Michael CatchpoolRecensioner

SuperJoe Does NOT Do Cuddles is a lovely children's picture book!

This read is awesome for many reasons:
1. Superheroes! Who doesn't love a good superhero book?
2. A book all about hugs and when we do not appreciate it.
3. Wonderfully designed illustrations that give it a unique look and feel.
4. Diversity!
5. A fun and playful story that is super engaging and fun to read.

Overall, this is a delightful book! I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lantana Publishing for providing me with a free book in exchange of an honest review.

Imposible mover a un hipopótamo si él no quiere hacerlo, y esto es una verdad indiscutible. Y entonces, ¿Cómo rayos van a hacer los animales de la selva para que este perezoso hipopótamo se mueva del puente? Un león, un mono y un jabalí le dan ordenes, tratan de empujarlo y lanzarlo fuera del puente… ¡pero es un ratoncito quien tiene la clave para mover al hipopótamo! Una encantadora historia sobre bondades de los buenos modales.

A moving story highlighting the power of happy memories to help come to terms with the loss of a loved one.

A boy has a magical power to weave clothing out of the clouds. The greedy King is quite jealous and demands he make him scarves, robes and gowns. The boy uses up all the clouds in the sky and no more rain falls. The princess sneaks the garments out at night and the boy returns them to the sky. The crops are saved when rain falls again. This is a great book in fairy tale form to teach about the environment and conservation. The illustrations are interesting because they appear to be aged and cracked, like a fresco in an old chapel.

I thought that this book was very interesting and entertaining to read. The plot of this book is well organized, following a clear story and conflict. Catchpool did a great job of developing the characters so that they fit into their roles in the plot/conflict. For example, it is explained that the boy weaving cloth from the clouds was taught to only take what was needed from the clouds and not a stitch more. This is an important part of the character because it justifies his hesitation to weave the King clothes when demanded to. The plot of this book also flows naturally into the bigger picture and moral of the story; to only take what is needed, do not succumb to greed.

I enjoyed reading this book. I didn't know what it was going to be about or how elaborate the story was going to be, so I was pleasantly surprised after reading. I think that this book is suitable for 1st and 2nd graders.

I thought that the story was very good and not to hard for students to grasp. There wasn't a lot of large vocabulary words, but it also wasn't filled with simple sentences. I liked it because it also makes students think about their own lives and how they decide between making right/wrong choices. I say this because in the book, this young boy is able to turn the clouds into soft material to turn into a few articles of clothing. He wears his cloud scarf to town when the king requests that he make him a cloud scarf as well. The young boy tells the king that his mother told him to only use what he needed and no more than that, but the king insisted, so the young boy made the scarf. Then the king becomes very greedy and requests he makes gowns and cloaks for him and his royal family. The boy is hesitant again, remembering what his mother taught him, but in the end makes all of the clothes and uses up all the clouds in the sky. After he uses all the clouds, he knows that he made a wrong choice and shouldn't have listened to the king. So after hearing this story, students might feel challenged to think about their life and what kinds of choices they make when faced with demands and pressure. I also like the story because of the main message with I think had to do with not being greedy/making the right choices. After the young boy uses up all the clouds, the princess notices the harm that is coming to the kingdom due to her father's greediness. So she decides to take all the cloaks and gowns back to the young boy to see if he can fix the problem. She understands that it was wrong of her father to be so greedy and wants to reconcile for it. After finishing the book, I felt that the reader would reflect on their life and think about things they may be unnecessarily greedy about, like maybe a child wanting every toy to themselves and never sharing or donating any toys to other children. But again, overall enjoyed the story and illustrations.

The Cloud Spinner tells the story of a young boy who can weave cloth from the clouds. He would spin them different colors as the day moved from morning to afternoon to evening. One day, a king demands that he makes him a scarf, and then a cloak and dresses. However, this uses up the clouds and the land becomes dry to the lack of rain. The princess sneaks the young boy the clouds back, and he puts the clouds back in the sky, bringing the rain back.

The illustrations were made with alkyd paint and crackle varnish on think cartridge paper.

GENRE: Fairy Tale (it contains a magical character who can weave cloth from the clouds) and some fable elements although the moral is not explicitly stated.

