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“The tender water-colour and crayon illustrations in pastel tints serve as a lovely counterpoint to the text. The view from above of the ambulance with its bright headlights driving into the night and of the boy sobbing in his mother’s arms are especially affecting. Purchase to build or refresh a collection of age-appropriate books dealing with death.”

—School Library Journal

When the Clouds Came

Written by Sarah Yi-Mei Tsiang
Illustrated by Elaine Chen
Published by Orca Book Publishers

The sky likes to be sunny so people can have fun outside—like the boy and his grandmother as they plant seeds.

It does its best to contain the clouds and rain so the boy and his grandma can have a picnic together, eating bao. Or do Tai Chi, or play mahjong in the park. But his grandma hasn’t been well lately. And the sky isn’t sure it can hold the clouds back anymore…like when the ambulance comes. And then when Grandma doesn’t come home.

It rains and rains, and everyone goes indoors, including the boy and his family, who are devastated by the grandmother’s death. The sky sees the boy has rain inside him too, and encourages him to let it out. The boy cries and cries, and his mother holds him. But we see that eventually, just like the rain, his tears stop. The streets have been washed clean and the plants are blooming. His grandma has a special place on their family’s altar, which includes flowers from the garden they planted together, showing she will live on in their home and hearts forever.

Primary ISBN: 9781459841680
Publication Date: March 2026
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 03 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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