Once Upon a Cloud

This book does not do a good job of developing processes in relation to science. It does allow students to observe, predict, and infer, but in a reading context that would not relate to a scientific context.

• Author: Rob D. Walker
• Illustrator: Matt Mahurin
• Year Published: 2005
• ISBN: 0-439-68879-5

Science Topics

• Earth Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• Kindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 2nd Grade

Summary

Vivid descriptions accompany dream-like illustrations pondering what clouds are and where they come from.

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: High
• Authority: Low
• Accuracy: Low
• Liteary Artistry: High
• Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

This book does not do a good job of developing processes in relation to science. It does allow students to observe, predict, and infer, but in a reading context that would not relate to a scientific context.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

It does provide opportunities for children to ask questions. I think that all literature provides opportunity for children to question. Although, I think students would ask their own questions, I’m not sure they would be able to answer them. I could see students questioning the accuracy of this book, but they might not be able to answer this on their own.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

I think that this book encourages children to think for themselves because it would activate their imaginations and would be great for a writing lesson. However, there is no real factual information about clouds presented, so it could interfere with knowledge construction of where clouds actually come from scientifically.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

No, the topic of clouds and weather is addressed inappropriately for a science lesson. The book asks the question what are clouds made of and answers it with many imaginative, but nonfactual ways.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

No the entire book is inaccurate and based on nonfactual information. The entire book explains what clouds are in imaginative, but not factual ways. For example, clouds are described as possibly being made of mashed potatoes and described as being made from a cloud factory.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

No it does not. The entire book is fictional and untrue, but that is unclear. This book could be very confusing for students who have never learned about clouds in a scientific concept. It could lead to an inaccurate conceptualization of how clouds are made.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are clear and accurate in the way that they correspond with the text. Some of the illustrations are accurate scientifically, but most are not. There are a couple good illustrations of clouds in the sky. However, all of the other illustrations show humans and things interacting with clouds in ways that are not possible.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

This book is basic and clearly written. If I were using it in a first grade classroom it would be at their level. Grades higher than first might find this book too easy.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

There is no multicultural component to this book and it is free from stereotyping. One thing that I noticed about the illustrations was that there are different races represented.

Is the book free from gender bias?

This book does not demonstrate any gender bias. There are girls and boys depicted in the illustrations and they are not confined to any gender roles.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

No, this book does not show the association between science and other disciplines. It is about clouds, which relate to the science topic of weather, but it does not incorporate and factually based concepts. The entire book is fictional and could create confusion about actual facts about clouds. This book takes a scientific concept and uses it completely fictionally, making it mostly useful for language arts.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

No, this book does not present a positive attitude toward science. However, I do not think that it presents a negative attitude toward science either. It is a creative and funny book that would be great for a writing lesson. There was no reference to technology.