Lizzy and the Cloud is written and illustrated by Terry Fan and Eric Fan. They are a couple of odd ducks to start with. Talented as heck, but sometimes I just do not “get them.” They create stories that seem simple on the surface but are deeper. I am going to say there are a combination of themes in Lizzy and the Cloud which include love, taking care of pets, taking care of yourself, friendships, and death.
Lizzy is a young girl who wants to go to the fair. And unlike others, she does not want to go to the carousel, or the puppet show but wants to go to the cloud vender (a balloon vendor). Here they purchase a simple cloud. Others might think it old fashioned, or want the parrot or the rabbit one, but Lizzy wants the one she wants. Naming it Milo, taking care of it properly (watering it right, walking it) Lizzy and Milo become best friends. Until one day, Milo is too big for Lizzy’s room and really gets the grumbles.
Here is where the themes come to a head. We see that friendship and love can only go so far. We can only take care of someone for so long. And even friendships end. Even pets passed on. Or in this case “letting go” and remembering the loved one when you have a memory of them.
Yet, it could just be a silly, cute story about a girl and her pet cloud.
The signature artwork of the Fan siblings is there, yet, I had not realized it was Eric and Terry Fan if not for the fact their names are on the book. There is something just slightly unique about them, and familiar too. It is a lovely combination. There are pages with lack of color and pages that have a splash of color emphasizing that event, person, or place. There are busy pages and less busy ones. There is an energy and relaxing tone all at once.
This is not necessarily a book for children, but at the same time it is. It is not necessarily a book for adults, but at the same time it is. It is not an everyone book, but everyone could find something to enjoy.