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Cloudy
Follows the quiet activities of a cat as it blends into its surroundings
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 1989
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 27, 2023
A smoky gray cat named Cloudy narrates this beautifully contemplative picture-book, describing how he is the color of thunder and rain, and how he blends into the natural world around him. Swept away "like a ball of fluff" when the winds blows, stalking in the shadows when the sun shines, rolling in the dirt to disappear in a cloud of dust, our feline hero leads a quiet carefree life, retreating indoors at night thanks to his dog friend, whose door he uses into a human home...
I love picture books, and I love cats, so Cloudy was pretty much guaranteed to appeal to me! I'm not sure how I've missed it all these years—it was first published in the UK in 1989, and then in the states in 1990—but once I saw its breathtakingly beautiful cover a few days ago, I knew I had to read it. It did not disappoint, and though it is the first title I have picked up from British author/artist Deborah King, it will most certainly not be the last. The artwork here is just gorgeous, so much so that I would have trouble choosing a favorite scene, while the text is simple but evocative. Cloudy is clearly a human-less cat, and while that might feel melancholy in another book, here it feels natural and right. I was conscious, while reading, that many might be dismayed by the prospect of a domestic feline on its own in the "wild" (it's clearly a rural area), given the harm they can cause to songbirds, but even my awareness of that issue did not lessen my enjoyment of image and text. Truly, a lovely picture book, one I would wholeheartedly recommend to young cat lovers, and one which has convinced me to explore Deborah King's work more fully.
I love picture books, and I love cats, so Cloudy was pretty much guaranteed to appeal to me! I'm not sure how I've missed it all these years—it was first published in the UK in 1989, and then in the states in 1990—but once I saw its breathtakingly beautiful cover a few days ago, I knew I had to read it. It did not disappoint, and though it is the first title I have picked up from British author/artist Deborah King, it will most certainly not be the last. The artwork here is just gorgeous, so much so that I would have trouble choosing a favorite scene, while the text is simple but evocative. Cloudy is clearly a human-less cat, and while that might feel melancholy in another book, here it feels natural and right. I was conscious, while reading, that many might be dismayed by the prospect of a domestic feline on its own in the "wild" (it's clearly a rural area), given the harm they can cause to songbirds, but even my awareness of that issue did not lessen my enjoyment of image and text. Truly, a lovely picture book, one I would wholeheartedly recommend to young cat lovers, and one which has convinced me to explore Deborah King's work more fully.
October 7, 2020
This story was recommended to me by a friend and I will definitely be making the same recommendations. Cloudy is a story about a cat who loves going on adventures and finding new hiding spots. We follow Cloudy throughout their day to see what they get up to as a cat. I loved the illustrations in this book with all the fine lines and amazing detail. For young children, they could create and illustrate their own hiding spots for cloudy and describe what they have created. Children in LKS2 could create their own adventures about a different animal that they like.
October 8, 2018
I think that this book was fairly interesting. it would be a really good book to explore with children if we were looking at similes such as "when the wind blows, I am swept away like a ball of fluff"
this story is about a grey cat's secret life of hiding away amongst the trees.
I think it would be interesting to uncover underlying themes about being forgotten about, being overlooked or even loneliness. The art within the book is very skillful as the illustrator uses dark, murky colours. you have to really look close at the images before you see Cloudy the cat. I think this is really effective in highlighting those underlying themes about being unseen.
this story is about a grey cat's secret life of hiding away amongst the trees.
I think it would be interesting to uncover underlying themes about being forgotten about, being overlooked or even loneliness. The art within the book is very skillful as the illustrator uses dark, murky colours. you have to really look close at the images before you see Cloudy the cat. I think this is really effective in highlighting those underlying themes about being unseen.
June 17, 2023
10/10 profound read, highly recommended. The artistry is just ✨✨
October 22, 2020
I loved how the book was written from cloudy’s point of view. From the tone of voice and use of images, it’s easy to identify what kind of cat cloudy is, a mysterious being who hides in the shadows unseen!
I think children could easily use this book as an example in order to create their own story about their animal. By brainstorming the characteristics, they could write their own books from the perspective of their animal and tell us what they are like through descriptive, comparative sentences!
I think children could easily use this book as an example in order to create their own story about their animal. By brainstorming the characteristics, they could write their own books from the perspective of their animal and tell us what they are like through descriptive, comparative sentences!
October 5, 2020
A great hide and seek book for KS1 about a cat and all of its' mischievous hiding spots. I love the colours in this and the opportunities it offers for the classroom. For example, the children making their own cats and hiding them in a painted scene of their choice.
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September 27, 2020Read for CHL 403 - Fall 2020
March 8, 2022
The picture book that made me want to illustrate picture books …
January 1, 2021
Whilst reading the 'Looking at Pictures in Picture Books' by Jane Doonan I came across her book recommending the stunning illustrations Deborah King portrays in her book cloudy.
This book is excellent with beautiful and detailed illustrations filled with contour, texture, fine lines, range of colours, excellent use of shadows, and different colours to convey varying moods. The book will be suitable for all primary school children. All the pupils will enjoy seeking the cat in the stunning scenery throughout the book. This book could also inspire and cross over with other areas of the curriculum. Children in years 3 and 4 could create their own versions, choosing an animal, and creating a story with adventure. They could use Deborah King's inspiration of illustrations to illustrate their story. Whilst the children draw their illustrations the teacher could encourage the children to carefully consider the format of the illustrations in the book and think about how they could portray feelings, emotions, and moods for the reader looking at the book.
This book is excellent with beautiful and detailed illustrations filled with contour, texture, fine lines, range of colours, excellent use of shadows, and different colours to convey varying moods. The book will be suitable for all primary school children. All the pupils will enjoy seeking the cat in the stunning scenery throughout the book. This book could also inspire and cross over with other areas of the curriculum. Children in years 3 and 4 could create their own versions, choosing an animal, and creating a story with adventure. They could use Deborah King's inspiration of illustrations to illustrate their story. Whilst the children draw their illustrations the teacher could encourage the children to carefully consider the format of the illustrations in the book and think about how they could portray feelings, emotions, and moods for the reader looking at the book.
December 8, 2014
This is a beloved old favorite and I just had to read it again. The pictures are pretty, and this cat reminds me of the cat my daughter had growing up. We had Blossom for 16 years. She was a good cat. This has been a very good book.
March 3, 2025
I wasn't wild about the illustrations but I do like the text. It could be describing a beautiful kitten that came into my life during the first year of COVID. I'm a bit of a sucker for cat books, so this is a keeper.
April 26, 2014
Beautiful book! The illustrations and story are endearing without being "cutesy." One of my new favorites!
February 10, 2015
Gorgeous illustrations! The book shows a beautiful cat as he journeys around his territory then comes safely home. The beauty is in the illustrations though. They are beautiful!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews