Clouds Tell Us

Sefaa’s grandmother is a walking clock, a forecaster and a shadow reader! Can Sefaa learn to interpret the sky like Grandma?“Why is everyone up so early? Sefaa asks her grandmother one morning. The village is already bustling! Sefaa discovers that the orange sunrise and tiny clouds in the sky are sure signs that it’s time to collect mudfish from the river. Grandma knows when it’s time to go to school, judging by Sefaa’s shadow, and the clouds tell her when herrings are on their way to shore. Sefaa wishes she could read the sky like Grandma, and when a storm begins to brew, she finally has the opportunity she’s been waiting for.Inspired by years spent with her grandparents in a small Ghanaian village, Yaa Serwaa Somuah’s story, vibrantly illustrated by Olivia Amoah, recalls traditional ways of knowing and the joy of passing knowledge on.Key Text FeaturesdialogueglossaryillustrationsCorrelates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.