Book Review: Little Cloud's Big Dream by Ixtzel Arreola

Little Cloud's Big Dream

Author: Ixtzel Arreola

Illustrator: Martina Liebig

Pub Date Mar 11 2025

Goodreads | Amazon

The little cloud Re has a BIG dream! But when she grows so large she becomes a thunderstorm, will her new friend Flower still recognize her?

A little cloud named Re wishes to grow as big as the clouds floating over the sea. She learns from a passing cloud how to collect dew and water and soon she has grown BIG! As she travels, she even soaks up some droplets from the petals of a beautiful flower and the two become fast friends. But then something happens that Re never expected–she starts to storm!

After storming across land and sea, Re grows small again and returns to Flower. At first the cloud is afraid her new friend won’t recognize her, but Flower assures her “from dew to rain to thunder, you are still you.”

An imaginative look into the water cycle through a little cloud and the feelings she experiences as she grows and changes.

My review:

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.

Thanks Netgalley for providing a copy for review.

Rating: ★★★★★