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Weathernose

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Why in the world do kids have to go and invent things these days?

In the Cerulean Universe, the world is only just awakening to scientific discovery and invention. And Tart Morning hates change. He’s had the same old quilt since he was twelve, if you know what I mean. And now, thanks to a ground-breaking invention called “the weathernose” – a machine that calculates weather predictions, Tart’s career is on the line. His only choice is to destroy the weathernose, but the machine’s smug ten-year-old inventress, Cypress Korkul, is far too clever for him. Also, she has no sense of humor.

In his scrambling efforts to keep up with the times, Tart finds himself willing to go to ever more dastardly lengths. How far is he willing to go to get his job and his old life back? What will he find out about Cypress – and himself – along the way?

Welcome to this steamunk universe! If you like power games, strawberry tarts, and hot air balloons then this is the book for you! For readers who enjoy authors like Terry Pratchett and Lemony Snicket.


Get your copy of Weathernose! Available in e-book and print!

122 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2019

4 people are currently reading
297 people want to read

About the author

Maram Taibah

2 books17 followers
Maram Taibah is an author and filmmaker from Saudi Arabia. Born in Montreal and raised in Riyadh, the harsh desert environment pushed her to escape into books at a very young age. Maram is an avid lover of fantasy. She's inspired by authors like Phillip Pullman and C.S.Lewis. She's the author of Weathernose and The Road to Elephants.

Maram is currently working on a fantasy novel.

Follow Maram on instagram: @maram.taibah.author




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5 stars
24 (57%)
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11 (26%)
3 stars
7 (16%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
1 review1 follower
September 2, 2019
From the amazing writing style to the full of life characters to the surprising plot, This book was a fun and light read!!!! I highly recommend it if you're in for a joyous ride!
Profile Image for Velika.
96 reviews
April 20, 2020
Great little book. Little, because of its length, but in no way because of its qualities. Very vibrant and dynamic, thoroughly easy and enjoyable to read. Full with wisdom, inhabited by cool characters and bustling with charm. Recommend it to everyone!

I think also a good base for a children's' book, with beautiful drawings? :)
Profile Image for David Wilson.
Author 162 books230 followers
October 19, 2019
In "The Weathernose," you will meet Tart, and Cypress. There are other characters, but these are the focus. One has always dreamed of sailing, but has worked as a weatherman all his life, a job he's "okay" at but that has driven him to solitude. Cyrpress is a prodigy who has replaced Tart through the invention of "The Weathernose," a much more accurate way to predict the weather. That is the backdrop. The meat of this story, though, told in a sort of Neil Gaimanish fashion like a parable, is the evolving relationship and awareness of the two protagonists. This is a short, fun book that will make you smile, and think, in equal parts.. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lujain.
9 reviews23 followers
September 15, 2019

Weathernose was an exceedingly fun read. I read it while I took my daughters to the park one day and it helped me decompress after a week full of adulting 🤣
I loved how it flowed and how real the characters were/are!
It was laugh out loud humor, lighthearted, and very colorful. It reminded me of my childhood and how seriously clueless adults are and that we are all human and that kindness matters.
As awesome and complete as it was, I pray there’s a sequel, maybe a deeper dive into that cerulean world!
Profile Image for Eileen.
2,417 reviews135 followers
November 4, 2019
What a fabulous little novella! I loved the cranky, lonely old weatherman and the arrogant child prodigy as they learn not only about each other, but about themselves! This was such a delightful short story and the ending left me wanting to read more about their future adventures together! I hope the author writes more stories about them. I can highly recommend this for anyone looking for a fun adventure!

Special thanks to #MaramTaibah and #BookSirens for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews.
5,476 reviews177 followers
June 25, 2020
The fastest way to get out of a rut can also be the hardest one.

What an interesting main character Tart was! He was the sort of person who had plenty of flaws that he wasn’t aware of in the slightest. I honestly didn’t like him very much in the beginning because of that, but I soon changed my mind as he began his journey of personal growth. He had a long way to go, and it was marvellous to see how he changed as a result of meeting Cyprus and losing his job.

There were pacing issues. The plot started off slowly and then became uneven. Adjusting to how quickly things were moving over and over again made it tricky for me to lose myself in the storyline. No sooner would I get used to one of the speeds than the next scene would switch things up again.

This story was filled with whimsical moments. It was set in a hazy portion of the past that only added to its charm, especially once I got to know the characters better and realized that weathernoses were the only option for anyone who wanted to know whether or not a thunderstorm might interrupt the picnic they had planned for tomorrow. Their world was a wonderfully quaint one where time passed leisurely and just about any interaction with the neighbors carried with it the possibility of something magical happening.

