What a wonderful story about a cloud named Re and how they dream of becoming a big cloud. With the words of advice from another large cloud, Re sets off to collect dew and water to make themselves bigger. Along the way, Re finds a friend in a small flower. Soon, Re gets too big and begins to rain. In the end, Re is just a small drop of dew on their friend the flower, and the flower shares that no matter their size, Re is still Re.

I think the message of the story is wonderful, and an added bonus is that you can watch Re travel through the entire water cycle. I absolutely love the illustrations in this book; they’re what initially drew me to the story. I can see many caregivers and teachers picking this story off the shelf just from the cover art alone. I think this book would make a wonderful addition to any classroom.

The only improvement I would suggest is that while most pages rhyme beautifully, some of the rhymes don’t flow as nicely, and the first page doesn’t rhyme at all, which could make a read-aloud less enjoyable for little ones.

Thank you, NetGalley, Ixtzel Arreola, and Children's Fiction for providing an eARC for my honest review.

Little Cloud's Big Dream is a cute picture book with a teaching moment on how clouds become storm/rain clouds. The book contains lovely illustrations, which are the highlight of the book.

The story, to me, wasn't that fun but at least it provided some simple science about clouds for preschoolers.

Little Cloud's Big Dream was an okay read for me. Two stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

This is such a heartwarming story! I loved the illustrations and the meaning behind the plot. I think it's great to teach about rain, clouds and weather, but also about changing as a person. The rhymes give it a nice flow when reading aloud.

The idea of this is really fun. It teaches kids about how clouds are formed and the cycle of water in the atmosphere. The relationship between the cloud and the flower is simple and not distracting.

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Loved how this book shared science and a way to metaphorically process emotions and reset; beautifully told and illustrated and would be excellent for teachers, play therapists, school counselors and families.

Some stories captivate children not only with their words but with the meaningful conversations they inspire. Little Cloud's Big Dream is one of those books. This sweet tale follows the journey of a small cloud with big aspirations—to grow. Along the way, Little Cloud learns from other clouds, sparking curiosity and wonder in readers young and old.

Reading this book with my 5-year-old son Tommy was a delightful experience. The story naturally led us into conversations about rain, storms, and even the water cycle. It’s a wonderful starting point for introducing children to concepts of change and nature in a way that’s approachable and engaging, specially if they are curious. It was a great tool to start and we continued days later talking about it and watching YouTube videos about the rain. We are experiencing rainy season here in Medellín right now so it came on the right time to have these conversations.

The illustrations by Martina Liebig deserve special mention. They are both beautiful and detailed, capturing the attention of little readers. I’ve always believed that for children, illustrations are just as important as the story, and this book excels at both. The vibrant yet calming visuals perfectly complement the narrative, making it a joy to explore every page.

Little Cloud's Big Dream is not only an enjoyable story but also a tool for sparking curiosity and learning. I highly recommend it for parents and teachers looking to combine reading time and education.

This is a lovely tory about friendship and growth. The illustrations are beautiful and I live children's books with lines that rhyme. Thank you NorthSouth Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an electronic ARC from NorthSouth Books Inc. through NetGalley.
Arreola takes readers through the water cycle with a charming small cloud who yearns to be bigger. Finally, she asks a big cloud how to grow. We see her listen, learn and grow very large. She finds a friend in a flower when she takes away the dew so the flower can see. Then rain comes from her and she loses most of her moisture as a big storm. Finally, she is tiny again and the flower still reminds her she is herself no matter her size. Clever way to introduce young readers to the water cycle. The illustration are softly drawn and bring the story to life.

All in All beautiful!
In fact, it not only shows how nature circles work, it also carries our deepest spiritual truth that we all are one, constantly transforming, transmuting, becoming, but still are WE.
Truely satisfying. Hoepfully soon to be available in German!


#thankyou

Eine von Uns at Thalia

Little Cloud's Big Dream by Ixtel Arreola, illustrated by Martina Liebig, is another seemingly simple picture book from North/South Books that has the potential for not only learning about the water cycle, but digging deeper into larger concepts that can apply to humans and the changes we go through as well. The poetic words of Arrola -- complete with rhyming couplets to draw in even the earliest readers/listeners -- work wonderfully in tandem with the gorgeous, alluring artwork by Martina Liebig, This title is perfect for preschoolers through upper elementary readers, and can spur conversations on life dreams, adapting to change in ourselves and our cicumstances, helping others, and much more.

Thanks to NetGalley, North/South Books, and the author and artist for the chance to read and review this e-galley.

