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"I fill up,
until I swell.
My soggy edges bulge.
I feel so heavy, I think I'm ready
to burst ...
KERSPLASH!
How heavy is a cloud?
Some can weigh more than
a million pounds! But, even
though they are so heavy,
they float in the air because
the vapor molecules in the
cloud are more spaced out
than the air molecules
under the cloud."
There are two voices here. One is the cloud as it explains in lyrical language how it forms and performs; the other is the voice of a bird intent on making sure that readers know the science behind cloud formations. Speech bubbles contain the information the bird is sharing, and written text provides the rest of the story.
While children cavort in the accumulating puddles, the conditions are ripe for lightning strikes. Thunderstorms are frequent in all parts of the world, and can happen at any time. As thunder roars, a crowd of people look to the sky where the noise is loud and often frightening. Everybody, indoors until the powerful storm passes. The cloud admits that its power has fizzled. Sunshine breaks through, and people return to outdoor pursuits. They may be lucky enough to see a rainbow ... one of the beautiful benefits that follow a downpour.
This informational picture book helps young readers understand how clouds work. Zoe Si's artwork is created using digitally finished ink and watercolor, and complements the text with expressive clarity. Back matter refers to the water cycle, common types of clouds, the life cycle of a thunderstorm, and the author's selected sources for the research that led to her writing this book. It is the second book in the new Forces of Nature series from Kids Can Press. Be sure to look for Kaboom if you want to know more about volcanoes.
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