Kumo, meaning cloud in Japanese, does not want to be seen. She fears being criticized or pointed at. But clouds should be seen, especially because besides doing the important work of providing rain and shade, clouds can heal a young person’s concerns about being small through becoming a focus for dreaming. Written for children ages 4 - 8, Kumo: the Bashful Cloud is a truly delightful read.

Kumo’s creator Kyo Maclear allows the cloud to find friends and allay her own fears, conditions important especially for young children. Natalie Dion’s colorful, impressionistic illustrations, filled with soft and calming shapes, are a second option for young readers’ dreamy thoughts. An excellent selection for adults reading to children and young readers alike.

Quiet, thoughtful, and lovely picture book following the adventures and feelings of a small cloud named Kumo. We need contemplative books like this, along with the noisy and energetic ones. A true gem!

Kumo is a bashful little cloud called upon to do cloud duty one day. She does *not* feel up to the task but sets out bravely nonetheless. After some false starts she gradually gathers confidence and makes some friends along the way. A gentle tale gorgeously illustrated by Nathalie Dion in pastel hues, it offers reassurance to the bashful amongst us.

'Kumo: The Bashful Cloud' by Kyo Maclear with illustrations by Nathalie Dion is a picture book about a bashful cloud (kumo means cloud in Japanese).

Kumo would prefer to remain unseen until she is assigned cloud duty. Her self-doubt starts her day badly, but Kumo pulls herself together and does cloud things (rain, shelter, etc.), and even makes a friend along the way.

This was a lovely story of being bashful and overcoming it. The illustrations are also really nice.

This adorable picture book is about Kumo, who worries that he is too small to be a good cloud. But he gets a chance to move out on his own and finds he chart his own path.

I thought that this was an enjoyable book

The story was easy to follow and it was really nicely written

I loved the images that were used to bring the story to life

It is four stars from me for this one – highly recommended!

Soft, dreamy visuals accompany the story of Kumo the cloud, who must find her confidence and fly alone above cities and forests. Kumo travels far, seeing many things, including a boy by himself, imagining shapes in the clouds above him.

It's a beautiful, sweet little story.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC in exchange for my review.

This is a very sweet little book with charming illustrations that both adults and children will appreciate. When I review a picture book, I always consider the possibilities for conversation that it holds and Kumo has both words and visual cues that will encourage questions from little ones and prompts from adults.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

This was a beautiful picture book with gorgeous illustrations, that definitely has the potential to be a classic. We're following Kumo the bashful cloud, who one day has to take over the duties of some of the bigger clouds in the sky. Despite his hesitations and anxiety, Kumo finds new friends and a new confidence. I though this was a really nice message portrayed in a beautiful way and I'd definitely recommend this book for a wide range of readers.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced ebook copy of this title!

Representation: 10
Story: 10
Illustration: 10

Kumo – The Bashful Cloud is a beautiful picture book. Not only are the illustrations stunning, the text simple to read to and by children, and a very relatable main character, Kumo lends itself to many different areas of learning: Math, Language, Social-Emotional Skills, Art, and Science.

It is a book that will be read many times over. I am excited to purchase it for my classroom.

** Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review. **

"Kumo: The Bashful Cloud" is a nice bedtime picture book. Kumo is a shy cloud who gets to explore the world and fly over different landscapes. This books is perfect for the very young, babies and toddlers.

Kumo the Bashful Cloud was a cute picture book that takes you on an adventure with a little cloud doing cloud duty on her own. You get to see what she sees and experience all of her emotions throughout the day. The descriptions gave me a calm feeling while I was reading. I would recommend this book to my students.

I can relate to this cloud, as I was a shy child myself! A beautiful message about the adventures and friends that await you when you come out of your shell, and realize that putting yourself out there is not as bad as it seems ;) My favorite part is the beautiful illustrations!

Kumo is a shy cloud that likes to be noticed but when the day she's assigned to cloud duty. To me, this is a beautiful metaphor for those who try to get out of their shell and live in the world and experiment with different things and journeys. There is beauty and love, fear but also imagination.
Beautiful illustrations with an elegant serene traditional style. My favorite page is the one in which the text makes an inverted triangle and fits well in the design of the page. A story told by a daydreamer who sees wonderful shapes in clouds.
Love the Japanese touch on the characters' names and that you can find more info on the pronunciation and meaning at the end of the book.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the chance to give my honest review.

<I>A traveling cloud with a job to do
and a whole world to visit.</i>

A beautiful story illustrated with an art that feels magical ✨

Soft pastel hues and delicate art carries this ephemeral picture book about learning to be brave, explore the world around you, and meet the people you’re surrounded by. This was very charming and sweet, and I had a fun time reading this emotional and sweet book.

I really enjoyed the dreamy illustrations and slow, almost meditative pace of this picture book. Kumo is a shy cloud who doesn't like being the center of attention, but she learns to enjoy her experience, and even makes a few cloud friends. I'm not sure if 'Kumo' would hold my first grader's attention, but I'm sure more introspective children would relish this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

I love the art!
This children's book would be a great bedtime read as it takes readers through a sweet, exciting, but calm adventure with Kumo the bashful cloud. I didn't love the wording of "overcoming shyness" in the book description as I don't think shyness should be portrayed as a negative thing and I don't think that's what this story is about. I think the story is about Kumo slowly finding clarity about who she is and becoming confident in her own being.
And the art in this book is adorable.

This is a story following a day with a shy cloud named Kumo. I enjoyed following her adventures and was rooting for her throughout the story. I would recommend it to younger readers.

This is an adorable book by Kyo Maclear! Thank you to the author and publisher for a free copy in exhange for an honest review!

This follows the adventurous day of Kumo, a small cloud that just wants to laze and float happily unseen. On this adventurous day, Kumo is the only cloud available for cloud duty!

The illustrations are full and dreamy, and the story itself is beautiful, and has a richness about it. There isn't a true main goal, rather we're just taking a moment of peace to follow Kumo throughout their day.

Loved this simple, sweet story!