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From School Library Journal --------------------------- Gr 1-3-Reminiscent of the determination and courage of The Little Engine That Could, this title delivers its message with charm. A petite cloud believes that she is not big enough to accomplish what the big clouds can: provide enough rain to water crops or replenish a flowing waterfall or river. She is inspired by the accomplishments and "good-natured" acts of her larger kin and wants to have a positive effect on the Earth. She floats over a dried-up pond with one little frog hoping for enough rain to revive it. Can Cloudette move beyond what she believes are her limitations and do great things? Lively illustrations in ink, pastels, colored pencils, and watercolors create engaging spreads and characters that tell a story above and beyond the narrative. For example Cloudette's eyes and mouth grow tighter and her color changes from white to gray to black as she builds up enough steam to form that much-needed cloudburst. A few themes emerge for discussions in this multifaceted book, and there are plenty of details for children to discover. An excellent choice for a storytime or classroom. Well done.-Anne Beier, Clifton Public Library, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) From Booklist ( /gp/feature.html/?docId=1000027801 ) ---------------------------------------------------- Diminutive cumulus Cloudette appreciates the advantages of her size, except when the bigger clouds show off by creating significant weather. After being blown to a new neighborhood by a particularly violent thunderstorm, she meets a frog in need of a pond. Summoning all her energy, she generates a respectable downpour, filling a frogworthy habitat. The creator of Bridget�s Beret (2010) offers here another appealing story featuring a plucky heroine. Applying a full-color palette to his watercolor, ink, and colored-pencil cartoons, Lichtenheld makes use of varying page space and panel techniques to add subtle details to his narrative. In one spread, Cloudette puffs up, turns blue-gray, growls fiercely, and then shakes her rumbling behind; in the following, presented vertically, she happily pours. Captions within the art also add to the humor (Cloud: �We knew you had it in you!�). The message that even small fry can accomplish important tasks is well suited to the intended audience; pair with other cloud overachievers, including Eric Carle�s Little Cloud (1996) and Cristoph Niemann�s The Cloud (2007). Preschool-Grade 2. --Kay Weisman Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) See all Editorial Reviews ( /dp/product-description/0805087761/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&isInIframe=0 )