Lovely illustrations but lame story. ( )

Little Cloud feels lonely because she does not want to join the other clouds in making a storm. Instead, she wants to swim, skip, play, etc. She meets Lady Wind who teaches Little Cloud that she does not have to be a part of something scary; she can be gentle like the mist, the rainbow, and the dew. Pick it up if only to see how Toni Morrison writes a children book then enjoy the poetry in the descriptions and the cool colors used to paint this tale about accepting who you are.

Lady Wind reassures Little Cloud that she is a part of the things she loves, the mist, the dew and the rainbow. ( )

A few reviews have been somewhat critical of this book's ties to Aesop's Bundle of Sticks fable and of whether kids would get it. I think it works on two levels. The Morrisons' may have been inspired by the fable and there is material to discuss about where Little Cloud fits in and whether she is stronger as part of a group. It is also is a simple, charming story about Little Cloud's dreams that is very accessible to children. I read the book without knowing it was based on the fable and just really enjoyed it.The illustrations are lovely. I loved the color palette used. The blue of sky seems is in every image coloring even the green earth and trees. I never thought about wind having a color, but Lady Wind's hair is it! ( )