雲

Do you think the clouds floating in the sky can think? What are they thinking about?
If the clouds noticed me, could I become friends with them?
 
[Story Synopsis]
One day, a girl gazes at the clouds drifting across the sky. She realizes the clouds seem to be secretly observing her too, which sparks a series of philosophical ripples in her heart. She starts looking up at the clouds that wander across the vast landscape from time to time, whether it's a sunny day, a rainy day, dusk, or night... curious about what the clouds are thinking? How are they feeling right now? Do they share their thoughts with friends? She also wonders what she needs to do to become friends with the clouds.
 
[Book Features]
Masako Shioya's first work using oil paints, creating a unique ethereal quality with deep, moist, and transparent layers through repeated layering and wiping. The artistic style continues the light, soothing, understated, self-assured, and attentive-to-small-details approach and unique worldview seen in "The Naughty Ghost in the Attic Room" and "My Fish Friend," with a touch of playful humor at the end.
 This work has concise text, with the author using the protagonist's monologue to evoke philosophical thoughts. It also preserves space for readers to contemplate and reflect through the distance between humans and clouds, and the expansive scenic imagery, conveying a sense of serenity and healing.
 The relationship between the girl and the clouds in the book is like a friendship without ulterior motives, without needing to please each other, without many words, and without interfering in each other's lives. While seemingly loosely connected, they quietly care for each other. Perhaps maintaining a sense of distance is a more comfortable way for them to coexist, compared to constant close contact.
 
 
[Japanese Reader Responses]
"The text of 'The Cloud' perfectly outlines the sense of distance and relationship we vaguely feel between ourselves and 'clouds'... it's truly captivating. The author's drawing skills are also exceptionally refined: like the raindrops flowing down the window, her reflection (the protagonist) on the glass, and the distant rain clouds; and the beautiful blue sky and clouds on the cover. The clouds in the book seem to be contemplating something, with a profound and mysterious expression. They appear neither lonely nor joyful, not bored, and without any particular purpose, which perfectly matches the 'image of clouds' that drift with the wind. It instantly draws you into its world. This is definitely a book you'd want to keep close and cherish."
 
"Observations that anthropomorphize clouds. Just as humans look at clouds, clouds should also be looking at humans. A kite flown towards the clouds eventually hooks onto the window frame of her own house—this ending, which leaves the suspense and lingering feeling of 'Did the clouds do it?', is wonderful. The clouds depicted through oil paintings on sunny days, sunsets, nights, and stormy days, each showing different facets, are truly beautiful."
 
"Anthropomorphizing clouds. This brought forth a strange feeling I had never experienced before. The contrast between blue and white is very beautiful. Watching the clouds walking in the street reminded me of the 'Stay Puft Marshmallow Man' from the movie 'Ghostbusters.' Just like it says in the picture book, I really want to be friends with clouds. I hope it can bring me snow, snow where I can see the crystals. I also hope it can bring heavy rain, creating a rainbow like an arch bridge before my eyes. Although I already enjoy watching clouds, after reading this picture book, perhaps I will observe them more seriously than before. To become friends with them."
 
[Recommendations from Various Circles]
"The first step to 'understanding' is to dialogue with the subject. But when the subject is nature, 'understanding' then requires observation, transforming seemingly silent scenes into voiced ones, attempting to dialogue with nature from one's own perspective. Such dialogue is not about understanding the subject more, but through the subject, understanding one's own curiosity more. Through this book, with 'clouds' as the subject of observation, let's explore the curious self within us!!!"
──Associate Professor, Graduate Institute of Philosophy, National Central University | Su Tzu-Ying
 
"Turning the pages, we too, like the little girl in the story, enter Masako Shioya's magically realistic world, seemingly illusory yet real, from a huge low-angle perspective. In the visually stunning imagery, we journey with the clouds in the sky, empathize, and are amazed by the delicate, subtle, yet tight connection between us and the clouds."
──Children's Book Author / Children's Program Host | Liu Ching-Yen
 
"With quiet and humorous brushstrokes, the author makes 'The Cloud' a micro-philosophical picture book that will make you want to ponder for a long time after reading it."
──Founder of Japanese Picture Book Parent-Child Reading Club, Blueberry Mommy

 
Author Introduction
About the Author
Masako Shioya
Born in Chiba Prefecture, Japan in 1987, and raised in Saitama Prefecture. In 2014, she won the Excellence Award at the 15th Pinpoint Picture Book Contest for "The Naughty Ghost in the Attic." In 2018, she debuted as a picture book author with "Stones Falling from the Sky" (Kaiseisha), which won second place in the Newcomer Award at the 11th MOE Picture Book Store Awards. Her published works include "The Naughty Ghost in the Attic Room" and "My Fish Friend" (both distributed by Yuan-Liou Publishing), as well as "Diary of a Runaway Egg" (distributed by San Cai Publishing, which won a gold medal at the Bratislava International Biennial of Illustration - World Picture Book Original Art Exhibition). She also has "The Story the Fig Tree Told" (tentative title, BRONZE Shinsha, Japan).
 
 
About the Translator
Miyah
Writer, illustrator, and Japanese children's book translator, with a master's degree from Osaka Kyoiku University, Graduate School of Education, Japan. Representative picture books include "Billy is Sick" (San Min) and "Dorothy's Doll: The Story of Peng Mong-Hui" (Cosmic Light), and she is also the author of the chapter book "Pao Pao and Ali" (illustrated by Bacon-kun / Viking Publishing). More related information can be found on her FB page: "Miyah Walker."