  | Partly cloudy Author: Freedman, Deborah | |
| Price: $23.78 | ||
Summary:
Introduces young readers to two curious bunnies who enjoy watching clouds together. But when each of them looks at the sky, they see completely different things. While one points out the fantastical objects a cloud can display, the other is much more focused on the scientific properties.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (01/01/24)
School Library Journal (+) (02/23/24)
Booklist (04/01/24)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/02/24)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 02/23/2024 PreS-Gr 2—Finding shapes in the clouds is fun for all, but it can be even more fun if there is a scientist that can help identify different types of clouds and give more information about them. Freedman does just that, with two adorable bunnies as the guides. One bunny is fanciful, finding clouds that look like whipped cream or Rapunzel's hair, the other (sigh, with spectacles) is the scientist, identifying the scientific name and properties of clouds, like cirrus clouds, which are made of ice crystals. The text in speech bubbles is as joyful and freestyle as the conversation of unobserved children, while set-off boxes of type provide more formal definitions. This makes the book ideal for story hours, allowing for a flexible give-and-take between reader and audience. The science is substantial enough to allow for independent research, at least as a launch point. Freedman's lovely diaphanous watercolor-like scenes are an ideal counterpoint to the text, showing what the clouds look like. The scientific vocabulary will fascinate young readers. At the end of the book, there are beautifully illustrated diagrams that show the sky positions of different types of clouds as well as more specific information. VERDICT The story is grounded in science and will send children outside to look up, inspired by what they have read. A must have for primary library collections.—Debbie Tanner - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 04/01/2024 Is it cotton candy or a cumulus cloud? Rapunzel’s long hair or a cirrus cloud? As two rabbits express different perspectives on cloud-watching, one tends toward imaginative or fanciful interpretations while the other is ready to supply hard science. Putting the scientific facts within the narrative makes it easy to see how cloud names directly relate to their sizes and shapes. In addition to the dialogue, additional facts appear as inset boxes. Several familiar fairy tales and nursery rhymes are referenced, adding another element of identification fun. The watercolor illustrations are well suited to conveying the varying nature of different clouds. Although one rabbit starts out representing knowledge and the other, fantasy, eventually they both demonstrate that they can appreciate imagination as well as factual information. An expanded section at the end of the book provides further information, describing how clouds form, illustrating the 10 main types of clouds, and including a diagram of the water cycle. Clever and well-executed, this tale is perfect for weather studies or story times. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
