Cloud Chaser

by Anne-Fleur Drillon, Éric Puybaret, Lisa Rosinsky

Dreamy Emery loves doodling wild inventions . . . but when a new friend moves in next door with piles of tools and ideas, can they build a real flying machine together? This charming celebration of intergenerational friendship, creativity and the thrill of scientific discovery will delight young inventors and STEM educators alike.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Transport, Animals, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2018

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Cloud Chaser” is a great story! Well a little boy loves to doodle ends up with a neighbor who likes to invent! And what an invention they make together! This would be a great book to use in a science class, or a stem activity. After reading the story, the following activities could be implemented:
* A discussion about who they believe Leon was
* discuss what they could have been creating from history
* Have students design their own version of the machine, or another kind of machine. Focus on making sure they implement correct diagramming skills such as title, labeling, writing a description, including dimensions, etc.
* Have students use simple classroom materials to create a mock version of their machine, a prototype

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emery's dreams of flying get some support from Leon, an elderly man who moves next door. Emery and Leon spend many happy hours tinkering with their invention and trying to get it to work better. One day, though, Leon disappears with the Cloud Chaser for a trip across the ocean. Emery sends his swallow friend, Mirabelle, into the air to accompany his friend. While he waits for them to return, he continues to work on this own inventions. The story and illustrations are magical as they celebrate an unlikely friendship and mentorship. No doubt many youngsters could wish for the presence of someone like Leon in their lives, someone who supports and joins them in their dreaming. The ending left me hopeful that he'll return but also sad in case something happens and he never does. The book was originally published in France.

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jasper (5yo) really liked this book - especially when the neighbor helps the boy. He wanted the boy to have a good adventure with his new flying machine!

Illustrations were beautiful.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emery has ideas about flying! His parent's think it might be impossible, but with an entire summer stretching out before him, Emery decides to try. An elderly new neighbor joins him in his quest and together they create machines, each one better than the last, until one day Emery is airborne! As school begins again, Emery is ready. His friend has flown away in their miraculous vehicle, but Emery still has dreams.

This dreamy little story is NOT founded in reality, so prepare to leap full throttle into a flight of fancy.
The artwork is soft and colorful and is reminiscent of "The Little Prince" with a French vibe going on. The story is highly impractical but very fun and has just the right flavor of Grandpa and grandson getting into trouble that no one else quite understands as the long days of summer pass by. This book is evidence that there is a little boy in every grown man and grown man in the heart of every boy.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cloud Chaser by Anne-Fleur Drillon, illustrated by Eric Puybaret. PICTURE BOOK. Barefoot Books, 2018. 9781782854111

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The young boy’s inventorly ways were misunderstood, but when the old man moved in next door, his imaginings began to take flight.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading a picture about a apprenticeship-like relationship that is a tender generational friendship. The illustrations are really the star here – Puybaret draws as dreamily as the story.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 3 out of 5]

Translated from French, this odd little story is about a boy who dreams of flying. He and a new-found friend named Leon finally invent a machine that can fly. This story with wings of its own soars on the back of the quirky illustrations. Great to use to encourage experimenting and inventing.

Additional for PreS-3.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did I miss something? First the boy sneaks into the new neighbor's yard and takes his contraption materials, and then when the two of them manage to get the flying machine going, the old man takes the machine away. Maybe I've just got the 'wrong' pov, or maybe that tit-for-tat is one of the themes, but it just seems odd to me.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about friendship, inventions, and not giving up. Is a long story so it would be better for upper elementary children.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elderly new neighbor helps a boy realize his dream of buuilding a flying machine. Originally published in France.

[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any child that is a dreamer or an inventor needs this book

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inventive boy meets an inventive neighbor who helps him invent a flying machine.

[Morgan Echtenkamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great STEAM book about perseverance and a growth mindset.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique fantasy about invention and flight.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, lyrical story about a couple of adventurous inventors, tinkering and tuning, building and experimenting - companions in creativity and scientific discovery.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fantasy book teaches about creativity and the joy of working together with friends.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.