Cloudy Day Sunny Day (Green Light Readers: All Levels)
Green Light Readers Level 1 Series
on Goodreads (68)
What’s inside...
Whether the day is cloudy or sunny, it provides lots of opportunities for fun and entertainment. The day is gray and cloudy, making it a good day to snuggle up with a book or engage in make-believe, until the sun bursts through the clouds, creating the perfect conditions to fly a kite or ride a bike. Every new day, regardless of the weather, offers a chance to stretch, explore, and enjoy familiar activities with family, keeping everyone busy and happy from sunrise to bedtime. Donald Crews, a Caldecott Honor recipient, celebrates these everyday joys.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What differences did you notice between the cloudy day and the sunny day in the book?
How do you think the weather affects the way the characters feel and behave?
What activities would you like to do on a sunny day versus a cloudy day?
Can you think of a time when the weather changed your plans? How did you feel?
What colors would you use to draw a cloudy day and a sunny day?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, relate experiences with different weather conditions to personal family stories to make the conversation more relatable.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about different weathers by asking them how they feel during a sunny day versus a cloudy day.
Invite your child to imagine and describe an ideal sunny day or a cozy cloudy day, enhancing their creative thinking.
Consider reading the book near a window where the weather outside can be observed, linking the story directly to real-life examples.
After discussing the book, engage in an activity that matches the weather of the day, like drawing for a cloudy day or a small outdoor picnic for a sunny day, to make the book's themes more tangible.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Change
Explanation: The book juxtaposes a cloudy day with a sunny day, showing that both types of days are natural and important.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and adapt to changes in weather, mood, or circumstances in life, understanding that changes are part of everyday life.
Example Lesson: Observation Skills
Explanation: Through the detailed illustrations of different weather conditions, children are encouraged to observe and note the differences between a cloudy and sunny day.
Real-World Application: This can help children enhance their observational skills by noticing and discussing various aspects of the environment around them.
Example Lesson: Optimism
Explanation: The story's movement from a cloudy to a sunny day can symbolize hope and positivity, demonstrating that good times can follow bad ones.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to remain hopeful and positive even during difficult times, knowing that good moments may be just around the corner.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Nature
Explanation: The book’s focus on weather invites discussions about the natural world and its diverse elements.
Real-World Application: This lesson can foster a deeper appreciation for nature, encouraging children to explore and respect their natural surroundings.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: Waiting for the transition from a cloudy to a sunny day represents patience.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by learning to wait patiently for changes or enjoyable moments, understanding that some things are worth waiting for.