Weathernose should be read by anyone who has ever wished they could predict the weather.
Profile Image for Michele.
110 reviews4 followers
June 13, 2020
What a magical little book. Tart and Cypress jump off the page and into your heart from the very beginning and stay with you long after you've finished the story. Filled with storylines, dialogue and conflicts an adult can relate to, this is by no means strictly relegated to the children's shelves -- yet it is also easily accessible and reader-friendly for younger readers as well. Loved this book.
Profile Image for Mark (and Melissa) Goodrich.
19 reviews
June 14, 2020
If you're looking for a great little read for young readers with a steampunk feel and believable characters. Turn your life's plan upside down and see where things end up. Pick your side, Tart or Cypress, but by the end of the book, you may find yourself on an even keel like a balloon on the breeze. Great read for the young and young at heart.
1 review
February 13, 2021
The story unfolds like a magical journey, and hidden between the lines are beautiful, and often humorous thoughts and perspectives. Made me smile every few pages.

Definitely a captivating read. I dived in deep, met the characters, and went through it all in one go! Perfect for the targeted age group and adult-kids like myself.
Profile Image for Carrie.
674 reviews5 followers
May 23, 2021
This was a fun and quick read about Tart, an adult meteorologist, and his nemesis who is a 10-year-old girl. I found there were lots of interesting themes here including not allowing fear or adulthood to keep you from pursuing your dreams and the importance of treating children, even brilliant ones, as children.
Profile Image for Geoff Gander.
Author 22 books20 followers
December 3, 2021
An odd, delightful, and whimsical steampunk-themed novella. Ms. Taibah presents a world that is both familiar and strange, but the characters of Tart and Cypress face internal and external problems we can all relate to. Both are flawed beings that I came to like as the story progressed.

I would read more from this author.
Profile Image for Just_ann_now.
737 reviews10 followers
June 16, 2020
This middle-grade novel is lighthearted, but with a message kids can relate to and adults should. The characters and world-building were vivid and engaging, and the prose was full of dry wit. I would very much enjoy reading the further adventures of these improbable friends.
Profile Image for Suhail Mohammed.
83 reviews
November 5, 2024
Sweet and a feel-good short novel.

At first, I thought the story was so childish and not for me. However, later on, it was developed into a sweet, entertaining and meaningful story that I liked.
Profile Image for Kristina.
11 reviews1 follower
August 9, 2020
One of the most creative page turning reads

Imaginative and creative characters with a moral to the story. Highly recommend. This is like an art film in written word.
Profile Image for Isaac Wetenkamp.
65 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2021
Really well written, fun to read story that is technically for kids but touches every one’s heart. The character’s really come alive and the emotion in every scene is captured perfectly!
Profile Image for Courtney Bagby.
393 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2024
A surprisingly sweet story. Don’t know how this finds its way into the children’s section, but it is an interesting perspective for a child to read.
73 reviews3 followers
November 3, 2019
About the writer on most online platforms I could find can be cited as follows:

Maram Taibah is an author and filmmaker from Saudi Arabia. Born in Montreal and raised in Riyadh, the harsh desert environment pushed her to escape into books at a very young age.


This already inspires me as a reader to grab Taibah’s book. With a life this interesting at a fairly young age, one would expect some interesting stories. And would not be disappointed.

But this is not why I picked up this book.

I chose to receive this book for free and give my honest review…

…because of the absolutely gorgeous front. I love it.

*Summary recommendation: If you are looking for a fresh, safe little adventure at a place where life is good, even if it’s bad for a while, then don’t look further. This is a wonderful little gem of a story for children of all ages, and I wholeheartedly recommend picking it up. It might even pick you up in return.*

“Weathernose” introduces us to Tart Morning, an old-fashioned weatherman who has been enjoying his repetitive days very much indeed. He spends his time on his island, coming to the main land as little as possible, together with his pet crow Kra. He would prefer to keep everything exactly as it is, thank you very much, and is, of course, unpleasantly surprised when things do change.

Enter Cypress Korkul, a ten-year-old who is far too smart for her own good, and who invented the weathernose, a machine to predict the weather more accurately than Tart ever could, and this for many more days in advance.

His job at stake, Tart decides to destroy the invention, but has once again made a mistake in his calculations: Cypress is, indeed, much smarter than he expects.

Many adventures later, the two learn much more about each other than they do about weather predicting. All is well.

