Title: A Cloud in a Jar | Author: Aaron Lewis Krol | Illustrator: Carlos Vélez Aguilera | Genre: Picture Book | Publisher: Page Street Kids | Release Date: October 3, 2023 | ISBN-13: 9781645679936
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.
My Thoughts: A Cloud in a Jar is, at its core, an adventure story reminiscent of children’s classics blended with new ideas, contemporary problems and a wholly-unique rhyming structure. From a resourceful protagonist to hilarious feline sidekick, the clever crew must navigate a slew of obstacles with whatever they have on hand in order to deliver a cloud.
I was particularly taken by the unique rhyming structure — at once familiar, yet unique in that the rhymes don’t arrive as expected. For those familiar with rhyming schemes, this is not the rhythm that traditional picture books follow where the second and fourth lines rhyme. The structure that Krol uses keeps readers on their toes and creates a whole new reading experience for young children.
While the story feels traditional, the modern references — cell phone chargers, for one — place the story firming in the present. The gorgeous illustrations in striking dark blues and vivid pirate-like garb keep little eyes glued to the pages, especially as they following the antics of the swashbuckling cat. Salman. A refreshingly new take on classic children’s literature!
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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.
About the Publisher: Page Street Publishing Co. publishes nearly one hundred and fifty original titles a year and is distributed by Macmillan everywhere except Canada, where Manda does the sales and PGC handles the distribution. Each year we try to help local environmental causes and donate a small portion of our profits to local charity groups, including The Trustees. We use only sustainable paper vendors and print with environmentally friendly, soy-based ink. Page Street Publishing Co. was founded in 2012 and is located just outside of Boston.
For more information, visit pagestreetpublishing.com/kids.
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Saving the Sun Virtual Book Tour Dates
| Monday, October 2, 2023 The Children’s Book ReviewA Cloud in a Jar Book Tour Kick-Off |
| Tuesday, October 3, 2023 The Fairview Review Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Wednesday, October 4, 2023 Life Is What It’s Called Author Interview with Aaron Lewis Krol |
| Thursday, October 5, 2023 A Blue Box Full of Books Book Review and Little Free Library Drop of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Friday, October 6, 2023 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Monday, October 9, 2023 Heart to Heart Author Interview with Aaron Lewis Krol |
| Tuesday, October 10, 2023 Get Outside and Read Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Wednesday, October 11, 2023 Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Thursday, October 12, 2023 My Reading Getaway Author Interview with Aaron Lewis Krol |
| Friday, October 13, 2023 Writer with Wanderlust Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Monday, October 16, 2023 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Tuesday, October 17, 2023 The Momma Spot Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Cover Lover Book Review Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Thursday, October 19, 2023 Stargirls.Magical.Tale Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Friday, October 20, 2023 Me Two Books Book Activity Paired with A Cloud in a Jar |
| Monday, October 23, 2023 One More Exclamation Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Joanna’s Bookshelf Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Wednesday, October 25, 2023 Crafty Moms Share Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Thursday, October 26, 2023 Froggy Teach Read Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Friday, October 27, 2023 Pages for Paige Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Monday, October 30, 2023 Country Mamas with Kids Book Review of A Cloud in a Jar |
| Tuesday, October 31, 2023 Q&A with Deborah Kalb Author Interview with Aaron Lewis Krol |
A sincere thank you to the author and publisher for a copy of this book. I reviewed this book in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Page Street Books.
Stephanie Ward 