I found these two new picture books sitting on a shelf near each other in the Children’s Room at the New York Public Library. Perhaps it was a hint that they’d make a perfect pairing?
Lola Shapes the Sky
Author: Wendy Greenley
Illustrator: Paolo Domeniconi
Publisher/Date: Creative Editions/2019
Ages: 4-8
Themes: clouds, imagination, creativity, weather, acceptance
Short Synopsis (from Goodreads):
A cloud with a mind of her own and a gift for making awe-inspiring shapes encourages her friends to go beyond their practical functions and expand their imaginative horizons.
Read a review by Julie Rowan-Zoch.
Picture the Sky
Author & Illustrator: Barbara Reid
Publisher/Date: Scholastic Canada/2019
Ages: 4-8
Themes: sky, clouds, environment, emotions, art, weather
Short Synopsis (from Goodreads):
In this companion to the bestselling Picture a Tree, Barbara Reid has us look up . . . way up
Wherever we may be, we share the same sky. But every hour, every day, every season, whether in the city or the forest, it is different. The sky tells many stories: in the weather, in the clouds, in the stars, in the imagination. Renowned artist Barbara Reid brings her unique vision to a new topic – the sky around us. In brilliant Plasticine illustrations, she envisions the sky above and around us in all its moods.
Picture the sky. How do you feel?
Read a review at Kirkus Reviews.
I paired these books because they both encourage readers to imaginatively look up at the sky, and find magic in the clouds. But while the folks down on the ground are the main characters of Picture the Sky, the clouds, and in particular, Lola, take center stage in Lola Shapes the Sky.
Anyone living in the Midwest or the Northeastern United States should understand the reason I chose this perfect picture book for today. If there’s any doubt, a very recent picture of some very sad pansies (before a snow blanket covered them) will show you why!
Title: When Spring Comes
Wander, Ponder, Write 