By Greg Stobbs (author) , Greg Stobbs (illustrator)
"This uplifting inclusive fable celebrates the value and magic of neurodivergence through a wonderful little boy who can’t keep his feet on the ground — and why should he?"
Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19
View All Editions (1)
February 2025 Debut of the Month
Written and illustrated by Greg Stobbs, Cloud Boy is a soul-stirring beaut of a book that will chime with little ones who struggle to find their feet in a world that all-too often overlooks imaginative magic, and thinking differently.
While Bobby tries his very best to pay attention, he’s forever distracted from one thing to the next, and who can blame him? “Ooh, a snail! Ooh! A very smelly smell! — the world is simply full of fascinating phenomena. Bobby’s brilliant imagination also sees him ponder all manner of big questions that trigger chains of thought, and have him floating higher and higher, “the more he imagined”.
Though Bobby first thinks he wants to be like everyone else, and his friends and family rally round to help him keep his feet on the ground, it turns out that isn’t the answer. Being held back and tethered down just isn’t who Bobby is.
Radiant with empathy, the story sees Bobby’s loved ones learn that they need to “see what it’s like to be him”, rather than him always having to try to be like them. Perfectly-pitched, Cloud Boy shows how the world is a far more magical place when we take the time to truly understand one another.
When Bobby gets distracted, he starts to float. Everyone tries to help him, but there are so many sights and sounds and smells which draw his attention away from everyday things. Bobby would like to concentrate like his friends, but it's very hard, so his family and friends come up with all sorts of clever plans. But a string tied around Bobby's ankle just makes him feel empty inside.
Read the full description
In this uplifting story, Bobby's friends and family might just learn that the best way to understand Bobby to think a bit like him. A positive fable that celebrates the value of neurodivergence.
Greg Stobbs is an illustrator, street artist, and associate lecturer from the South East of the UK. He’s worked internationally on a range of projects, from installations to interactive art pieces. In 2020, Greg created the illustrated digital backdrops for the BBC’s Cbeebies Christmas Pantomime. His debut picture book, Don’t Ask the Dragon , by poet Lemn Sissay, was published in 2022. Greg likes to develop work that crosses the boundaries between fine art, street art, and children’s book illustration. Cloud Boy is Greg’s first authored book.
Books for Children and YAs that Celebrate Neurodiversity
Six Women Triumph at Inclusive Books for Children Awards 2026
Inclusive Books for Children (IBC) Award 2026 Shortlist Announced as Children's Choice Readers Begin Voting
The LoveReading4Kids Best Children's Books of the Year 2025
the best books for 5-7 year olds · the best books about starting school
When Will My Woodlouse Wake Up?
Pablo: Goodnight Pablo
When Bobby gets distracted, he starts to float. Everyone tries to help him, but there are so many sights and sounds and smells which draw his attention away from everyday things.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Cloud Boy and determined it is suitable for children aged 3-6 years old
Cloud Boy features in the following genres: Featured Books for 3+ readers, Featured Books for 5+ readers, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, PSHE: Special educational needs and disability (SEND), Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Picture storybooks, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s picture books, Children’s: picture books, activity books, early learning concepts
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Cloud Boy was written by Greg Stobbs and published by Oxford University Press an imprint of OUP OXFORD
Cloud Boy has 32 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
©PTC International Ltd T/A LoveReading is registered in England. Company number: 10193437. VAT number: 270 4538 09. Registered address: 157 Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3HP. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The National Year of Reading starts here. Join thousands of families and schools supporting reading for pleasure across the UK.