This book is exactly what it promises to be, from the very beginning. Sometimes books should be judged by their cover… This one delivers on all fronts. It is a feel-good, safe little adventure, which anyone could enjoy. I loved it so much myself that I simply had no comments. It grew on me from the first pages, I enjoyed how the prose flows, how the characters grow. It is perfectly predictable, and a wonderful read nevertheless. Maybe even because of its predictability.

Read this book. Give it to your friends, read it to your children (or let them read it to themselves; they will ask for more). It makes the world a tiny bit better. Luckily, there might even be a sequel!
Profile Image for Almelyn.
68 reviews4 followers
October 22, 2019
(got this book for free in BookSiren in exchange of an honest review)

Rating: 4.5/5
I really enjoyed the book. I love children's books, and I am quite sure that if you are also a fan of those, you would also like this.

Tart is an isolated 42 year old man who has forgotten what life is outside his island. He's already contented with being the weatherman. Along with his pet crow, Kra, he spends his time working on predicting the weather. It was what he always does, and he finds comfort in doing the same things everyday.

I found Tart's reaction realistic, when suddenly, a little girl named Cypress replaced him of his work. It is frustrating, and it just shows just how much Tart was lacking in the communication department, seeing how everyone just seems to agree that he has to be replaced.

At first, I didn't like Cypress as a character. She felt like a spoiled child at the first part and I remember how it amazes me on just how she became bestfriends with Sari. But as the book progressed, I grew to like her a lot. Indeed, there is only so much a child can handle from society's pressure of not being different but at the same time, being special.

If I were to suggest something though, I hope that there will be illustrations on the book. All this time I am busy imagining the world and the characters and it would really look good if some of the scenes were drawn on the pages like the usual children's books.

Lastly, I would really be happy if it turns into an animated movie because it has the potential. I can't comment enough on how it would really be awesome.
Profile Image for Alyssia Cooke.
1,428 reviews38 followers
November 6, 2019
This is a wonderful little book that will appeal to children and adults in equal measure. It's heart warming and poignant, a book full to the brim with whim and charm but not lacking for excellent characters or world building. Tart, a cynical weatherman, nineteen years on the job doing the same old routine day in and day out. Until Cypress comes along, inventor of the Weathernose and cause of his sudden employment. Child prodigy and boy does she know it.

By turns funny and moving, Weathernose packs one hell of a punch for it's hundred odd pages. It is a tale you cannot help but fall in love with regardless of age or circumstance. It is a story of strength and fragility, of childhood and innocence, of finding yourself in the most unexpected places. In short, it is a wonderful little book and is one I will keep an eye on as a present for all the small people in my life. I fell in love with the characters, the scenery, the imagination. It has that rare mix of genuine entertainment and a keen eyed look at the human state, both old and young.

I imagine many bright children will see a part of themselves in Cypress and be glad of it for it means they are not alone. I imagine many adults will be able to see part of themselves in more than one of these characters. They are as beautifully drawn as the novel as a whole and I can't imagine anyone not finding something here.

Thank you to BookSirens for a free copy of this book.
Profile Image for Megan.
450 reviews56 followers
November 5, 2019
Admittedly I didn't realize this was actually a novella, so I was a bit disconcerted when I looked down after a while and saw that I was 65% of the way through the book and it was going up with every page. There were some good points to this, I enjoyed seeing Tart and Cypress becoming friends, but I think it was a bit too easy to get there. Then again, I guess that's the point of it being a novella, eh? But I wish there had been more to it.

The character development is interesting. I had a serious dislike for Tart from the moment he was fired, and it only got worse until the last bit of the book. Even then, though, I didn't love him. I didn't really connect to any of the characters to be honest. But I did like that there were a few changes of heart as things went on, and I liked seeing Cypress express the desire to be "just a kid" at one point.

A cute little novella, good story, but really wish there was more to it.

Thank you to Book Sirens for the opportunity to read and review this book. My opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Dima Alashram.
19 reviews
September 26, 2019
What a cute, witty and fun novella! I finished it in one sitting. The minute you meet Tart you feel like you've known him for a long time, even though he exists in this made-up Cerulean universe that the author has weaved with absolute wit and skill.

This novella can easily be turned into a Pixar movie with all its light-hearted and fun events. The relationship between the main characters; Tart Morning and Cyprus Korkul, is developed in a smart and fun way. The author plants little surprises here and there throughout the novella that makes you want to keep going to find out what happens. The humour in the book is smart and suits the characters and the plot without overdoing it.

