When Dad loses his car keys, little Mary suggests they might be down the back of the chair. Join in the fun as Dad begins the search, finding every...
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reviews
Nov 16, 2008
Kathryn
rated it: 
Not sure why I wasn't more "into" this story. It's a neat little idea, but I guess I just found the things in back of the chair too much a collection of extraordinary misc. (really, elephants having a tea party!?) but perhaps that is the charm of the tale for young readers. (Also, I thought the dad looked a bit, um, scary; channeling a bit of the look from Munch's "The Scream"--but maybe that is just me!)
Jan 24, 2012
Nathan
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Mar 29, 2011
Shannon
rated it: 
A read-aloud story about a father who's lost his car keys. A frantic search leads a child to suggest the back of the chair - from whence all wonderful and amazing lost items are found. A fun rhyming text blends with fine drawings in a funny fantasy of a simple chair's riches.
Teaching Ideas/author website:
http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Mar...
Have students write their own story for what is down the back of the chair.
Teaching Ideas/author website:
http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Mar...
Have students write their own story for what is down the back of the chair.
Jul 09, 2011
Vicki
rated it: 
One of Mahy's finest, Down the Back of the Chair humorously recounts the fortunes found by one economically-challenged family "down the back of the chair"--a refrain repeated throughout the rhyming text. Loads of new vocabulary and clever phrases like "rack and ruin" are sure to please listeners, who will also appreciate the rhythm and sounds of Mahy's interesting alliterations and non-standard, refreshing rhymes when read aloud. Dunbar's quirky drawings exude an energy and
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Jun 11, 2009
Megan
rated it:
The first time I read this I wasn't that impressed with it (some lines seemed a little forced), but the more I read it the more I like it. The illustrations by Polly Dunbar are of course so creative and I love studying them. This really is a cute book.
Aug 02, 2010
Jo
rated it:
I love this book. Well actually, my kids love this book.
It's fun, gets the imagination working, and is wonderfully illustrated. If only I had a chair like this one!
It's fun, gets the imagination working, and is wonderfully illustrated. If only I had a chair like this one!
Sep 29, 2010
Ellen
rated it:
Incredibly delightful and funny to read! A romp through absurdity. I wish I had chairs like this one!
Jan 13, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it:
more like 3.5 stars...
5/5 illustrations
3/5 story
I think the premise of the book is a little weird, and potentially scary for children (the family is facing financial ruin because the dad can't find his car keys... eeek, I lose my keys every day!) but the things that come out of the chair when he is looking for spare change are funny and clever, so the story definitely picks up. And goodness, I love Polly Dunbar. Her illustrations are a little darker in this in some ways, but More...
5/5 illustrations
3/5 story
I think the premise of the book is a little weird, and potentially scary for children (the family is facing financial ruin because the dad can't find his car keys... eeek, I lose my keys every day!) but the things that come out of the chair when he is looking for spare change are funny and clever, so the story definitely picks up. And goodness, I love Polly Dunbar. Her illustrations are a little darker in this in some ways, but More...
Aug 31, 2007
Annie
rated it:
A rollicking rhyming picture book, absolutely perfect to read aloud (audience optional). Best version - Margaret herself, although I did her Margaret and her grandson Harry recite it at the Gala Dinner commemorating Margaret's 70th birthday[http://www.storylines.org.nz/events.asp?pid=114]!
Jan 10, 2010
Dolly
rated it:
Charming story about a family who find the solution to all their troubles (and a lot of other things, too!) "Down the Back of the Chair." Strange and quirky, but a great poem that flows easily and is fun to read. Our girls have borrowed this a few times from the library.
Nov 08, 2007
Kristin
rated it:
Elaina and I read this book today and it was a great rhyming book...beyond your typical "fat, cat" stuff, and anyone who's ever cleaned out couch cushions and found amazing stuff will appreciate it (that's got to include all of us?).
Jun 06, 2008
Michelle
rated it:
Talks about how the father and two children find several things "down the back of the chair." I enjoyed how the story was written and I enjoyed the illustrations. This book was written by a New Zealand author.
Aug 23, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
Fun, ridiculously exaggerated premise; makes for an animated read-a-loud. The father illustrations are zombieish, which is off-putting and breaks from the light-heartedness of the story, but clever over-all.
Sep 08, 2008
Natalie
rated it:
I always like Pollly Dunbar's work, I'm especially fond of the lion with curly hair in this one :)
Excellent rhymes, superb illustrations, fantastic refrain.
Excellent rhymes, superb illustrations, fantastic refrain.
Feb 02, 2012
Jan 09, 2012
Jan 07, 2012
Aug 09, 2011
Aug 02, 2011
