Customer Reviews

High in the Clouds

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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!

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

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.

Ooo, I feel badly for reviewing this book this way, but... I really wasn't that impressed with High in the Clouds. I thought it was full of oversimplifications, that the characters weren't well developed, and things happened in the book because it was convenient for them to happen. From the start, I was put off - for example, Wirral's mother is killed when the bulldozers destroy the Woodland. However, amidst the mayhem and carnage, Wirral is able to get his father's old raft, put his mother on it, and then decorate it with piles of flowers? And even as this is going on, the forest is still being destroyed, with branches falling around him and others begging him to leave? Not only is the story muddled, but the artwork doesn't represent this at all.

I felt that the personalities of the characters were very much stereotyped. While the narrative has some fun asides, they often seemed to leave children out of the loop. It seems that no one settled on a particular writing style for the entire story. I really wish that more detail and revision had been put into this story - lots of the characters are very interesting, but we learn so little about them. For example, what are some of the 101 reasons that Alfredo the flea hates Gretsch? Why does Froggo have a wooden leg? And why on earth would the animals leave their children with Gretsch as a babysitter?

I really did want to enjoy this book, but I felt that it was incomplete.

It's been a hard day's night for the creatures in the Woodland!

Paul McCartney's "High in the Clouds" spreads the meaning of keeping our animal friends safe. We begin with the introduction of Wirral the Squirrel with his woodland home being destroyed. After meeting a group of very unusual friends, Wirral, Froggo, and Wilhamina are determined to find the enchanting land of Animalia, where all animals live free without a care in the world.

Knowing his music so well, I respect Paul McCartney highly. Sir Paul has done a fantastic job in children's literature, in my opinion, of spreading the importance of nature in a way using symbolism, humor, and melancholy. I recommend this book to people of all ages (me being almost 14). Maybe with new authors, our "lonely hearted" animal friends will soon have a say in the world...

As a grandmother of thirteen I bought this book to read to some of them. the two four year old boys loved it so much they begged for their own copies, and being grandma I bought it for them. I couldn't bear to give up my own copy!!!!

These three highly talented people, the Messrs. McCartney, Dunbar and Ardagh have created a delightful tale about good emerging triumphant. Paul McCartney, an avid fan of Disney, worked with Dunbar on a movie. This book is the fruit of artistic labor.

Wirral, a squirrel who shares his name with a place in England, is a happy little creature whose mother, Sugartail regales him with stories. Sugartail reels in other listeners, such as the redoubtable Froggo, who stops and drops in from his helium balloon. Wirral equates the forest to Eden and pities those who live in Megatropolis, a large, bustling city.

Gretch (yes, this is also the name of a guitar - effective humorous touch) decides to expand the city by demolishing parts of the forest. The woodland creatures run for cover. Sugartail, like Bambi Deer's mother before her, is a casualty of human greed and exploitation. She dies in the forest, pinned under a bulldozer. Her final words were to implore Wirral to find Animalia, the safe place for all animals.

Devastated at becoming orphaned, Wirral heads for the big city. He meets Wilhamina, a high spirited red squirrel, a delightful little spit fire and Ratsy, a street savvy rodent who is quite oppidian in his tastes. The animals finally meet Gretch, the one responsible for the destruction of their forest.

Wirral feels he has the ultimate plan to save the animals and get them to Animalia. As the Beatles said in "She Loves You," their 1963 classic, "you know it's up to you/I think it's only fair..." It is up to Wirral to see this plan through.

A truly delightful story that is sure to bring smiles to faces of all ages. A fun little allegory that is good for families and classes. The song "All Together Now" seems to underscore this story.

My son was given this book for Christmas. I didn't notice who it was by, just started reading it to my son, and then looked to see who the author was because it was so bad. I feel badly for Philip Ardagh because as a genuine writer of children's books, I'm sure he did what he could to make the book readable. I don't think Sir McCartney was taking many suggestions.

High in the Clouds was not what I expected when I purchased the book, and I think the title isn't exactly the best description of the curious, broadly drawn story beneath the covers. Sure, the frog and friends often travel by cool balloon, but that act is a means to an end rather than the genuine "message" of the story, which seems to be the virtue of peace, harmony, and teamwork--or at least in my opinion. After all, the closing anthem in the tale is "We All Stand Together."

