What Does the Sky Say? [Hardcover]

Nancy White Carlstrom (Author), Tim Ladwig (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

In this book a child watches the sky in changing seasons and in all kinds of weather and learns to listen to its voice. Nancy White Carlstroms imaginative and poetic text encourages readers of all ages to wake up to and participate in the opportunities for joy and learning each day offers. And Tim Ladwigs extraordinary illustrations perfectly capture the moods of weather and season, the magic of childhood, and our deep connection of all creation and its Creator.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-In this poetically written picture book, Carlstrom continues the spiritual theme that she began in Does God Know How to Tie Shoes? (Eerdmans, 1993). A little girl looks to the sky for answers about the natural world. The sky reminds her to look outside at the snow, to dance in the sunset, to smile at the sunshine after the rain, to sing in the wind, and to "Listen to this bright shining earth!" Ladwig's watercolor illustrations are breathtaking, realistic portrayals of a child full of love for life. Each picture is infused with a sense of joy and glory. While the religious foundation of the book is ambiguous, Psalm 19:1-4a, listed on the last page of the book, helps readers to see the author's inspiration: "-the skies proclaim the work of God's hands-."-Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5-7. A psalm inspires this celebration of the sky's changeability and bountiful gifts. Sparkling snow, a rainbow, a magnificent sunset, or a great harvest moon--these things "speak" to a little girl who experiences all of them and more as she moves through the pages. Ladwig's pictures depict the sky's moods in broad spreads of scenery. Most compelling, however, are his portraits of the little girl, whose face is lit with interest and enthusiasm for the world around her. A poetic appreciation of the wonders of the sky. Denise Wilms
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802852084
• ISBN-13: 978-0802852083
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,067,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nancy White Carlstrom started writing when she was seven years old and has been writing ever since. She says, "I write when I am happy and when I am sad, and especially when I celebrate God's creation. When you read This Is the Day, I hope it will cause you to look at your world and be surprised by wonder every day of the week."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Illustrations, Inspiring Text, November 20, 2001

By 

Amy (Alexandria, Vatican City State (Holy See)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Does the Sky Say? (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my niece, but my two-year-old son saw it and now I need to get a second copy. The words are a bit heavy for him yet, but he loved the pictures.

The illustrations in this book are absolutely marvelous. Swirling yellows surrounding a smiling, dancing main character and a beautiful full moon in a rich night sky are two of the illustrations that stand out in my mind. The sky is a backdrop for a little girl's activities, from learning to ride a bicycle to a quiet moment in the night. The layers-deep pictures are what caught my son's eye, but one of the things that I liked about them was that the little girl who is the main character has dark skin, but that fact is not in the least the emphasis of the illustrations or the story. The author and illustrator have made a universal story around a character who does not happen to be white. I was quite impressed.

The words are inspirational, The sky's responses encouraging a child to go out and dance or learn to ride a bike. In the end, the sky says that surely it is big enough that all of the earth's inhabitants can live under it in peace, and on the last page of the main text the reader pictures the little girl being grown up and saying, "I believe...."

The final page of the book shows the text of Psalm 19:1-4a surrounded by the little girl's paintings. This is the only direct reference to a particular religion, the remainder of the book being inspirational and spiritual without being religious. The Psalm text itself speaks of the heavens glorifying the name of God. Personally, I would not have included that text in order to be sure that readers outside the Judeo-Christian world read the book, but it is a lovely Psalm.

This is a beautiful book that children younger than four years will enjoy as well as their older siblings and that parents will enjoy reading aloud.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Takes you to a higher level and makes you feel loved . . ., June 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: What Does the Sky Say? (Hardcover)

When I first read this beautiful book, I cried -- not from sorrow, quite the opposite. WHAT DOES THE SKY SAY is extremely uplifting -- a book to touch you deep inside while it gently reminds you of the importance in the heavens. The words are pure poetry, and the illustrations are outstanding. This is a book you'll want to share repeatedly. Your child will agree.

For those who are looking for a simple book to share, WHAT DOES THE SKY SAY is a fast and easy read, but the message is life-long and powerful. Inspired by Psalm 19:1-4a (yet not overtly religious), we witness as girls look to the sky for clues in how to live life.

The sky speaks to all of us through these children and teaches us to enjoy blessings, weather storms, and embrace all that life delivers -- easily understood by the very young, yet a touching lesson for all ages.

Pure joy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Tim Ladwig's artwork is as memorable as his subject matter, May 30, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Does the Sky Say? (Hardcover)

Nancy Carlstrom's delightful, imaginative, and engaging text perfectly captures the wonder of watching the sky and listening to its many sounds both dramatic and subtle in the changing seasons and in all kinds of weather. Tim Ladwig's artwork is as memorable as his subject matter and perfectly suited capturing the imagination and attention of a child. What Does The Sky Say? is an enthusiastically recommended picturebook for family, school, and community library collections and reading lists for young, inquiring minds.