USES:
- discuss consequences of greed
- connect to a science study about clouds and the water cycle

43 months - this is very much a short fairytale or fable that is beautifully illustrated.

This book was very interesting. It reminded me of a fairytale. The illustrations were all cracked and faded which was cool because I had never seen that before. The characters were all large and oversized compared to the scenery. The story was about a boy who made clouds every day for the kingdom he lived in. He lived on top of a hill and used this golden material that was fluffy and beautiful. One day, he went into town and the King saw that the boy was wearing a golden scarf that he had made for himself- so of course the King wanted one! Every time the King yelled the print in the book became bold. Soon, the King wanted more and more clothing articles from the Cloud Spinner- but the more the boy made for the King the less clouds there were in the sky. There was no rain eventually, until the Princess brought back all of the clothing items to the Cloud Spinner so he could keep making the clouds again for the Kingdom. It was a nice story, and there was a phrase that was repeated over and over again that referred to the boy which read "his mother had taught him well". I wasn't expecting the story to end this way and I thought it was good because there was a set plot to the book which I enjoyed.

This book was very cute! Such a sweet story about a boy that spins clouds into clothing, but the King gets greedy and has him spin clothes for him and his family. The village then runs out of rain, because all of the clouds have been spun into clothes. Thankfully the princess returns all of the clothing to produce rain again and save the village. It is such a great story about not using up all of the natural resources our planet has. The illustrations were beautifully done and very whimsical.

I love this book! The message of how important it is to reserve resources and take care of our environment is delivered beautifully. The illustrations are riveting and detailed, and add so much to the story. The boy’s character is evolved, and the reader struggles along with him to decide what is write. The princess turns out to be much more than just beautiful, and the reader falls in love with her by the end. The language is clear and descriptive, especially when talking about what the cloud clothes look like. The plot is organized and is full of conflict and resolution. The conflict of how much to make, and then how to get the rain back all emphasizes the message behind the story. This book is my favorite so far, and is the best combination of teaching and entertaining.

A wonderful book with beautiful illustrations! The cloud spinner can spin clouds into a shawl to keep him warm, but the King demands an entire robe made of clouds. This causes changes and problems in the weather.This book portrays how greed and consumerism can lead to greater problems for the world. It can be used in the classroom to discuss topics of greed, sharing and using natural resources wisely.

I liked this fable with its ancient feel and a moral of conservation/moderation. "Enough is enough and not one stitch more" reminded us of [b:A Fish Out of Water|899608|A Fish Out of Water|Helen Palmer Geisel|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320551686s/899608.jpg|728902] and "so much, and no more". Of course, [b:The Lorax|7784|The Lorax|Dr. Seuss|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327879938s/7784.jpg|886002] also comes to mind, or another one we just finished reading: [b:Extra Yarn|12065943|Extra Yarn|Mac Barnett|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1354631041s/12065943.jpg|17033359]. The unique illustrations give the story a very special character and look. True, they're in the exact same peculiar, comforting style as [a:Alison Jay's|13615|Alison Jay|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66-251a730d696018971ef4a443cdeaae05.jpg] other [b:Picture This...|7498050|Picture This...|Alison Jay|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347354237s/7498050.jpg|817671], [b:Farm Families|14489277|Farm Families|Alison Jay|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355492149s/14489277.jpg|20131831] and [b:Listen, Listen|1305921|Listen, Listen|Phillis Gershator|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347428818s/1305921.jpg|1295164] , although I didn't like Listen, Listen half as much. My son and I really liked the added touch of having the round hills take the shape of a face, faces the expression of which changed as the story carried along.

A young boy with the ability to spin clouds into thread, and to make the most beautiful fabric from that thread, finds that it is difficult to keep to his mother's maxim - "Enough is enough and not one stitch more" - in this lovely picture-book from English author and illustrator Michael Catchpool and Alison Jay. Ordered by the king to produce a scarf fit for royalty, and then dresses for the ladies of the palace, the boy must do as he is told, although he continually cautions that it is not wise to produce something that is not needed. His words prove prophetic when his spinning depletes the clouds in the sky, leading to drought and hunger in the land. Only the silent princess, of all the royals, understands what is happening, and takes steps to redress the damage her father has done to the world.

