Krossing, Karen. Cloud That Stuck, The. Dorothy Leung, Illus. Charlesbridge, 04/2026. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-572-7. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Tansy is frustrated and annoyed with the cloud that hangs over her head and follows her everywhere; neither her dad nor teacher can make it go away. Even children will grasp that the cloud is a metaphor for depression, and will appreciate how she deals with her feelings by channeling them into gardening. The acrylic gouache and colored pencil illustrations depict Tansy, her dad, and teacher with brown skin and black hair; ethnicity is not spelled out. It will be useful as a discussion starter on tactics for dealing with one’s feelings and to promote social and emotional learning. The book ends with a note about acknowledging and dealing with mental illness.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool