Blue Floats Away

What the Story is About

Blue is a small iceberg who lives with his parents in the quiet, frozen world of the North Pole. One day, he floats away - by accident. And from there, his journey begins.

He melts, drifts through warm waters, rises into the sky, and eventually returns home - not as an iceberg, but as a cloud.

It’s a simple and tender story. On one level, it introduces children to the water cycle. On another, it gently explores what it means to grow, to change, and to return - changed, but still yourself.

A Gentle Note to the Teacher

Before you begin, take a moment to consider: do your students know what an iceberg is?

For many children in tropical or rural parts of the world, the idea of an iceberg might be completely new. They may not have seen snow or oceans filled with floating ice.

A simple way to help: share a photo, a short video, or even just a story about what icebergs are. You could bring in an ice cube and ask, “What do you think happens when this melts?” That little bit of context can help children connect more meaningfully to Blue’s journey.

Where Science Meets SEL

At the heart of Blue’s journey is the water cycle - melting, evaporation, condensation, and return. The story illustrates this scientific process beautifully and truthfully.

But there’s also something more.

Blue’s changes are not just physical - they’re emotional. He floats away from home, experiences new places, transforms, and returns. This mirrors how children grow and change - whether it’s starting school, facing a challenge, or moving to a new place.

This book gently shows that change doesn’t mean losing yourself. It means becoming more.

Why This Book Matters in the Classroom

Children often experience change - sometimes big, sometimes quiet. Blue’s story offers a way to talk about that. Not as something to fear, but something to understand and grow through.

Blue doesn’t resist what’s happening. He floats, he melts, he rises - and he returns. There’s something comforting in that. A reminder that we can change, and still belong.

A Word on the Illustrations

Grant Snider’s artwork is calm and poetic. There’s a lot of space - big skies, open seas, simple shapes. The changing blues reflect not just water, but emotion. You might find that children sit quietly with these pages, noticing the way feeling is shown more through color than through words.

Let them linger. Sometimes, what isn’t said in a picture speaks the loudest.

Let the Conversation Begin – Discussion Prompts

For ages 5–7:

• Where do you think Blue went?

• How do you think Blue felt when he was floating away?

• Have you ever been somewhere new? What helped you feel okay?

For ages 8–9:

• Blue melts and becomes a cloud. Is he still the same Blue?

• Have you ever changed in a small or big way? What stayed the same about you?

• Why do you think Blue came back?

Let the children guide the discussion. Their interpretations might surprise you.

Ideas to Explore the Book

1. The Water Cycle – With Emotions
Have children draw Blue’s journey as a cycle: iceberg → water → vapor → cloud. At each stage, ask: How do you think Blue felt here?

2. Cloud Letters
Invite children to write a short letter or draw a picture from Blue as a cloud. What would he want to tell his parents about his journey?

3. Movement Story
Turn Blue’s journey into a movement activity. Children can “float,” “melt,” “rise,” and “fall.” Let them act out each stage of the transformation.

4. Connect to Real Science
Use this story as a bridge into exploring the water cycle. A glass of ice water, a warm spoon, or a foggy mirror can all become tools for making the science come alive.

For You, the Teacher

Sometimes, we look for books that both teach and touch the heart. This one does both - quietly, and with great care.

It’s not about pushing a lesson. It’s about opening a window. And through that window, children might see something of themselves - especially those navigating their own small (or big) changes.

You don’t need to guide the story tightly. Let it drift a little. Float with your students through the conversation. There’s space here - for wonder, for science, for feeling.