An introduction to the wondrous world of clouds, by the internationally bestselling founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society and a prize-winning children's book author and illustrator Have you ever watched a cloud being born? Clouds come in all manner of shapes and sizes. From low-lying stratus to high-flying cirrus via sun dogs and tornados, this beautifully illustrated guide reveals the facts, secrets and stories of all the major cloud types, and how they change the weather around them. We learn their fancy Latin names, explore the parts of the sky where they like to hang out, watch their amazing light shows - and even visit them on other planets, where they are made of acid (among other things). Cloudspotting for Beginners will inspire curious minds with a lifelong sense of meteorological wonder.
Gavin Pretor-Pinney Book order
Gavin Pretor-Pinney is an author focused on discovering the world around us with a keen eye for detail and hidden beauty. His work encourages readers to slow down and appreciate the essence of everyday phenomena that we often overlook. Through his writing, he cultivates a unique perspective on the world that is both insightful and uplifting.






- 2024
- 2021
Emphasizing mindfulness and observation, this interactive journal encourages daily reflection on the changing skies. It provides prompts and space for documenting clouds and weather conditions, while also inviting users to capture their thoughts and feelings. This blend of nature appreciation and personal introspection fosters a deeper connection to the environment and enhances the journaling experience.
- 2019
A Cloud a Day
- 368 pages
- 13 hours of reading
The stresses of the digital world mean that it's more important than ever to engage with the natural world. The sky is the most dramatic and evocative aspect of nature and looking up at the clouds is always good for the soul. Ever-changing and ephemeral, clouds reflect the shifting moods of the atmosphere in limitless compositions and combinations. Gavin Pretor-Pinney started the Cloud Appreciation Society in 2005. Since then, he's been encouraging people to 'look up, marvel at the ephemeral beauty, and always remember to live life with your head in the clouds.' Membership to the Society now includes over 50k cloudspotters. Together, they capture and share the most remarkable skies, from sublime thunderstorms and perfect sunsets to hilarious object shaped clouds. A Cloud A Day is a beautifully illustrated book containing 365 skies selected by the Cloud Appreciation Society. There are photographs by sky enthusiasts around the world, satellite images and photographs of clouds in space, as well as skies depicted by great artists over the centuries. The clouds are accompanied by enlightening explanations, fascinating snippets of cloud science, poetry and uplifting quotations. The perfect dip-in-and-out book for anyone who wants to de-stress and reconnect with nature, A Cloud A Day will inspire you to open your eyes to the everyday beauty above and to spend a moment each day with your head in the clouds.
- 2013
The Ukulele Handbook
- 144 pages
- 6 hours of reading
You can certainly take it from me that the inspirational Ukulele Handbook is destined to become the official new ukulele Bible. Brilliantly compiled by two uke-playing fanatics, it incorporates how-to-play instructions for beginners, chord charts, handy fingering tips, a medley of easy-to-learn songs, and the absolutely gripping history of the small, adorable, four-string mini-guitar that was born in Hawaii in 1879 ... Lavishly illustrated Val Hennessy Daily Mail
- 2011
The Wave Watcher's Companion
Ocean Waves, Stadium Waves, and All the Rest of Life's Undulations
- 338 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Embarking on a global journey, the author passionately explores various types of waves, starting from a serene beach setting to the thrilling Hawaiian surf. This book delves into an array of wave phenomena, including brain waves, radio waves, and light waves, offering a lively and insightful perspective on their significance and impact. Through engaging anecdotes and scientific insights, readers are invited to appreciate the diverse manifestations of waves in our world.
- 2011
The Wavewatcher´s Companion
- 336 pages
- 12 hours of reading
One bright February afternoon on a beach in Cornwall, Gavin Pretor-Pinney took a break from cloudspotting and started watching the waves rolling into shore. Mesmerised, he wondered where they had come from, and decided to find out. He soon realised that waves don’t just appear on the ocean, they are everywhere around us, and our lives depend on them. From the rippling beats of our hearts, to the movement of food through our digestive tracts and of signals across our brains, waves are the transport systems of our bodies. Everything we see and hear reaches us via light and sound waves, and our information age is reliant on the microwaves and infrared waves used by the telephone and internet infrastructure. From shockwaves unleashed by explosions to torsional waves that cause suspension bridges to collapse, from sonar waves that allow submarines to ‘see’ with sound to Mexican waves that sweep through stadium crowds... there were waves, it seemed, wherever Gavin looked. But what, he wondered, could they all have in common with ones we splash around in on holiday? By the time he made the ultimate surfer’s pilgrimage to Hawaii, Gavin had become a world-class wavewatcher, although he was still rubbish at surfing. And, while this fascinating, funny book may not teach you how to ride the waves, it will show you how to tune into the shapes, colours and forms of life’s many undulations.
- 2009
From the author of the bestselling THE CLOUDSPOTTER'S GUIDE comes the essential aid for everyday cloudspotting
- 2007
The Cloud Appreciation Society's Manifesto states: 'We believe that clouds are for dreamers and their contemplation benefits the soul. Indeed, all who consider the shapes they see within them will save on psychoanalysis bills.' This is a glorious collection of clouds that look like things, including dragons, skateboarders, pasta, witches and poodles. It is a proud celebration of the carefree, aimless and endlessly life-affirming pastime of cloudspotting.
- 2007
The Cloudspotter's Guide
- 320 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Generously illustrated with striking photographs and line drawings, this text reveals the facts, trivia, and history of clouds and societys fascination with them.
