Ivy and the Lonely Raincloud

Love the illustrations and paper. High quality. The story itself is not great but it’s a great looking book

Ivy & the Lonely Raincloud is a cute, low key story that preschooler/kindergarten aged kids will enjoy. It tells the story of a lonely raincloud that sets his sights on grumpy Ivy, hoping to ease his own loneliness by cheering up the sour faced little girl. His unsolicited rainy presence seems to make things even worse for Ivy, until her garden begins to flourish and a mutual friendship emerges.The best part of Ivy is the artwork. The illustrations are colorful and detailed, with a simple stylized look that invites lingering examination. The narration is straightforward and effective enough, but the story is so simple that is doesn't really invite repeated readings. The ending is happy, but it doesn't really feel all that happy because the change in tone is barely noticeable from beginning to end. I think a little more emotion could have gone into the conclusion to communicate the joy of the new friendship.Ultimately, Ivy is a sweet, nicely illustrated story that developing readers and younger kids will enjoy, though it would have benefited from a little more "happy" in the happy ending.

The paper and materials used to craft this book are wonderful. When I picked it up and ran the spine and cover through my fingers and flipped the thick, creamy pages I knew right away that this would be a keeper.It is a story about loneliness, friendship, and wanting to please. It is a pretty short read but my toddler liked it. She loved to point out everything in the book, from the ball on one page, to the cat on the roof in the other, and talk about what was going on around the main character.It is composed of watercolor paintings and colored pencil drawings and presented in an unsophisticated way. This doesn’t mean they are bad –just that they are simple and somewhat childlike. What sets them apart, however, is the level of detail and narrative in the story. I don’t mean in the words, I mean the stories in the pictures. There are signs on the wall in the shop, there are folks doing different activities as you pass them throughout the city. When you read it a second time there is a little more fleshing out than what is initially present in the very simple written narrative.This is a nice effort and I will absolutely be checking out the author’s other work.

While small children are usually not much concerned about plot in a story, I found the premise in this book to be a little too much of a stretch.It is unclear as to why the lonely raincloud didn't choose to stay with the other rainclouds, for example, or how a raincloud could rain indoors.I have found that it makes a story more interesting, even for a little ones, to have a consistent and believable story line.Apart from that, this book incorporates some excellent conversation starters to help you engage with your little one.For example, the lonely raincloud at one point says, "Being grumpy is just another way of being sad." Talking further about this concept could easily help a child express himself about underlying reasons for his own grumpiness.Other interesting things to talk about, from a child's point of view, could include discussing the subjects of loneliness, friendship and cooperation, and about why rain is necessary and useful.Katie Harnett is both writer and illustrator for this book. Her simple illustrations are colorful and expressive. A child could almost make up his own story just by looking at the pictures in this book.

I loved this little book about friendship and partnership. Two unsatisfied individuals with challenges that the other easily solves. I LOVE the illustrations. I love the subtle messages of the acceptance of diversity that is evident on almost every page. You can find it included in the background and not magnified to be the main thrust of the story. A child with biracial fathers and other images of racial and religious inclusion within the community.The text is simple and the story is one that any child can relate to: who hasn't been a grump? My four year old grand daughter is better suited to it than any of the younger children. It's one of those stories that she enjoys, but I'm sure it will come to mean different things to her as time goes by. This is a keeper and going straight into the family library.Very nicely done! I love a story where the illustrations add nuance and meaning. I like it so much I just bought a copy of Katie Harnett's  Archie Snufflekins Oliver Valentine Cupcake Tiberius Cat , which I can't wait to receive!

Stories are subjective by nature. Everyone takes away their own interpretation of a story, even if the main message remains consistent. I personally love this book for my younger girls. They are too young to read themselves so I read it to them. The quality of the book is far superior to what you usually find on the market nowadays and the artwork keeps them engaged.The story, which has a main message about loneliness and friendship, is great. It opens the door for conversations with my girls about what makes them feel lonely, why friends are important, and why it's important to treat friends well (sharing, not being rude, etc.) so they remain friends. My girls love the story and the artwork and are very receptive to conversations after we read the book. Highly recommend as all children will experience loneliness at some point.

Lovely story about friendship, feelings and helping. Beautiful illustrations

A beautiful book which my granddaughter who is called Ivy adored. Lovely pictures.

The illustrations are lovely, but there isn’t much of a story.