LOLA SHAPES THE SKY

Clouds in the sky work to make
weather through shade, rain, and snow, but one special cloud named Lola turns
herself into incredible, creative, artful figures.

Thor, a large, godlike, domineering
male cloud, chastises Lola for her playfulness, telling her “Clouds make
weather, not shapes,” and howling “You’re the worst cloud ever!” Lola refuses
to be intimidated or dissuaded by the overbearing voice of Thor and continues
to display her personality through her fabulous shapes. “I may not be a
weather-maker!” she declares, “but I can be ferocious…humorous…gorgeous.” For
people on the ground Lola’s creations are remarkably lifelike, resembling in
turn a roaring lion, a juggling penguin, and a beautiful girl. Despite Thor’s
disapproval, the other clouds are inspired and learn to fluff and puff
themselves into shapes with Lola, while Thor eventually relents: “Bravo, Lola!…You
are one of a kind.” Lush digital illustrations place pastoral scenes in the
foreground with (mostly) sky-blue hues in the background, accentuated by the
downy, frothy whites of the various cloud characters. Lola’s attitude inspires
confidence in one’s imaginative abilities to pursue life’s aspirations. Though
not a new idea, this rendition is lovely and will couple well with Charles Shaw’s
classic, It Looked Like Spilt Milk (1947). A brief addendum on the
different types of clouds and their significance is included.

An airy idyll. (Picture book.
4-8)