View on Biblioguides
I found Sector 7 by David Wiesner at a library sale, knowing nothing about it except that it is wordless—and lately, wordless books have been capturing my attention. They require exceptional illustration to carry a story, and when done well, they invite readers into something wonderfully creative and often beautiful. This one did not disappoint.
Though I wasn’t familiar with Wiesner before picking up this book, I was immediately taken by his art. It’s not just compelling—it’s playful, elegant, and full of personality. The story begins with a charming twist of imagination: clouds, we learn, are “normal” shapes because they’ve been assigned to be that way. But one little cloud, brimming with enthusiasm, breaks the mold. It coaxes a boy from his school field trip and leads him to Sector 7—a fantastical cloud factory high above the city where clouds go to work and take the shape assigned to them.
The little cloud and his friends reveal a desire for something more fun. The boy responds with a flurry of drawings – stars, sea creatures, and other delightful shapes. The excited clouds float down to earth in their new forms, surprising and delighting the world below.
This story invites conversation, imagination, and laughter. It would be a lovely read-aloud experience for a child to narrate alongside a parent, grandparent, or sibling. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys creative storytelling and dynamic (but beautiful) illustration—especially for families, classrooms, or even for a non-reading child to enjoy during quiet time. This is a fun world that my teens and I pause to enjoy every time we re-shelve the book.
N. B. This book is on the Biblioguides Caldecott list, year 2000.