Frankie loves sitting by her window and looking at the clouds. She loves to listen to the melodies they create, compose tunes and conduct ideas.
But being able to see the shapes the clouds make in the sky is a gift she loves to share with others.
As we progress through the story we start to see that Frankie is unwell and needs to spend many days in hospital. But with her imagination, these days become much more amazing than they really are. Frankie sees a courageous cowgirl, children playing at the beach and a young girl riding a bicycle – all symbols of hope that one day she won’t need to be inside getting better, but outside amongst the joy of life.
The cloud conductor not only allows readers to see what life can be like for children who are in hospital for long lengths of time but also the importance of imagination and how imagination can brighten the darkest of dark days.
Positive thinking and hope shine through in this story and the important gifts we can give to others when they are feeling down – hope, joyful thoughts and imagination.
You will love reading this story to all young children and it might inspire some time to lie out in the sun and stare up at those clouds!
So what else can you do with this book?
Link to how you can help
- Learn about children’s hospitals that exist near you. Is there anyway you can help brighten the lives of the children who have to spend a lot of time in here?
- The picture book – The Silver Sea – was written in conjunction with children who were staying at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
Imagination
- What can you see in the clouds? Lie down for at least 5 minutes and talk about all of the different things you can see.
- What can you hear when you see clouds?
- Imagine the different types of music clouds would play – draw the different types of clouds and describe the types of music you hear when you see them.
- Find some music that makes you think of breezy days, stormy days and still days.
JOIN MY FACEBOOK GROUP FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS WHERE WE EXPLORE BIG ISSUES AND HOW TO BEST TALK ABOUT THEM WITH KIDS.
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