Willy. How can I get rid of it?
The room was getting darker
and darker, so he turned on
the light and closed the curtains.
After a couple of hours, Willy
nervously peered out of the
window. "Fantastic - it's gone!" he shouted."
I have always been a fan of Anthony Browne and his wonderful books. I eagerly await anything new, and am happy to share this one today.
In clear and candid text, Mr. Browne speaks to a wide audience about worry and fears. The cloud that dogs Willy represents so much of what children are dealing with in today's world. It is an emotional time and place. Readers will see themselves in Willy's worry.
Although his day begins comfortably, he soon finds himself consumed with the cloud that suddenly appears in the sky, first as a tiny one and then exponentially bigger. He does his best to outrun it, and thinks that he has. Not so. At the park, on the way home, outside his window, it is always there.
He tries to tell the police. They laugh. He does his best to avoid its presence. Fussing about it changes nothing. Exasperated, he charges outside, yells loudly and tells it what he thinks of it. FINALLY - it does what clouds are meant to do. Following a soothing and refreshing rain, Willy heads out to enjoy the rest of his day.
The illustrations are signature Anthony Browne. Created in mixed media, and filled with color reflecting the mood in each spread, they help young children understand just how debilitating fears can be, and how facing those fears makes a difference. I love the spread that shows Willy dancing around a light post in the rain! Trigger any memories for you?
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