Tansy’s cloud grew bigger. It changed color. It rained on her.

“Stop that!” she shouted.

It couldn’t stop. Clouds are made to rain.

“I hate clouds!” Tansy screamed.

When Tansy’s cloud flashed and rumbled, she hid inside a blanket fort. She forgot what sunshine felt like. She forgot what dry socks felt like. All she knew was rain.

“It’s not fair! Why me?” Tansy sniffled.

When Tansy’s dad saw the rain, he gave her an umbrella, rubber boots, and a raincoat.

“That helps—a little,” she said.

Illustration: Dorothy Leung.

Karen Krossing is the author of many books for young readers, including picture books Sour Cakes and One Tiny Bubble and novels Monster vs. Boy, Bog, and Cut the Lights. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and regularly teaches writing workshops.

Dorothy Leung is the illustrator of several books for children, including The Keeper of Stars and The Never-ending Sweater. 

l to r: Karen Krossing (Credit: Helen Tansey) and Dorothy Leung.

The Cloud That Stuck. Text copyright © 2026 by Karen Krossing. Illustrations copyright © 2026 by Dorothy Leung. Used with permission by Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. 

The Cloud That Stuck publishes on April 14.