• Age: 3 to 7
• Grade: p to 2

A memorable collection of weather sayings, beautifully arranged in story form and illustrated by renowned paper artist Elly MacKay.

Red sky at night, sailor's delight. And, the next morning, when the dew is on the grass, no rain will come to pass. These are the perfect conditions for a grandfather to take his grandchildren out on a fishing trip. Especially since, as the saying goes, when the wind is from the West, then the fishes bite the best. The family takes a boat out on the lake, fishing and swimming and eventually camping out on a nearby island, taking full advantage of the gorgeous weather. But the next day . . . red sky in the morning, sailors take warning! The family ventures back home just in time to avoid a rainstorm. But not to worry -- the more rain, the more rest. Fair weather's not always best.

Acclaimed paper artist Elly MacKay illustrates a lovely family narrative through the use of weather aphorisms, creating a beautiful and informational story which will appeal to children's timeless fascination with the natural world.

Elly MacKay creates tiny worlds from cut paper, ink and light, which she then photographs. Her work explores themes of nature, childhood and the imaginary. Elly’s work has been featured in international publications, including O: The Oprah Magazine, Chatelaine and Cosmopolitan. She grew up in a converted church in the countryside by Georgian Bay, Ontario. She now explores the same rivers, forests and beaches with her husband, Simon, and their two kids, Lily and Koen. For more information, visit www.ellymackay.com.

Elly Mackay's profile page

• Short-listed, Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award

One of New York Public Library’s Best Books for Kids 2018
One of Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Book Covers of 2018
Considered for one of Horn Book’s CaldeNott Honour Books 2019

PRAISE FOR Red Sky at Night:

"With MacKay’s dreamy cut-paper collage art featuring two siblings exploring outdoors, the old-fashioned approach to weather is oddly reassuring." --New York Times
"[T]his makes a perfect fit for primary weather units." --Starred Review, Booklist

"A curated collection of old-timey weather sayings is artfully brought to life in this exquisite informational picture book." --Starred Review, Quill & Quire

"Distinctive, luminous illustrations delight the eye." --Kirkus Reviews
"MacKay . . . once again relies on inventive, diorama-style artwork to create a moving story." --Publishers Weekly
"A wonderful resource for nature lovers and for any classroom, especially for art and science curricula." --School Library Journal
"[T]his transfixing picture book will teach something new to cloud-watchers everywhere." --BookPage

"[A] clever picture book. . . . Budding and amateur meteorologists will enjoy this title, as will Canadian adults and children alike. . . . Highly Recommended." --CM Magazine
"A memorable collection of weather sayings, beautifully arranged in story form and illustrated by renowned paper artist Elly MacKay.” --The Avidly