Kumo: The Bashful Cloud

Kumo is a doubtful little cloud who prefers to float in the sky alone and unnoticed by others. When she is asked to take over cloud duties when both Cumulus and Cirrus are not able to perform these tasks, Kumo becomes overwhelmed with insecurity as her comfort level of invisibility becomes exposed. Kumo fluffs herself up and shuts her eyes in preparing for her duties, only to get stuck! Once she becomes unstuck with the help of a new friend, Kumo begins an amazing adventure where she drifts over cities, releases raindrops over fields and offers shade to a man planting petunias. Among her many adventures, she also has the good fortune to meet some new cloud friends who add joy to her day and share with Kumo that she is seen and never truly alone.

Kyo Maclear’s touching story about shyness shows how little Kumo changes her anxious feelings to confidence by being active and enjoying the beauty and friendships of the world around her. Maclear’s style of prose is almost poetic and adds a gentleness to the subject of bashfulness which can be so difficult for young children.

The illustrations of Nathalie Dion are created in calming blue pastel tones and complement the text with an expression that illuminates the happy peaceful tone of the story.

Maclear offers an opportunity for children to learn a few basic Japanese words with the names of Kumo’s new friends, Fuwa-Chan, Miruku and Mochi. Kumo’s own name translates to the word cloud in English, and the name Mochi to sticky rice cake. This sprinkling of Japanese terms provides a little bit of insight into Japanese culture for readers of the story. Also, the addition of naming characters with cloud terms adds some fun and also works as a lead-in to exploring science with the guidance of Cumulus and Cirrus.