Leo Meaningful reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a first-grade teacher and this book was a hit with my students. They were fascinated by the real photographs of clouds and storms. It sparked so many questions and discussions about weather. The text is simple enough for emerging readers to tackle on their own too. A great addition to any classroom library

[Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this for my grandson who was terrified of thunderstorms. After reading it together a few times, he's so much calmer when storms roll through. Understanding what's happening actually helps reduce his fear. The photographs are clear and the text is just right for little ones. Thank you for this gem

[Bianca Hensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a homeschool mom, I'm always looking for books that teach real science in an accessible way. This one delivers. The author's background in science education is evident in how clearly he explains storm development without overwhelming young readers. The photos are excellent quality. We'll be using this for years to come.

[Sarahthompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for curious young minds. The photographs showing actual cloud formations and storm development are the star here. The text is minimal but effective, letting the images do most of the teaching. Learned that the author is a retired science professor, and it shows! Quality educational content done right

[Julia Perrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a darling book! Informative but makes it fun with actual pictures and sweet, poetic descriptions of each cloud. Even a refresher for this 42 year old remembering back to my grade school science days! Wonderful!

[Harvey C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book to help my nephew who has anxiety about storms. It worked beautifully. Reading it together and looking at the photos gave him a sense of control and understanding. Now he's the one reassuring his little sister. Highly recommend

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for preschool and early elementary classrooms. The photographs are clear enough for group viewing, and the text sparks great conversations. My students were fascinated and asked so many thoughtful questions

[Trevor Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5-year-old was terrified of thunderstorms until we found this book. Now he understands that thunder is just noise and storms are just nature doing its thing. The photographs showing each stage really helped him visualize the process. So grateful

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a children's librarian and I'm always looking for quality nonfiction. This one is a standout. The photographs are large and clear, perfect for storytime. The text is simple but accurate. A great addition to any library or classroom

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter used to hide under the covers during storms. Now she runs to the window and tells me what stage the storm is in. This book changed everything for us. Thank you to the author for creating such a helpful resource

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter used to hide under the covers during storms. Now she runs to the window and tells me what stage the storm is in. This book changed everything for us. Thank you to the author for creating such a helpful resource

[Johnson Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does exactly what it promises. Simple text, clear photographs, and a logical flow from storm beginning to end. My preschool class was completely engaged. They asked to see it again immediately. A winner

[Moreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a book that combines real science with simple language young children can understand. The photos showing actual storm development are so helpful. My daughter went from hiding during storms to watching from the window. Worth every penny

[Melissa Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lifesaver for parents of storm-fearful kids. My 4-year-old used to shake during thunderstorms, but after reading this together, she's curious instead of scared. The real photographs make all the difference. Highly recommend!

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5-year-old now thinks he's a meteorologist thanks to this book! He carries it around and tells everyone about cumulonimbus clouds. It's amazing how understanding the science behind storms can replace fear with fascination. Highly recommend

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Cloudy Tale" is a great way to introduce kids to different cloud formations and helps them understand how and why clouds form and what they mean.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading A Cloudy Tale with my kids! The photos are beautiful, and the story helps take some of the fear out of storms. It’s educational and comforting!

[Christine Resovich]

This is a fabulous book to start youngsters to become engaged with Science. The story is well written, wonderful illustrations and easy to keep kids engaged.

A big things up!!

[betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a kindergarten teacher, I'm always looking for books that explain natural phenomena in age-appropriate ways. This one hits the mark perfectly. The photographs show real cloud formations and storm development in a way that's easy for young children to understand. My students were fascinated and kept asking to see 'the storm book' again. Highly recommend for classroom libraries

[Olam Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a children's librarian and I'm always on the lookout for nonfiction that actually works for storytime. This one does! The photographs are large and clear enough to show a group, and the text is simple enough to read aloud while kids look at the pictures. It sparked great conversations about weather and fear. The kids loved it. Will definitely be recommending this to parents of storm-fearful children.

[Amelia Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5-year-old is now the family weather expert thanks to this book! He carries it around and 'reads' the pictures to anyone who will listen. The author's background in science education really shows, he knows how to break down complex ideas for young minds without dumbing them down. The photographs showing each storm stage are worth the price alone. Will be gifting this to other parents!