When I finished the book I found myself missing Tart and Cyprus and wondering what they're up to next. This can easily turn into a series of friendly - and not sometimes not so friendly - rivalries and adventures between Tart and Cyrpus.
Profile Image for San.
179 reviews11 followers
November 19, 2019
This short novella is a perfect afternoon read, the best thing has to be the writing style-magnificent. For a new author the writing was profound and the way the story was structured. The author has the ability to write a full length novel.

What was really weird was TART snooping around a 10 year old's house, no matter how it's seen; it's weird. It doesn't matter if some little girl out does you and in hatred you go around snooping a child's home trying to find that thing.

Nevertheless the book is very well written, very enjoyable, the characterization could have used little poslishing. The writing was beautiful,oh I already mentioned that? Oops.

Recommeded to anyone looking for a quick and heart touching story.

Thank you to BookSirens for giving me this book in an exchange for an honest review.

P.s I loved the orignal idea of a weather machine.
Profile Image for Jessica.
179 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2019
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

For more than half of this book I was very sad for Tart. He had lost his job, his credibility, and any hope for an income. He basically had turned into a deranged man bent on getting revenge. I really wasn’t sure if I liked this story or not until I got to the very end.

When Cyprus Korkul was introduced, I HATED her. She came across as the most spoiled child ever. The kind you know has never been told no and treats everyone badly because of it.

As the story progressed, however, both characters changed and developed into truly wonderful people. They both were able to find themselves and become someone they each truly wanted to be.

Weathernose was a truly endearing book. I enjoyed the unique world and the excellent character building. While a little depressing at the start, the ending made up for every bit of sadness.

5 stars.
Profile Image for Lori Peterson.
1,231 reviews37 followers
October 21, 2019
Received as an ARC, this is an honest review. Tart served as the island of Linett's only weatherman- accomplishing his job on a small island nearby. He loved the quiet life of watching the sea and sky, calculating forecasts and sending them through a portal pipe to Linett. Unfortunately, his life is completely uprooted by The Weathernose- a invention crafted by Cypress, a smart young girl who claims her machine can deliver the weather faster. With his job lost, Tart decides to take his and his anger out on the supposed miracle machine. But it's what his unravels about The Weathernose that could earn him his job back and rightly embarrass Cypress, if Tart goes down that path. A quirky adventure awaits, highly recommended.
259 reviews3 followers
November 6, 2019
I received a free copy of this book through BookSirens in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

This novella really annoyed me for half the book because it seemed like the children dictated the actions of the adults. For example, why is it up to the child whether the father gave someone a job in the bookstore? The parent should be the parent. Just because a child is smart, does not mean they should have a free for all. This is just one of a few examples. At the beginning, I sympathized with Tart (even though he went overboard now and again) more than I did with Cypress.

After the story unfolded, it turned out to be a decent story. It's a story of two people finding themselves through turmoil.
November 18, 2019
What a lovely book!
I liked everything about this book. It is so lovely, well written, heartfelt and exciting. Don't event let me start about the cover that is just amazing!
I liked both the characters and the plot. Apart from being an entertaining book for children (and adults as well), it also has a teaching quality to itself: telling how people do have it in themselves to be better than even they thought they can be. It is the warmth of heart that wins in the end.
I think this is a great read for any age.

--
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Emma.
592 reviews16 followers
November 11, 2019
I recieved a free copy of this book via booksirens in exchange for an honest review.

I found this a really sweet and fun book. I love the writing style, it was melodic. The characters were great and very believable. Tart came across mostly as a bitter man but with good reason. Cyrpess seemed a little too adult at times, but it added to her arogance which came across well.

The story progressed well and I found it charming. I loved where it went and how it ended. I would read more in the series. I would love to know more about the setting, seems like a really interesting world.

5 out of 5 stars
1 review
October 25, 2019
Felt like i was a bird seeing all that was written:
Easy read, all of a sudden you stop reading the lines, and you become part of the story. Perhaps a bird flying over and seeing all that is written. A beautiful and light-hearted read for adults as well as children. The story flowed so smoothly, and the subtle humor in the character interactions was superb. The images I imagined were so colorful, saturated, and breathtaking. Would love to see it as a movie. 100% recommended
Profile Image for Romy.
206 reviews6 followers
September 5, 2020
A free copy of this book was given to me by booksirens in exchange for an honest review.

Weathernose is the story of a change of heart, a story of realising one's true dreams and forming friendships. This novella was written beautifully and the characters were wonderful to read about.

Read my full review here: https://starredpages.com/2019/11/10/w...
32 reviews4 followers
September 23, 2019
The book ressonated so much with me! I loved it very much! 💙💙💙 I found i have both Cypress and a Tart within me and it was so lovely to connect with both of them.
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