The Boy, the Cloud and the Very Tall Tale

  • Pages:280
  • Publisher:Orca Book Publishers
  • Themes:adventure, quest, magic, grief, loss of parent
  •  
  • Available:09/12/2023
  • Lexile:710L
Ebook
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★“Wonderfully whimsical and positively poignant, Ewan’s journey to find his father and his own strength propels him across a colorful 1920s Newfoundland landscape populated with imaginative characters…Compassionately explores how grief affects children and adults alike and how to forgive the perfectly imperfect people who love us. Acclaimed author Smith delivers a rollicking, dreamlike adventure full of humor and healing.”—Booklist, starred review

Two years after the death of his mother, Ewan's father was swept away by a magical cloud.

Now Ewan lives with his little sister, Flora, his Grumple and his mischievous cat, Kipper. But something about his father's disappearance has never felt right to Ewan. He is certain his father wouldn't leave willingly. When he meets Mr. So-and-So, the owner of the mysterious Notion Shop, he is inspired to take destiny into his own hands. With his grandfather’s most reliable horse, the normally timid Ewan sets off from his home in Bucket Cove on a journey that will test his belief in himself while unraveling the secrets of his father's disappearance. When he is joined by Flora and Mr. So-and-So, he comes to understand that even grown-ups sometimes struggle to process their feelings, and that showing compassion to others is the mechanism through which we can begin to show compassion to ourselves.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

★“Wonderfully whimsical and positively poignant, Ewan’s journey to find his father and his own strength propels him across a colorful 1920s Newfoundland landscape populated with imaginative characters…Compassionately explores how grief affects children and adults alike and how to forgive the perfectly imperfect people who love us. Acclaimed author Smith delivers a rollicking, dreamlike adventure full of humor and healing.”

– Booklist

“Reminiscent of Richard Kennedy and Kate DiCamillo in its mixture of strong, somewhat eccentric fantasy elements and confrontation of sorrow...Complex and memorable.”

– Kirkus Reviews

“Ewan sets off on a journey up the coast in search of his wayward father, taking along his grumpy cat Kipper, Flora, and Mr. So-and-So, purveyor of notions...With a mixture of fantasy and mystery, touches of humor, and heartwarming love, Smith has woven themes of strength and resilience into a powerful story that will stay with readers.”

– School Library Journal

“Readers will enjoy the author’s wonderful use of vocabulary as well as her blend of humour, anguish, and action in this delightful tale. Highly recommended.”

– CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Heather Smith’s new middle-grade novel explores the topics of grief and loss in a way that is touching, tender and true…The magical elements of the story are skillfully woven into the narrative and the mystery of what truly happened to the children’s father is clever and satisfying in its resolution...Quirky and filled with whimsy, Smith’s tale is a delight.”

– Atlantic Books Today

“A poignant coming-of-age tale punctuated with whimsy, magic, and sorrow.”

– Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children’s Book News

“This humorous fantasy has plenty of tongue twisters, malapropisms, and puns, but it also deals with grief from a parental death and disappearance and the longing for a safe place to process that grief…Settle into and enjoy this clever and gentle read.”

– Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)
Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee Best Children's Books of the Year   | 2024  |  Commended
CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection   | 2024  |  Commended
Young Readers' Choice Book Awards of British Columbia (YRCABC) Red Cedar Book Awards - Fiction   | 2025  |  Nominated
Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy   | 2024  |  Short-listed