“Within the 32 pages of this splendid picture book, young readers are treated to a celebration of clouds. Children have vivid imaginations and Eric does a spectacular job of capturing the past-time of cloud gazing.” Lisa_J

Truly, this author is one of my favorite child fiction writers/illustrators. His books captivate the young audience 16 months and up. Adults tend to admire his colorful illustrations nearly as much as that of the younger crowd. This illustrator provides beautiful collage pictures. Using paints, Eric paints over colored tissue paper with acrylic paint. The method of application varies from brushes, to fingertips, or sponges and such. Upon drying, these pieces are stored color-coded drawers. He then cuts out shapes from the colored papers to create the scenes and characters.

Little Cloud
Author: Eric Carle
ISBN: 0698118308

Most children adore gazing at the sky and capturing images from the clouds above. Child author Eric Carle confesses his passion for doing exactly this and replicates the excursion within the 32 pages of Little Cloud. Extraordinarily illustrated in the Eric Carle characteristic, collage manner, this book provides a celebration of childhood. Simple text accompanies whimsical illustrations to create a calm and charming tale.

In this spectacular tale, Little Cloud trails away from fellow clouds to whimsically transform into many forms. Ranging from a lamb, an airplane, a shark, a clown, trees, a rabbit, a hat, and a clown – this little cloud independently ventures along before joining fellow clouds to become rain.

This book provides me with a visual comparative to the style of my youngest daughter – Marisa. She is very creative, energetic, and confident. She enjoys life, but also enjoys being with people. So, when sharing this story, it is common for me to snicker in delight as I imagine Marisa adventuring through a day.

Another warming effect transpiring from this book stems from the common knowledge that preschool children frequently transform clouds into imagery. As Eric Carle confesses, the fine art of cloud gazing is enjoyed by all age spectrums. Most children adore divulging into make-believe, and this book inspires that very attribute.

This particular publication is suggested for children preschool through 1st grade. Children 2 through 5 years of age will be most interested, and those reading at a 1st – 2nd grade levels will easily digest the text. Illustrations provided offer excellent text clues.

Eric maintains a heart desire for children to enjoy school more than he did. He was born in Syracuse, New York, in 1929 and was moved to Germany at 6 years of age. Saddened by the authoritative structure of schools, he longed to return to the United States of America. He dreamed of constructing a bridge from Germany to America. Upon completion of this bridge, he would take his Grandmother’s hand and walk back to the land he yearned for.

In 1952 he returned to the United States of America, bringing with him memories that would later serve to launch many remarkable publications. Initially working as a graphic designer and art director of an advertising agency, Carle eventually combined forces with Bill Martin, Jr. to offer Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? One of the most profound reasons for this fabulous authors plunge into juvenile fiction stems from his personal fascination of the period in a child’s life when he/she leaves home for school, and feels his books provide a good bridge for this precious time.

This wonderful authors provides an assortment of child-appreciated / mother-approved reading splendor! His adoration for the learning process and fun-filled times of childhood are evident in all publications. I highly recommend Little Cloud for your in-home library.



Final Thoughts
This delightful publication offers read aloud splendor for the young child. It is common to observe Eric Carle become a featured author within 1st grade classrooms. Seeing that text is easily digested by those reading at 1st – 2nd grade levels, this is an easy concept to consume. Couple the appealing text with the captivating illustrations, and we receive a true reading delight!

My oldest daughter devoured all publications by this fine author. And now, Marisa (6 years old ~ 1st grade) is ever more fond of this child fiction artist. In fact she just brought home a creative self-authored story in which the illustrations were arrived by utilizing the paint collage technique. This proud Mom clearly conjures… “Mr. Carle, you have hit the mark of sparking school adoration and writing splendor!”

I recommend providing tempera paint in blue shades and white for your child.
Have them paint a page of blue shades using various sponges and textures.
Have them paint a white page with gentle brush and fingerstrokes.
Allow to dry.
Have them use the blue for background, and allow them to rip the white into cloud shapes of his/her choice.
Thus illustrating a cloud collage.

Other Eric Carle Splendor
Does A Kangaroo Have A Mother Too?
Roosters off to See the World... but hen should've packed
Brown Bear, Brown Bear (by Bill Martin, Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle )
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
A House for Hermit Crab
The Very Quiet Cricket
The Mixed-Up Chameleon
Draw Me a Star
Do You Want to Be My Friend?

Happy Reading!
© 2001 Lisa_J



Recommended: Yes