Fun Is in the Air (Step Into Reading Level 2: Misty the Cloud)

PreS-Gr 2--Meteorologist Dreyer brings her charming character, Misty the Cloud, back in a beginning reader. On a hot summer day, Clare and her mom abandon their picnic and venture to the beach to beat the heat. When Clare asks her mom why the beach is so much cooler, she explains the science behind updrafts. Clare imagines that the clouds are having a great time with the breeze--and they are! Up in the sky, Misty and her friends are enjoying their time at the carnival riding rides and eating snacks. The day ends with Clare and her mom taking a selfie on the beach. Little do they know that the clouds above are doing the same thing! This beginning reader features colorful characters and busy illustrations, with a large serif font that little readers can easily isolate. Occasional novel vocabulary words, such as "mare" and "anvil," may be challenging; there is no glossary or other back matter to help independent readers gain confidence in their comprehension of the story. VERDICT The connection of Misty's story with Clare's is a bit of a stretch, but the short sentences and large font are excellent for beginning readers.--Ellen Kleber