GENRE: *Character Driven, SEL
WORDS: 462
Query:
Dear PBParty Judges, Agents, and Editors,
Cloud’s mood is doomed! When his sunny disposition dims and his stormy emotions get the best of him, a THUNDERCLOUD emerges. Cloud doesn’t want to rain on everyone’s parade, but sometimes gloomy moods don’t just blow away. His friends aren’t deterred, however, offering suggestions that help calm the chaos of his swirling emotions. With a little perseverance, and friends by his side, Cloud learns to intentionally use his five senses to bring out his bright side.
CLOUD’S STORMY MOOD comes in at 462 words (excluding back matter) filling a hybrid space of emotional regulation and empathy on the SEL bookshelf. Readers 5-8 years old can relate to the visual imagery of overwhelming emotions seen in Dark Cloud (Anna Lazowski) and appreciate the validation and processing of feelings like The Rabbit Listened (Cori Doerrfeld). Cloud’s story shines its own light in the market with its mindful use of the five senses, offering readers the personal agency they crave when internal storms start churning.
In addition to being both a human and canine physical therapist, I am actively involved in my local SCBWI chapter and the 12×12 picture book challenge. I participate in several picture book writing courses and state conferences each year to further my skills and was honored to be a 2023 PBParty finalist. When I’m not wearing my writer’s hat, I love exploring new places with my service dog, Marvel.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my work.
Excerpt:
Most days, Cloud felt bubbly, bright, and bouncy.
But not today.
Today, Cloud woke with his nimbus in knots…
and Mother Nature scolded him for being late.
Then Cloud raced his friends across the sky…
and came in last place.
Worst of all, during charades, Cloud tried for a fierce dragon…
And ended up a fluffy bunny.
Today, Cloud felt gloomy, gray, and grumpy.
So grumpy he became…
A THUNDERCLOUD!
What inspired you to write this story & what do you have in common with it:
Cloud and his mood were inspired by a conversation with my godmother, an elementary school counselor. She and I talked through some emotional regulation techniques in the context of treating one of my pediatric physical therapy patients. This child often became trapped in negative emotions, hindering her physical and mental healing. She began to thrive, however, when we integrated the five-senses method. From this experience, the idea of Cloud and his relatable emotions grabbed hold and wouldn’t let go!
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