An original fairy-tale with a lesson to impart about using resources wisely, and not consuming just for the sake of consumption, The Cloud Spinner is never overwhelmed by its didactic purpose, offering an engaging narrative that stands well on its own, as a story. The artwork, done by Alison Jay in alkyd paint on thick cartridge paper, with crackle varnish to give an antique look, is vibrant and appealing. I liked the use of color, and the quirkiness of some of the human depictions, particularly the roly-poly king. All in all, The Cloud Spinner was a sweet and engaging little tale, one that can be used to spark discussions about greed, over-consumption and respect for the natural world with young people, or just enjoyed as a simple story.

One small boy has a special gift—he can weave cloth from the clouds: gold in the early morning with the rising sun, white in the afternoon, and crimson in the evening. He spins just enough cloth for a warm scarf. But when the king sees the boy's magnificent cloth, he demands cloaks and gowns galore. "It would not be wise," the boy protests. "Your majesty does not need them!" But spin he must—and soon the world around him begins to change.

Review: This book is about a giant hippo who is taking a nap on a nice sunny bridge. A lion comes and wants to cross the bridge but the hippo is in the way. The parrot warned him that he will not be able to move him. The lion did not believe the parrot, so the lion yelled at the hippo to move but the hippo did not move. A monkey comes and wants to cross the bridge too. The parrot warns the monkey and lion that the hippo will not move but they don't believe him so they try pushing the lion off the bridge but he does not move. A warthog comes and wants to cross the bridge but the hippo is in the way. The parrot warns them for a third time that the hippo will not move. They do not listen so they decide to jump on the bridge. When they jump on the bridge the hippo flies into the air and lands on the bridge and flings the other animals straight into the river. A little mouse comes and tells the other animals that he will get the hippo to move. He walks up to the hippo and quietly whispers in his ear "Please!" and the hippo moves.

Genre: Modern Fantasy
Genre Critique: The book is a fantasy book because the characters in the story have human like characteristics. The animals can talk to each and they can think and have feelings. Also in the story all the different animals get along. In real life different animals would not get along like this because some of the animals are predators to each other.

HooOOOooowwllll. Who is making that noise and why? All the young critters are anxious to find out and all the old critters have their own answer to add to "why?" This story of an unlikely friendship is sure to bring smiles to young ones. This story is great for introducing nocturnal and diurnal animals. For example, the squirrels should be asleep while the owls are awake. At the end of the story the children can participate in listing the nocturnal animals and diurnal animals that are mentioned throughout the story.

I really liked this book. It teaches children about the use of natural resources, in a different way, and the consequences of what could happen if they're gone. It conveys a great moral; only take what you need and no more. It makes children consider things like greed and our consumption of natural resources. The illustrations are captivating and add to the emotional layers of the story, Great book!

This is a story about the use of natural resources and the consequences, which sounds heavy for a children's book but it is done in an understandable and relate-able way. The illustrations are beautifully done and cleaver.

Old fashion fairytale with a modern message. Loved the illustrations especially the fat king dancing with his new scarf. I don't blame the king for his greed - I want one of those scarves too!

You Can’t Move a Hippo!
By: Michael Catchpool

Summary: This story is about a lion, monkey, warthog, and parrot trying to get a sleeping hippo, which is blocking a bridge, to move out of their way. They try to order, push, and bounce him off. None of their tactics work. Then along comes a mouse who whispers “Please!” into the hippo’s ear. The hippo yawned, stretched and got up. And he and the mouse wandered off across the bridge side-by-side.

Personal Reflection: My son and I love this book! It has a great message and wonderful illustrations. Each page looks like an animated painting.

Classroom Extension Ideas: This book is a great way to teach children that in order to get what you want from someone you should always be polite. I would talk to my students about the power and importance of manners.

Its a book about a little boy who can't stand all the love he sees around him. So he leaves home to find a place where there isn't any love. He goes to the forest, the sea and outer space but all he finds is love. Finally he goes to an island all by himself. While he's there he begins to feel lonely. At one point he falls in the water and a hand helps him up. It was a little girl who helped him. He found a friend and also found love. Its not necessarily a book I would use in a lesson plan but to just simply read aloud and demonstrate that love is important.

Very funny! Uses very descriptive language!

One bear follows one bee, but instead of honey, he finds trouble.