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The Clouds Above Kindle & comiXology

by Jordan Crane (Author, Artist) Format: Kindle Edition

4.2 18 ratings

Part of: The Clouds Above

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The Clouds Above is a rip-roaring adventure about a kid named Simon, who skips school one day with his cat, Jack. They climb a magic staircase leading skyward, encounter a sad cloud named Perch and get mixed up in a conflict involving him, some nasty storm clouds and an irritable flock of birds. Will they make back home safely in time for school tomorrow? This brilliant, full-color graphic novel doubles as a wondrous children's book, recalling such classics as Where the Wild Things Are, The Wizard of Oz and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, with its depiction of a fantastic world that lurks just around the corner from reality and that only children know exists.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Crane has made his reputation with subtle, heart-tuggingly depressive comics like The Last Lonely Saturday and Keeping Two, so his new project is a delightful surprise: a rip-roaring adventure about a kid named Simon, who skips school one day with his cat, Jack, and climbs a magic staircase leading skyward. There, they encounter a sad cloud named Perch and get mixed up in a conflict involving him, some nasty storm clouds and an irritable flock of birds. Crane's story piles absurdity on delicious absurdity, operating with the peculiarly linear logic of children's storytelling. Everything's exciting, even if it doesn't make much sense, and the dialogue is witty and bubbly ("Don't say fall when we're up so high," Jack tells Simon. "Say autumn"). Crane has a sense of all of his characters' body language—Jack may talk, but his motion and expressions are totally catlike, and the shifting expressions and indistinct, grasping limbs of the clouds are exactly what clouds would look like if they had body parts. The book is a joy to look at—Crane's loose, gliding lines burst with character, and his compositional gifts make every panel worth contemplating on its own. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From The New Yorker

After heroically escaping his beastly teacher, Simon and his cat, Jack, enter a dream world that only a child unburdened by school could conjure. Like many great adventures, this one begins with a passagewayhere a rickety staircaseto a universe situated just beyond the familiar. As Simon and Jack climb, they befriend a helpful cloud, battle heavy weather, trick a flock of belligerent birds, and question their own existence. Crane's drawings are clean, yet full of nuance; his writing is playful and sharp. The artistry is in the detail: Jack's movements are consistently catlike, and the teacher is a mangy figure surrounded by flies, an amalgam of the forces that oppose creativity and imagination.
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B06WD2JF6X
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Fantagraphics (January 1, 2008)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 2008
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 176123 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 214 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #2,743,512 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,697 in Fantagraphics Comics & Graphic Novels
- #3,677 in Children's Comics & Graphic Novels (Kindle Store)
- #8,975 in Fantasy Graphic Novels (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.2 18 ratings

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4.2 out of 5

18 global ratings

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Buckycore

Such a magical book

Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2018

Verified Purchase

I'm on a quest in trying to collect as many out of print fantagraphic books as I can. I was so lucky to have found this for such an amazing price. This is such a magical book, and if you have the need to be delighted and enchanted, get a copy if you find it online. Mine came in looking brand new. I love it

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Memgician

An Underrated Classic!

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2020

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This is a fun and imaginative graphic novel that reads like a bizarre children’s book. I adore it, and consider it an underrated classic.

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Dr. Á. Clotilde Isabeau

The Clouds Above

Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2013

Verified Purchase

This is a first Edition, in perfect condition! Need I say more? Apparently, I must!

Thank you to the seller for a wonderful ethic!

Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2005

Verified Purchase

The Clouds Above is a beautifully designed book. Jordan Crane has an original voice and an interesting approach to characters and storytelling. My only complaint would be that I read it in about tweleve minutes even though its nearly 300 pages. Recommended

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

A flight of fancy

Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2012

I don't remember where I first came across this book, but something about the description intrigued me. A young boy and his cat that skip school one day and climb a staircase to have adventures in the cloud...something about that just sounded magical and it went on my list of books to read at some point. I now wish that I had read it sooner, because it's quickly become one of my favorite books that I've read this year with its fantastic illustrations and the absolutely charming story.

Simon and his rather fat cat Jack are running a bit late for school one day. His teacher, Missus Poe, has threatened to clobber him with a phone book if he shows up late again, so he and Jack try to sneak in...but they're spotted! They quickly escape before getting clobbered and make their way to the roof where they encounter a magical staircase that takes them to the clouds. There they encounter a sad cloud named Perch, some nasty storm clouds, and a flock of birds that could use some lessons in manners (and perhaps some glasses since they keep calling Jack a dog.) Simon and Jack are off on a wild adventure like no other and before the day is done they help make a sad cloud happy, escape evil clouds, have a grand adventure and make it back to school...where perhaps Missus Poe might learn a thing or two.

To me this is just the perfect blend of whimsy and slightly dark humor to a storyline that makes it just right for all ages. The style reminds me a lot of the "Wayside School" series that I remember reading growing up and of the classic comic strip Calvin & Hobbes with that sense of daydreaming and wonder that we all have (well most of us have) growing up. That's what this story captures so well, those moments when we're bored and don't want to have to do or obey the rules of reality, but instead have a chance to let our imaginations run wild and free. Who wouldn't want to try to cheer up a sad cloud or take a staircase into the unknown? Crane's story is perfect for the young and old and everyone in between. And if you don't get at least one chuckle out of it you might need to get your pulse checked by your doctor.

I think my favorite thing about the layout of this book is that there is only one illustration per page, which just helps sell the story a bit more to me. Instead of trying to cram multiple panels on one page the reader gets to focus on the details and colors of just one panel. And what panels they are. Crane's artstyle to me is reminiscent of older style comics and illustrated books, such as Where the Wild Things Are. The design of the characters with their simplistic, yet expressive faces are easy to capture the readers attention. The color palette chosen to me is reminiscent of something from the 60's/70's with the slightly faded neutral colors. Overall excellent.

Like I mentioned above this book has quickly become one of my favorite books of the year. Everything just works absolutely perfectly and that sense of wonder, that sense of exploration is something that we can all relate to and bring hope to an otherwise boring day. I'd highly recommend this little book to everyone and it should have a spot on your bookshelf.

Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2015

A great story about Simon and his cat, Jack, and the magical adventure they embark on. Fun for children and adults.

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not happy

A lovely evening read with my little boy

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2012

I like this book as soon as I opened it. Fresh illustration and funny story. It comes from author with a kid's heart and not tainted by the "grown-up" boring world. I also like this book because there is not right or wrong judgement in the book. Kids should not simply judging things on a few rules. That will not give them the opportunity to feel and think about the things. Thank you author.

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Yakov

gorgeous -- please note:

Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2005

Verified Purchase

this book is beautiful, but:

please note that the original plans to silkscreen the covers was abandoned because of prohibitive cost.

the book is still a gorgeous object, just not silkscreened.

-y.

One person found this helpful

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Chase Middleview

Brilliant neat short story and beautifully drawn

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2010

Verified Purchase

One of my favourite comics of all time. The story is sweet and simple and the illustration is just fantastic, both detailed, in parts, and simplistic and beautiful. Jordan Crane is a master of his craft and if you love comics you should own this. Great for all ages.

One person found this helpful

Kevin Richter

FANTASTIC book!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2011

Verified Purchase

My two boys (3 and 6 year olds) LOVE this book and I really enjoy reading it to them. I can't fault it in any way, a fun, enjoyable read :)

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The Clouds Above Kindle & comiXology

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