Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with Page Street Kids and The Children's Book Review to bring you this post and giveaway.

Ready for a modern rhyming classic tale? Today I am joining in The Children's Book Review's Virtual Book Tour of A Cloud in a Jar by Aaron Lewis Krol and illustrated by Carlos Velez Aguilera. This fun book is sure to become a classic loved by young children and their adults. It is recommended for ages 4+.There is also a giveaway to win your own copy and to go with the story a round-up of whale crafts!

From the Publisher:

A Cloud in a Jar Written by Aaron Lewis Krol and Illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera

Ages 4+ | 32 Pages | Publisher: Pages Street Kids | ISBN-13: 9781645679936

Publisher’s Book Summary: It’s just after midnight on Walton Wharf West, but there’s no time for sleeping―adventure awaits! Get dressed, grab your oars, let’s not delay. Lou Dozens is here, and we’re sailing to Firelight Bay!

In this modern, young, bold, and inventive adventure, Lou drags her more cautious friend on a daring voyage across the sea. Though their destination is a glorious land of year-round summers, long slides, and picnics a hundred yards wide, the children there have never seen rain, even once.

The mission is simple: bring Firelight Bay a cloud in a jar. But the journey is anything but. Readers will delight in the story’s twists, turns, and unexpected solutions―from a sail of patchwork handkerchiefs to a net crafted from recycled cell phone chargers that saves a beached whale. It’ll take every knick-knack in Lou’s pockets and all the cleverness the pair can muster to safely deliver their gift.

With captivating illustrations and whimsical yet delightfully intricate rhyming text reminiscent of classic children’s poetry, this seafaring quest is one young readers will not soon forget.

PURCHASE LINK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aaron Lewis Krol lives with his family in Lowell, Massachusetts, where he writes about climate change science and solutions for the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative. Like many, his early education included many “invention challenges” where students were tasked with building structures from everyday materials, and he’s pretty sure that’s where the idea for Lou Dozens came from. A Cloud in a Jar is his first picture book.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Carlos Vélez Aguilera lived in the oceanside town of Puerto Vallarta for a time and drew from his memory of those beautiful landscapes and the sense of adventure they gave him while illustrating this book. He also poured in his general love of clouds, the sea, and whales. In addition to drawing, Carlos also likes to dance. He lives in Mexico City, Mexico, with his cat, Benito.

From Me:

This is a feel-good fun book! The story is about an adventure to bring a fantasy town some rain and rainbows because they never have any. It is written in rhyme and just is fun to read. The characters are very inventive, and Lou Dozens always has just the right thing for the job. Lou Dozens has a simple task. She plans to bring a cloud in a jar to the bay where the children have never seen rain or clouds before. She wants them to enjoy rainbows and see the different weather than the sunshine that is always in their world. However, Lou doesn't plan on hitting a storm and having a small rowboat is not the best plan for the storm and journey. When they get stranded with a whale, Lou and her friend get to work to safe the whale. Then the whale saves them and finds a way to show the kids at the bay what rain is like and a rainbow.

This is a fun book that I see read aloud and having kids love the adventure and fun. The Lou Dozens seems like a problem solver and has Mary Poppins pockets. There is a bit of fantasy as well as kindness and fun. There are surprise twists and turns and a message of caring for others. It is definitely a fun book and sure to become a favorite. It is perfect for reading at home, story time or in a class. The adventure, rhymes, and fun will have both children and adults enjoying the story. I hope you will check it out!