Little Cloud by Eric Carle

Little Cloud
By Eric Carle
Ages 1-4
Topics: clouds
ISBN:0-399-23191-9

Little cloud trails behind the other clouds. He soon finds himself alone and changes into a sheep, an airplane, a shark and other shapes. The repetition of “little cloud changed into a…” encourages children to look at the picture and provide the label. Then follows a little information about the item pictured, “Little Cloud liked the way the trees never moved and stayed in one place.” Eventually, the other clouds call Little Cloud back to join them, then the clouds become “one big cloud” and rain.

The illustrations are hand –painted paper collages and are all white/blue clouds on a blue sky background with the exception of two pictures that include “the houses and the trees”. The simplicity of the cloud collages will allow the youngest children to focus on the object being described and encourage older children to try their hand at copying.

A great-read aloud rhythm, younger children will want to hear this one over and over again. It’s also fun for them to look at this one independently and label.

Eric Carle is the author and illustrator of some of the most popular picture books for young children including The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Busy Spider, and Today is Monday. Carle, a graphic designer, started his children’s book career illustrating Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin. Carle creates his collages using painted tissue paper that is pasted onto cardboard. For more information on Eric Carle, visit his website.

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