THE CLOUD BOOK

Though de Paola's intent is broader than Niizaka's (p. 844, J-274), his semi-informational treatment is far closer to the free, associative spirit Niizaka tried so resolutely to inspire. Without getting into anything as heavy as the water cycle, de Paola does name and describe a number of different kinds of clouds, and mentions along the way how people in different cultures have viewed or interpreted them. With a little knowledge, a little fun, a lot of playful pictures and comparisons, this Cloud Book sort of changes form as it drifts on by. . . as painlessly as those cumulus ""cauli-flowers"" that help pass a fair day.