I feel that the illustrations in this are beautiful but some of the language feels inaccessible for the intended audience.

I thought that this was a charming children's book.

The story is about Re a little cloud, who gets bigger and bigger daily from the morning dew, and Re's worries that their friend Flower might not recognise her as they start to change shape.

The story is good, but I also liked the science behind the book and that children can learn more about the water cycle and how that works, as well as giving discussion points on looks and personality - plenty of talking points.

The illustrations in the book are lovely and bring the story to life.
One I would certainly recommend for a primary school classroom too.

It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!

An adorable book with charming illustrations that takes a look at the water cycle through the eyes of Re, the little cloud who dreams of getting bigger. Re discovers she can get bigger by collecting morning dew, but soon she gets too big and causes a huge storm. This book would be wonderful for a classroom learning about the watercycle or as a bedtime book.

Thank you to Netgalley and NorthSouth Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a really cute book on top of being educational! I read to my three year old and she was asking questions about Re, clouds, the flower, and pointed out the many creatures that feature in this book. She always loves a book that rhymes, as do I. She instantly requested a reread!

A cute story about a cloud and her way through the water cycle. My children 4yo and 6yo loved this book. The pictures were really beautiful.

The little cloud Re is small, light and inconspicuous - at first glance and carries the desire to be like the other clouds: big, strong, steadfast.

Because as light and fluffy as Re is, she is simply carried away by every wind and cannot stand up for herself and decide for herself where she wants to be.

But one day Re gathers all her courage and asks a cloud how it can get so big. Without thinking about it for long. Lo and behold, the large cloud encourages them to simply fly over water and absorb as much moisture as possible, allowing them to grow.

“Little cloud‘s big dream“, published by NordSüd in 2024, first in German and in English in March 2025, by Ixtzel Arreola and Martina Liebig, tells a story of being different and finding courage. But also about transience. Because part of the cycle of the cloud is that it cannot grow indefinitely before it dissolves into rain.

But before Re dissolves, she was able to make friends with a flower thanks to the encouraging words of the big cloud.

Die kleine Wolke Re ist klein, leicht und unscheinbar - auf den ersten Blick und trägt den Wunsch in sich so sein wie die anderen Wolken: groß, stark, standhaft.

Denn so leicht und fluffig wie Re ist, wird sie von jedem Wind einfach mitgenommen und kann nicht für sich einstehen und selbst bestimmen, wo sie sein will.

Doch eines Tages nimmt Re all ihren Mut zusammen und fragt eine Wolke, wie sie so groß werden kann. Ohne lange darüber nachzudenken. Und siehe da, die große Wolke ermutigt sie dazu, einfach über Wasser zu fliegen und so viel Feuchtigkeit aufzunehmen, die sie wachsen lässt.

„Die kleine Wolke Re“, erschienen 2024 bei NordSüd zunächst auf Deutsch und im März 2025 auf Englisch, von Ixtzel Arreola und Martina Liebig, erzählt eine Geschichte vom anders sein und Mut finden. Aber auch von der Vergänglichkeit. Denn zum Zyklus der Wolke gehört es eben auch, dass sie nicht unendlich wachsen kann ehe sie sich in regen auflöst.

Doch bevor Re sich auflöst hat sie dank der ermutigenden Worte der großen Wolke Freundschaft mit einer Blume knüpfen können.

Cute book! I thought that this book was a beautiful story that combined hard work, friendship, adventure, and education all in one short story. Re works hard so that she can be a big cloud, and she even asks for some help along the way. Additionally, she herself helps out a flower which *blossoms* into an amazing friendship. Even further, this book shows kids the "life cycle" of a cloud, and had enough detail for a little introduction to weather sciences. Lastly, the plot and illustrations were great - they were organized, fitting, and very well-done. All in all, I really enjoyed this book!
Bravo!

Follow Re the cloud as it learns to grow by lifting water from the surrounding landscape and evolves into a rain cloud. Written in rhyme, and with beautiful illustrations, this is a picture book that introduces children into the water cycle.

An adorably informative look at the water cycle through the eyes of Re, a sweet little cloud who dreams of being bigger. When she finally discovers the secret of collecting morning dew, she grows and grows, making a new friend of a pink flower along the way. But with all the dew Re collects, she's bound to spill over into rain! Even so, she finds her friend flower again and realizes that no matter what stage of the cycle she's in, she's always going to be herself.

Beautiful illustrations, a sweet message about friendship, and a very basic explanation of the water cycle.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.