This book actually caused me some mixed feelings. There were parts that I really, really liked and enjoyed, and there were parts that I questioned and / or felt confused by--missing details or enhancements that would have fleshed out the tale and characters more to my liking. So, I couldn't give the story a thumbs-up five star review, but I couldn't give it a luke-warm three star review either!

Parts I Liked:

The dedication pages contains a beautiful, peaceful forest illustration with butterflies. I enjoyed the image and textual description of Wirral the squirrel eating his acorn snacks at the beginning of the tale. I agree that acorns must be "...the crunchiest of crunchy snacks...!" LOL I loved this passage: "Dotted among the branches of the trees, like notes on sheet music, sit the Woodland creatures, all captivated by Sugartail's words. All, that is, except for Snooze the owl, who's doing what he does best in the daytime: snoring gently. It's nothing personal. He's a night bird" (Page 8). [I reckon I must be a lot like Snooze myself! :D ] I enjoyed the idea of a mythical, far-away land where all the animals lived in peace. [It's very human to think about and tell stories of such amazing places where life is good and happiness reigns--sanctuary.]

I liked and wanted to know more about the character of Ratzy, though he was sneaky. I loved the signs at the Chow Down restaurant: "No Low Flying" and "Please do not stampede!" Froggo's firecracker envelop was a creative touch--an ingenious way to summon the airborn amphibian, who seems to have something of a "Tom Baker" Doctor Who quality about him. The peaceful culture of Animalia was captivating, and the charismatic character of Chief Bison is rather intriguing. [Seems like the Animalia population loves to party! hahahaha] The message of the people of Animalia standing together in times of war as in peace time was quite striking, and perhaps, the message instills in readers the value that Freedom is precious--worth celebrating and worth protecting. [American readers will no doubt seize upon this symbolism.]

I enjoyed how the brave whales joined the island defenses like some type of animal navy. [The beach and sea illustrations are excellent.]

Parts I didn't Like and / or Was Confused By... [Missing story information?]

Seems like the peaceful "in media res" opening scene of the book is shattered far too quickly for readers, especially for those who want to know the main characters a bit more before tragedy struck. Why are the construction vehicles there...what is their purpose...what specifically are they making way for?

How does Sugartail know the reality of Animalia? Is she from there? Who is she, and why has she become the Woodland storyteller? Where is Wirral's father? What happened to him? How come he had a raft?

Why does the frog have a wooden leg? What is his occupation? Why does he travel by balloon? How did he befriend so many animals? Why did the badgers steal the knapsack and what became of it and them? How did the fat rat know to spy on the party at the Chow Down? Does he usually do this? Is the Chow Down an animal speak easy? [Never explained to satisfaction in book] How does Froggo know how to find Wilhamina? How is it that the flea knows something of computers? For that matter, how did Gretsch come to power, and how does she wield that power effectively?

Seems like Wackford and Gretsch receive light punishments for characters who were supposedly so evil--enslaving animals, killing Woodland animals, destroying lives, etc. Can true forgiveness happen that quickly--suddenly with all is right with the word?? Can Animalia paradise really support all the refugees? Is it logical that you would let your arch villain baby-sit your children?

OK I know it is supposed to be a children's book, and that we must be willing to suspend a certain amount of disbelief. However, too much missing information / too many points to question can create dissatisfaction in some readers, especially young ones who want answers. In this book, many characters seem underdeveloped and superficial. A lot is happening and the reader feels pulled in many directions. Much of the plot elements seem very convenient, timely and / or happen too quickly to maintain continued believability in the story.

Even with all the missing pieces and questions, the tale is interesting, and there are some true saving graces in the text as well as in the imagery / illustration. Not one of my favorite stories, it, nevertheless does contain some appealing elements that make the experience worthwhile, worth reading. The best way to enjoy this book is to lay aside all deep analysis and points of criticism and simply accept the story as and how it unfolds--an outrageous, magical adventure where animals talk, work in factories, fly in balloons, join together for freedom, and yearn for a better life.

The book's language (and humor) seems to lend itself to "read aloud" situations, and for these audiences, maybe all the "missing info" isn't needed or wanted. :)

This is an excellent choice. Paul McCartney is one of the best. The illustrations and writing was just awesome. His animation collection video for kids was especially good and should go along with the book. It's one of the best kids books that I've come across.