by Maria Malia

Created on: April 03, 2009   Last Updated: April 08, 2009

"Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," is a modern tall tale. A tall tale is usually defined as a"humorous tale told in a straightforward, credible tone but relating absolutely impossible events or feats of the characters."

"Cloudy" deals with the mundane scientific topics of seasons and weather with comedy and humor. This parody of the seasons and their weather patterns is told about the town of Chewandswallow, where it pours orange juice and blows salt and pepper. In one of the town's biggest food disasters (flood) the residents find it a necessity to relocate to a new land; a land where food is kept in refrigerators and on shelves to be prepared in their homes everyday.

While first graders will enjoy listening to the story, it will be the more sophisticated third graders who might be able to truly appreciate the subtle humor displayed in the illustrations. "Game called on account of pie," as the football game illustration portrays might not be fully appreciated by a naive 6 year-old. Even third graders will, no doubt, miss the humor of the movie marquee, advertising "Picnic," "Breakfast at Tiffany's," and "Duck Soup." A political sign on a pole begs "Vote for Stu Pott." Perhaps this is an adult book in disguise?

This book has a designated lexile reading level of 730, which is the average lexile of a well-read fifth grader.

The author, Judi Barrett, is a practicing kindergarten art teacher from Brooklyn. She has written several other children's books, one of which is the 1997 sequel to "Cloudy" entitled "Pickles to Pittsburgh."

Ron Barrett, the illustrator (and husband to the book's author, Judi), is a former advertising art director and consultant to the Children's Television Workshop (think Sesame Street) and has collaborated on several projects with his wife, as well as with many other authors. His watercolor and pen and ink drawings are reminiscent of Maurice Sendak's famous artwork.

"Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," is coming to the big screen this fall. When a book is transformed into a movie, it is usually a sign of either an excellent literary or a commercially profitable work. In this instance, both instances apply.

This classic children's book is a staple in most American elementary and, possibly, middle school libraries. As children gain life-experience they will reach new understanding upon each reread. After exposure to this book, the evening televised weather report will, no doubt, become an item of interest to little people of all ages.

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