The Cloud That Stuck
Karen Krossing, author
Karen Krossing wrote comics and poetry as a kid and dreamed of becoming a published writer. Today she is the author of many books for young readers, including picture books Sour Cakes and One Tiny Bubble and novels Monster vs. Boy, Bog, and Cut the Lights. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and regularly teaches writing workshops.
Read more about Karen.
Dorothy Leung, illustrator
Dorothy Leung is the illustrator of several books for children, including The Keeper of Star and The Never-ending Sweater. She lives and works in Toronto. www.doroleung.com
Read more about Dorothy.
- Coming soon!
Kirkus Reviews
A young girl is troubled by an annoyingly persistent cloud.
One blustery day, the wind blows a cloud over Tansy’s head, and it can’t be dislodged, despite her family and friends’ best efforts. The cloud grows so big that it begins to rain, drenching Tansy. Her father gives her a raincoat and umbrella, her teacher points a fan in her direction, and best friend Rue joins her under the umbrella to play in the puddles—all of which helps “a little,” Tansy allows. Realizing that gardens like rain, Tansy proposes planting one; soon, she’s walking her cloud around every day to water the seeds. New flowers sprout, and the returning wind blows a hole in the cloud, just the right size for a sunbeam to peek through. In an author’s note, Krossing explains that her story is intended for anyone grappling with “challenges beyond their control” and adds that she drew inspiration from her own experiences with mental illness. Readers will be heartened that though Tansy’s support network does all that they can to help her cope, ultimately, she makes her own bright spot, largely through self-acceptance. Krossing imparts valuable messages to youngsters struggling with their own issues and to those that love them. Leung’s illustrations have a textured coarseness, making effective use of perspective and relying on slightly over-the-top visuals. Tansy is brown-skinned; other characters vary in skin tone.
A heartwarming and convincing tale for kids seeking to ride out life’s rainclouds.
Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-572-7
Ages: 6–9
Page count: 32
8 x 10
Publication date: April 14, 2026



