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38th out of 52 books
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60 voters
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add to my books
Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair
How much TV is too much TV? The author tackles this timely question with her trademark humor and folksy charm in this fresh and funny parable. When Eli's eccentric Aunt Chip, who refuses to own a TV, discovers that her nephew and her neighbors don't remember how to read, she pulls the plug on the whole town--using the books that have been piled high to build a dam to sprea...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
March 19th 1996
by Philomel Books
(first published 1996)
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3/25/11 ** Aunt Chip hasn't gotten out of bed in the memory of the narrator. He describes a world where books are used as doorstops and to shore up the town dam. School is taught by televisions and the adults plan their day according to the television shows. Of course the book has a happy ending with the kids learning to read from Aunt Chip and then teaching their parents to read. While the story is a rather heavy-handed treatment of the perils of television, I can't resist the message.
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Lisa Vegan
rated it
Recommends it for:
everyone who loves books & reading, and libraries; to get kids to read more & watch less tv
This story is hilarious. I seem to most enjoy Polacco’s serious books, but here’s an amusing one I really adore. It’s also bound to be touching to those of us who love books and love to read; it’s a love letter to reading & books & to librarians too.
So much is very, very funny and clever here; I won’t give any spoilers even though there were so many portions of this story I was tempted to quote. This story is about a town where the people constantly watch tv, where they’ve found all ...more
So much is very, very funny and clever here; I won’t give any spoilers even though there were so many portions of this story I was tempted to quote. This story is about a town where the people constantly watch tv, where they’ve found all ...more
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Ashley Stone
added it
When television sets were introduced to Triple Creek the libraries and schools were shut down. Books weren’t needed anymore. That’s when Aunt Chip locked herself away in her bedroom. She knew nothing good was going to come from the televisions taking the place of books. One day, her nephew, Eli, got her out of her house and she was distressed by the sights she saw. Not one book was to be seen in the town. She told the story to Eli and he decided he wanted to learn to read so she taught him...more
Some stories are true even if they might not have happened, and so it is up to the reader to decide! This is a modern fantasy about a town that watched so much television that it forgot how to read. And everyone know there are consequences for not reading . . . !
Quote to remember: "Those are words. They tell about ideas, dreams, and feelings. They take you to places far from here. They show you how to be fair and just, and sometimes show you what happens when you're not. B...more
Quote to remember: "Those are words. They tell about ideas, dreams, and feelings. They take you to places far from here. They show you how to be fair and just, and sometimes show you what happens when you're not. B...more
Abigail
rated it
Recommends it for:
Young Bibliophiles (or Those who Want to Encourage Them) / Patricia Polacco Fans
Recommended to Abigail by:
Lisa Vegan
Shelves:
patricia-polacco,
picture-books
Although the rest of the residents of the town of Triple Creek had little use for eccentric hermit Charlotte Huck (named in honor of real-life librarian and author, Charlotte S. Huck), Eli loved his "Aunt Chip," and visited her regularly. Having taken to her bed years before in protest, declaring that "there would be consequences" to the town's decision to tear down the library, in order to construct a massive TV tower, Aunt Chip lived a quiet life with her (adorable!) cats. ...more
How much TV is much TV? Triple Creek is a town that loves to watch TV. They even have pictures of their TV sets on their mantels! Eli's Aunt doesn't have a TV in her house, and she hasn't left her bed for 50 years. She decides it is time to get up, though, when she learns that Eli doesn't know that stories come from books or even what reading is. The great thing about this Polacc--book is, that it is not judgmental, it has lots of layers and it is enjoyable for both children and adults.
The story itself is not that great, yet, the illustrations make up the value of the book. There are magnificent illustrations of cats accompanied by an intriguing mix of media. My eye is drawn to the delicate pencil drawings that highlight the colorful depictions. The subject matter revolves around books so this would be a good addition to a "Librarian" story time theme. It would also be pertinent for any parent or teacher that is trying to promote the usage of books to children.
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there will be consequences, if mankind forgets how to read, and only watches tv. he will loose the world for watching it. and the children are the first to learn this new idea. they are the ones to bring the chanes to the town, that makes it so triple creek learns to read, learns to repair, and learns to renew thier lives.
I would use this book in my classroom when teaching younger students to first read. It allows them to see the purpose and importance of being literate. It would also be useful for older students who question the importance of reading.
What happens when a town stops reading and just watches tv? This is a tall tale about just that! This is a great book about books and libraries and reading.
I am a fan of Patricia Polacco and I like this book. This book is about how treasured books really are. I love fostering this idea in children.
So fun to read! A "fantasy" in that it diverges from Polacco's typical biographical topics. Kids love all the crazy nonsense in the story!
This is one of those wonderful stories that promotes the joy and value of reading. Who couldn't love a book about books?
A picture book about the importance of the library and the significant role that books play in our lives. Of course I loved it.
Fun story with a great message about the importance of reading good books!
Great message in this book. My kids were pretty spell bound by the story.
If I could give this one more than 5 stars I would.
we don't need libraries? ask Aunt Chip.
Patricia Polacco ROCKS!
Made me laugh a lot.
Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair
I Looovvee this book. I think the author's way of inspiring people to read was very imaginative. I have treasured this book ever since I got it. It is even more special to me because my copy is atographed, by Patricia Polacco. I think Patricia Polacco's way of telling her stories is what makes them so special. She even writes stories from her childhood.
I Looovvee this book. I think the author's way of inspiring people to read was very imaginative. I have treasured this book ever since I got it. It is even more special to me because my copy is atographed, by Patricia Polacco. I think Patricia Polacco's way of telling her stories is what makes them so special. She even writes stories from her childhood.
What happens when a town gets a huge TV tower? Books go out the window! Literally! And under the porch and plugginf holes in the dam and for everything else except reading! People have forgotten how to read! And the librarian has taken to her bed in protest! Such fun!
A cautionary tale about the impact of television. Great for parents to share with children. It amply illustrates what can happen if instead of living in front of the TV we get out and live life. Imagine that?
What worthy cause would make someone get out of bed after 30+ years? Reading perhaps.
"if we were meant to read, we woulda been born bein' able to do it"
"if we were meant to read, we woulda been born bein' able to do it"
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I think she wants the people who read the book to read more books.
Dolly
marked it as to-read
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