Kumo The bashful cloud

Maclear (If You Were a City) writes a tale as light and lilting as its cloud hero. Kumo, whose "only wish was to float unseen," panics when she's tapped for cloud duty. She'd strongly prefer not to venture out alone: "What if people point? What if I'm too airy?" Under pressure, she immediately becomes stuck in a tree, but a friendly kite and a breath of wind set her free. She gradually gains confidence as it becomes clear that her work--watering the earth and providing shade--is necessary and important. There's pleasure in it, too, as she assumes fanciful forms for a dreaming boy: "Kumo knew it was hard being small in such a big place. And sometimes dreaming helped." Quiet, sweeping panoramas, often in sunrise colors, nurture the sense of calm that comes with broad perspectives and new connections. Dion (The Big Bad Wolf in My House) emphasizes the natural forms of Kumo and her fellow clouds, creating distinctive shapes that bear just the suggestion of facial expressions in this memorable story about coming into one's own. Ages 4--8. Author's agent: Jackie Kaiser, Westwood Creative Artists. Illustrator's agent: Sylvie Hamel, Anna Goodson Illustration Agency. (Sept.)

What do you see in the clouds…a new friend, perhaps? Kumo, a cloud who likes to hide high up in the sky, floats about where no one can see her. One day, she is given a big job--to care for those on land by keeping them cool and shaded and offering rain. Anxious and self-conscious about being seen, Kumo sets out, eyes shut…and gets tangled up in a tree. With the help of a friendly kite and the wind, Kumo tries again and discovers some interesting sights--tall city buildings, a warm lake, rolling fields, and more. At a lively street party, she finds a kindred spirit--a young boy gazing up at the clouds, standing a bit apart, and daydreaming. Using spare, evocative prose, Maclear depicts Kumo's journey to become braver and make cloud friends, discovering her place in the sky and gaining confidence along the way. Dion's illustrations offer a gentle, pastel-tinged land- and skyscape; Kumo's soft form makes her approachable and relatable, especially for young readers who may themselves feel anxious about finding their place and making friends. They may even be inspired to gaze up into the sky in search of Kumo, perhaps before a repeat reading. Humans depicted are racially diverse; the boy presents as Asian. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A quiet, satisfying tale about being brave enough to take that first step. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.