The Cloudspotter
Reviewed By Grasshopper2 June 17, 2015
Author Tom McLaughlin
Distributor:
ISBN: 9781408854969
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Release Date:
Website: http://www.murdochbooks.com.au
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This is a very gently coloured, gently told story about clouds and friendship and persistence. The end papers at the beginning show just clouds; at the end they show clouds and another character, in a hot air balloon. This encases a story about a shift of opinion and the joy of discovery.
The picture book is well set out. The text is large enough for fingers to follow and the pages are divided in interesting ways. Sometimes the illustrations take up the whole two pages, sometimes one page and sometimes the page is divided by large rectangular or square boxes. The colours, while not bright, blend well with each other and give a sense of softness and wistfulness.
A minimum of words are used encouraging discussion and creative thinking, for example “squeaky clouds”. The story is centred around a boy who, until the very last page, wears a cushion on his back for his cloud contemplation. It is almost a protective shield for him. He is content watching the clouds, and being in them, on them and travelling with them.
One day a “scruffy dog” joins the boy, who is concerned that she might be “after his clouds”. “He isn’t used to sharing his clouds with anyone!” The concepts of sharing, friendship and persistence are looked at in the simplest way, and easily lend themselves to a discussion of these issues.
The activities that lead from reading this story are many. The obvious cloud spotting and naming is evident, but so are the issues of recognising a friend, and sharing. The dog shows persistence in wishing to join the boy and ultimately it pays off, with benefits to both.
It is often difficult to raise these issues with young children, but here in this book, is the perfect vehicle. It is a delightful book, easily read, and easy to read out loud.