Today I’m featuring the CLOUD PUPPY books by Kelly Leigh Miller, utterly adorable early reader graphic novels that celebrate fandoms and teach kids important messages about friendship while still being fun!
Read on for my review of the books, and then make sure you also check out the author’s list of top ten addictions to find out more about her!
Cloud Puppy by Kelly Leigh Miller Illustrator: Kelly Leigh Miller
Series: Cloud Puppy #1
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers on May 28, 2024
Genres: Chapter Book, Graphic Novel
Pages: 160
Source: The Publisher
My rating:
Narwhal and Jelly meets The Amazing World of Gumball in this first book in a delightful graphic novel chapter book series about Cloud Puppy—part puppy, part cloud, and all adorable—and her forays into friendship, adventure, and all things geeky!
Meet Cloud Puppy! Her hobbies include making rainbows, super sniffing, and, of course, reading the Pretty Princess Warrior Dragonetta series with her best friend, Berry Rose. After Cloud Puppy finds out that her favorite author will be a guest at the local comic book convention, she and Berry Rose decide to attend in homemade costumes.
But when they both insist on dressing up as the same character, Cloud Puppy and Berry Rose have their first fight ever! Now, they’re going to the convention separately. Will these feuding friends be able to make amends?
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These graphic novels are the perfect combination of fun and adorable! First off, the illustration style is so incredibly inviting. I mean, what kid can resist a puppy made of clouds? And just look at her little friends (who get their own side-stories, by the way) – I know this book was written for 6-9 year-olds, but I found the characters to be utterly irresistible, even at my age. The story is a fun celebration of fandom, as Cloud Puppy and her friends head to a convention to meet their favorite fantasy author. Kids will get a taste of what a convention is like, including all the fun of dressing up and visiting the different exhibits and panels. But Cloud Puppy also teaches kids a thing or two about conflict resolution when Cloud and her bestie can’t agree on the costumes they should wear. This leads to some uncomfortable moments in the friend group until the two figure out how to put an argument behind them. Everything about the story feels perfect for this age group!
Game On! by Kelly Leigh Miller Illustrator: Kelly Leigh Miller
Series: Cloud Puppy #2
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers on March 4, 2025
Genres: Chapter Book, Graphic Novel
Pages: 160
Source: The Publisher
My rating:
Cloud Puppy loves playing Valley of Runes, a cozy farming video game. But when Jack says that his favorite games are better, Cloud Puppy begins to feel badly about the things that she likes…until she learns that Jack has never even played Valley of Runes!
Cloud Puppy challenges her picky pal to a trade to share their favorite games. But Jack has other he thinks it will be fun to surprise Cloud Puppy with a scary simulator. But it’s his first time playing it, too, and it’s more frightening than he thought! Can the friends find a game they both enjoy without getting too spooked?
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The second Cloud Puppy book focuses on gaming and the feeling that you have to like certain things to fit in. Cloud Puppy loves a particular video game, but when her friend tells her it’s too babyish she starts to second-guess all her favorite things! This is a perfect theme for this age group, as kids are exploring new things and are often influenced by older siblings. I loved that Cloud and her friends found ways to enjoy each others’ favorites while navigating some tricky friendship issues along the way. The side-story about LARPing is also a really fun introduction to the concept – and a natural extension of kids instinct for imaginative play. Once again, the colorful illustration style and unique characters will draw kids in, and the focus on gaming will keep them entertained. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next installment has in store.
Thank you to the publisher for review copies of these books!
About the Author
Kelly Leigh Miller is an Indie Bestselling author and illustrator of Cloud Puppy and many picture books. She spent her childhood drawing and making up stories in Louisville, Ky, studied art at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD, and now resides in Chicago, IL where she illustrates and writes professionally. Her ideas usually come from daydreaming, doodling in her sketchbook, and remembering her past adventures. When she’s not drawing or writing, she enjoys reading a good book, playing video games, collecting Tamagotchis and watching scary movies!
Author Links:
Kelly Leigh Miller’s Top Ten Addictions
- Sketchbook
I usually always have a sketchbook on me. Mostly for fun doodling but it’s also where all of my book stories start.- Books
Of course I can’t live without books! Both novels and comic books/graphic novels.- Hot Beverages
Coffee, teas, hot coco, you name it! There’s just something comforting about a hot beverage.- Scary Movies
I love watching scary movies, especially in theaters where you get to hear everyone’s reactions.- Video Games
I love both single player games and multiplayer ones so I can play with friends!- Fullmetal Alchemist
I’ve recently been rewatching both shows and reading the manga. The series has been one of my favorites since I was a kid.- Dog Walks
My dog is pretty hyper and anxious so I wouldn’t say dog walks are calming really, but they are fun, and it’s a nice way to get out of the house when I’m on deadline!- Fall
It’s my favorite season! I just love the crisp air, the leaves changing, and all the spooky things that come with it.- Salmon
I know this may seem odd, but it’s been one of my favorite foods since I was a kid. Both raw sushi and cooked. I just love the way it tastes!- Tamagotchi
I loved them when I was little and when I became an adult, their designs became one of the many inspirations I used for Cloud Puppy! After discovering how many different models there are out there, I’m a casual collector of them now!
Thanks so much for sharing, Kelly! I can definitely see the Tamagotchi influence in your books. I love that!
What are your favorite early reader graphic novels? I want to know!
These look adorable! They might be good ones for me to get for my Everybody book section that my Special Ed kids check out from. Or if I get an elementary library position next year, I’ll keep these on the list to order! Thanks for sharing them.