Cloud Making Friends

Reach for this book when your child feels like they are on the outside looking in, perhaps after a move or a difficult day at school where they felt misunderstood. This gentle chapter book follows Cloud, a character who feels distinct from the crowd and is searching for a place to belong. It masterfully addresses the quiet ache of loneliness and the slow, rewarding process of finding friends who appreciate you for exactly who you are. While the setting is whimsical and light, the emotional core is deeply grounded in the social realities of the elementary years. It normalizes the feeling of being 'different' and offers a blueprint for building self-confidence. Parents will appreciate the humor and the way the story encourages children to remain curious and kind even when they feel shy or excluded. It is an ideal read-aloud for ages 6 to 8 or an independent read for 9-year-olds who enjoy character-driven fantasy.