High in the Clouds [Paperback]

Paul Mccartney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2006

Imagine a land where all the animals are free...To the creatures of the woodland, the land of Animalia sounds like a dream - a tropical island where all the animals live in harmony. They are over-shadowed by a much more evil community - the polluted Megatropolis, whose dirty skyscrapers block the horizon. And then one day, Wirral the Squirrel's woodland is destroyed by developers and he is thrown into the nightmare world of Megatropolis. But Wirral believes in Animalia and he joins with Froggo, a world-class amphibian balloonist, and Wilhamina, a girl squirrel, to lead the enslaved animals of the city to a new life. So begins an exciting adventure through the mean streets of Megatropolis, over the sea and through the sky. But can Wirral defend Animalia against the wicked Gretsch, who is determined to destroy it once and for all? Developed out of an exceptional fusion of creative talents, this story explodes onto every page. The plot is fast, furious and funny; the illustrations are full of rich depth and colour; and the characters live on long after you have turned the final page. It will delight children of all ages and is sure to become an enduring classic.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4–McCartney joins the ranks of celebrity authors with his first childrens book. Wirral the squirrel sets off to find Animalia, a tropical animal sanctuary. He knows of it from his mother, who is crushed to death when bulldozers begin mowing down the Woodland. With her dying breath, she urges him to find the fabled island. His quest takes him to Megatropolis, a loud, polluted city, where he sees animals imprisoned in factories and learns of a plot to destroy Animalia. With the help of his friends Froggo and Wilhamina, Wirral finds the island and leads the animals of the Woodland and Megatropolis to a happy, if predictable, end. Ardaghs writing style and humor are evident, although some of the jokes fall flat. The cartoon illustrations resemble animation cels reduced to fit the books pages, with the result that occasionally Wirral and his friends become lost in the surrounding scenery. Due to its length and vocabulary, the book will appeal to children who are ready for long read-alouds or beginning chapter books.–Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"'Young audiences will delight in the clever wordplay and smartly - drawn comic characters.' Independent"

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Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Faber Childrens (October 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0571225020
• ISBN-13: 978-0571225026
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,909,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful., October 5, 2005

By 

Gertrude - See all my reviews

This review is from: High in the Clouds (Hardcover)

It's not going to be made into a movie anytime soon...nor do I think it will spurn a "tele" series. But I do hope Sir Paul keeps writing both songs and books.
My seven year old daughter and I purchased the book yesterday. We read it last night.
I worried since it is a picture book it might be too young for her...
Sorry Paul, I underestimated your power. She was enthralled.

The book is a great adventure...within a few pages we were drawn into it... almost immediately after meeting Wirral, the main character... he is thrust into the adult world by the sudden loss of a loved one. Wirral trying to fulfill the last wishes of his dead loved one begins a journey to find the magical world Animalia that he has been told exists only in fairy tales until his loved one tells him on her deathbed... Animalia is real!

Around the world he goes...squirrel on the run, meeting friends and discovering the world... running up trees and saving girls...protecting the planet...one small squirrel step at a time.
The drawings are wonderful and sweet.
It is Paul McCartney after all.
What else would one expect from one who constantly may be amazes me!

34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A TOUCHING, ADVENTURE FILLED TALE, November 11, 2005

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: High in the Clouds (Hardcover)

Who doesn't root for the good guys and love to see them win? Such a scenario becomes irresistible when presented by the talented trio of Paul McCartney, Geoff Dunbar, and Philip Ardagh. We understand that seeds for this book were planted when McCartney and Dunbar worked together on a film. Whatever the genesis, "High In The Clouds" is a sure winner.

Our hero is Wirral, a happy squirrel who lives in Woodland and delights in listening to his mother's stories. Mom is Sugartail, an enchanting storyteller who captivates creatures with her words. Even Froggo listens, popping in from time to time in his hot-air balloon. Yes, life couldn't get much better for Wirral decides as he glances at nearby Megatropolis, a big ugly city. Woodland is Eden to him.

Unfortunately there's trouble in Eden when Gretsch annexes Woodland and dispatches bulldozers "a nightmare of noise and destruction." The animals run in all directions, trying to escape the holocaust. Sadly, Sugartail is pinned beneath a huge tree. Her last words to Wirral are that he must find Animalia, a sanctuary where all the animals can live in freedom and safety.

A disconsolate Wirral doesn't know what to do, so he heads for Megatropolis. It is there that he meets and befriends Wilhamina, a feisty red squirrel and Ratsy, a rodent (of course) who knows his way around city streets. He even meets the evil Gretsch who destroyed his beloved Woodlands.

Out of his despair comes a plan - Wirral determines to save all animals. But, how can this be done? Therein lies this touching, adventure filled tale.

- Gail Cooke

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars His Love of Animals and Children Shines Through, October 5, 2005

By 

Alan Rockman (Upland, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: High in the Clouds (Hardcover)

Paul McCartney is no stranger to the world of Childrens Literature, but with "High in the Clouds" he has outshone his past efforts with a work that combines his love of animals and children into a breathtaking, very readable - even to the very young elementary (though not pre-school) reader. The great humanitarian and musician's (how often will we keep saying "former Beatles'"?) appreciation of animals and the warm, colorful illustrations will be a sure winner with children of all ages this holiday season.

There's even a touch of "The Yellow Submarine" towards the end of the book as Wirral Squirrel gathers a wonderous and colorful armada to succor his fellow creatures.

Sir Paul may be approaching "64" but he is still a child at heart.

Sure hope Sir Paul will do more book signings - I'd love a signed copy of this book.