In his Caldecott acceptance speech for GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, Allen Say told of his difficulty in separating his dreams from reality. For him this ...
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Aug 14, 2010
Lobstergirl
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A young man with artistic aspirations becomes a billboard painter but gets tired of painting the same ad over and over. He'd like to be painting landscapes and such. Then he finds something strange in the desert that forces him to wonder if dreams are achievable. Those familiar with Edward Hopper will notice that the first illustration has a backdrop of Early Sunday Morning, and the last illustration, Nighthawks, without the customers. I wondered if the other illustrations had similar inspir
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(2 people liked it)
Jan 27, 2009
Snorkle
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I love Allen Say's illustrations, they are beautifully drawn, with a richness that seems to come alive off the page. Normally I enjoy his stories and am pulled into their world, but this book was a little different. I wasn't moved while reading it. And I'm not sure if child would get it, I think they would enjoy looking at the pictures and the reader would enjoy telling the story. I would probably recommend.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009/01... More...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009/01... More...
Feb 01, 2010
Kristin
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I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I feel as though Allen Say has a really deep message in his stories. This book is about a boy who wants to paint and receives a job as a painter. He is tempted to paint what he likes, but the man persuades him not to. The story ends with the man and the boy finding the source to their billboards that they paint. I liked the story and the illustrations were beautiful, but I'm just not sure where the story was going.
Jun 11, 2009
Lesley
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I think this story is very insteresting and thought provoking, and the illustrations add to the "eeriness" (the word I'm looking for?) of the story. Sometimes you have go for practical when you're searching for your dreams, but sometimes the dream part happens along the way. Meanwhile, did the painter have anything to do with the storm?
I love roller coasters, by the way, so I was surprised to find one in this story. :)
I love roller coasters, by the way, so I was surprised to find one in this story. :)
Jul 13, 2011
Melody
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The best thing about this book is the last page. It's a lovely homage <spoiler> to Edward Hopper, and shows the famous diner, empty </spoiler>. I did enjoy the illustrations very much, but the text was muddy, and not particularly child-friendly, I think. I know it wouldn't have gone 3 pages before my own kid would have pushed it out of my hands and clamored for something else.
Aug 21, 2010
Miriam
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A young man gets off a bus in a strange town and finds a job painting advertisements. But he considers himself a real artist and finds his work somewhat boring. However, he still goes ahead and paints the same ad over and over on a series of giant billboards in the desert. I'm not sure what the point of this story is, but I liked the pictures. I don't know if most kids would enjoy it.
Aug 10, 2011
Mimi
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Very abstract, surreal, symbolic imagery and allegory - little of which my 7th and 8th grade students would appreciate much less "understand", but still very haunting, almost mystical story and illustrations.
Apr 06, 2011
Shaeley
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A starving young artist takes a job painting billboard signs. For the longest time, thoough, he doesn't even know what the billboard advertises. Then he finds out "that dreams come in all sizes."
Aug 31, 2011
Sarah
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The Sign Painter by Allen Say is a semi-autobiographical picture book. When he was sixteen the author worked as a sign painter.
Here the story is about a boy (presumably Say) and the man (presumably his teacher). They start in the city but get a contract to paint billboards along an American highway. From the picturesque mesa filled landscape, it's probably route 66 or similar.
The artwork sucked me. It's one of those books with a striking cover and equally striking artwork More...
Here the story is about a boy (presumably Say) and the man (presumably his teacher). They start in the city but get a contract to paint billboards along an American highway. From the picturesque mesa filled landscape, it's probably route 66 or similar.
The artwork sucked me. It's one of those books with a striking cover and equally striking artwork More...
Sep 09, 2009
Kay
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I read this book and I was left scratching my head. I don't think my kids got it either. Beautiful illustrations.
Jan 29, 2011
Angie
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I didn't like this book as well as other Say works. The plot had definite holes.
Aug 21, 2011
Jul 11, 2011
Jul 11, 2011
Jun 07, 2011
