Judi Barrett’s Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (1978) whimsically tells the story of an imaginary land where food falls from the sky! As is true with many of her other books, husband Ron Barrett generates dynamic and detailed illustrations that children can’t get enough of!

Narrated by a young girl, the story begins with Grandpa telling her and her brother Henry a bedtime story. In this moment, the readers are introduced to the town of Chewandswallow. Subtly, the drawings transform from black and white into full color, as the fantasy begins.

The story comically portrays the lifestyles of the residents, showing their anticipation of the weather forecast, and their reluctance of leaving the house without plates or silverware! The meals are consistent, the restaurants are roofless, and the Sanitation Department must clear the roads after every meal. Perhaps the most charming aspect of the book is the forecast descriptions of the meals, stating, “For dinner one night there were lamb chops, becoming heavy at times, with occasional ketchup.”

One day, the weather of Chewandswallow takes a turn for the worse. The next day brought nothing but overcooked broccoli, and another produced only brussel sprouts, peanut butter, and mayonnaise. One morning, a giant pancake falls on the school, so the school is closed down. After a few more unsavory incidents, the Sanitation Department gives up and the people must leave the town. They build rafts out of the giant food. After a week of sailing, the people found a new land and settle there. They had a hard time adjusting to supermarkets, though!

Cleverly written and vividly illustrated, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is sure to capture the attention of any reader. Full of fun and flight of the imagination, this book definitely inspires creativity with its ingenious originality.