The Cloud Book

Yes, the book fosters the development of the process of classification. There are multiple clouds classified throughout the book with descriptions of how they look and what types of rain to expect coming from them. The book also explains where in the sky these clouds are located.

Author: Tomie de Paola
Illustrator: Tomie de Paola
Year Published: 1975
ISBN: 0-8234-0259-2

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Kindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

2nd Grade

Summary

This book is about the ten different types of clouds. It spends half of the book educating students on different types of clouds, and then spends the second half of the book explaining myths that people in the olden days had about clouds and popular weather sayings. I loved the illustrations!

Evaluation

Appropriateness: Medium
Authority: High
Accuracy: High
Liteary Artistry: High
Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

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

Yes this book provides an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions. There are multiple drawings of differently shaped/colored clouds. A student could ask what the type of cloud is called or why it looks differently than the previous cloud they saw. This book also explains what a cloud is, so if a student needed help understanding what exactly a cloud is, they can refer back to that definition. Definition given: "Clouds are little drops of water or ice hanging in the upper atmosphere."

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

I do not believe that this book encourages children to think for themselves. While I find this book educational by providing children with facts and descriptions of different cloud types, it is not a story or sequence that allows children to wonder/predict what will happen next.

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

The content is appropriate to the lesson.

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

The content is based on sound scientific principals. It identifies the three main cloud types, "Cirrus, cumulus, and stratus," then explains the clouds that are either a mixture of two of the three main types, or have similar characteristics of one of the three. All the descriptions in this book are accurate. One could argue that some of the drawings are inaccurate. For example, the illustrator drew clouds in the shape of sheep. I believe it is more beneficial because it is pulling on the students prior knowledge about what sheep look like and allowing them to link it to Cirrocumulus clouds which are "small, fleecy masses."

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This book does distinguish between fact and fiction. The first half of the book provides factual information about the cloud types and how to distinguish different types. The last half of the book talks about myths that people used to have about clouds. While the myths themselves are not true, it is factual that these people held these beliefs.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are clear and accurate. It clearly showed what certain types of clouds look like and their location in the sky. There were also multiple illustrations that pulled on students prior knowledge and allowed them to get a better visual for the cloud type. Examples: Cumulus clouds looking like fresh cauliflower or cirrocumulus clouds looking fleecy like sheep.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

The book was written for k-2 grade. I find that this book is too advanced for these grades. The Cloud Book has a DRA level of 30. The DRA level for k-2 ranges from a 1 to a 28. While it is informative and factual, I think that the cloud names cirrocumulus, cirrostratus, altostratus, altocumulus, nimbostratus, stratocumulus, and cumulonimbus would be too difficult for the students to pronounce or remember.

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

There was not a multicultural component when discussing the different cloud types. When people did appear during the cloud definitions, they were always the same race/ethnicity. There was not much diversity among the people. I also found that there was a stereotypical drawing of Native Americans when discussing ancient myths about the clouds.

Is the book free from gender bias?

This book is free of gender bias. There are multiple male and female characters in the book.

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

There is little to no connections made between science and other disciplines.

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

Yes! This book is written in a light hearted, silly way, and had illustrations that catered to the eyes of younger readers. There was no connection to technology in this book. However, this book was written in 1975 before technology became a priority in our pedagogy, so I would not expect there to be a connection to technology.