Module 2: Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs

Book Cover Image:

Book Summary:

 A grandfather tells his grandchildren a fantastical story about a town where weather comes in the form of food. This town never needs to cook or prepare food as each day food is provided through the rain, snow, wind, etc. As the grandfather continues his story, however, he adds conflict in the manner of the food growing in size and causing devastation to the town. This devastation causes the citizens to flee the town for a new home of lesser danger. This imaginative bedtime story causes the children to see weather in a new way.

APA Reference of Book:

Barrett, J. & Barrett, R. (1978). Cloudy with a chance of meatballs. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks.

Impressions:

My major impression of this book is that the illustrations are key in carrying the story of this book. The writing would not be nearly as intriguing without the illustrations to push them forward. While the word choice, sentence structure, and plot of the story is well written and excellent in its depth, the illustrations are so detailed and vivid in their depiction of emotion, action, and effects of what is going on that they truly are the most engaging part of the book. I love that they shift from black and white with the family in the beginning to color once the bedtime story begins. This is such an interesting way of setting the two stories apart. All in all, the story met with the illustrations make for an incredibly unique and imaginative story which almost any youngster would enjoy.

Professional Review:

Gr 1-3-- In the town of Chewandswallow, the citizens enjoy the bounties of the skies, and open-roofed restaurants allow diners to catch their dinner. Unfortunately, the weather takes a turn for the worse, and there is no choice but to flee from the falling food. The detailed pen-and-ink illustrations begin in black and white, but as the tale progresses, colors join the black line details. A savory story to share over and over again.

Reference: 

Gallagher, G. (2006). Cloudy with a chance of meatballs. School Library Journal, 52(7), 45. Retrieved from https://libproxy.library.unt.edu:9443/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lls&AN=21447275&scope=site

Library Uses:

This text could be used as a part of an illustration program to demonstrate how the unique form of the art within the book along with the choice of color can assist the reader in deciphering between two different story lines, concepts, or ideas. This could be used an one example within the lesson. The librarian could be bring in many different types of illustrated books and discuss with the students how they think the illustrations play a part in the story as a whole.