This wordless picture book takes a special approach to storytelling. Using vibrant watercolors in a modern yet classic style, it depicts a young b...
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reviews
Jan 27, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it: 
See this purple foot-shaped bruise on the back of my left leg? Wanna know how I got it? Of course you do, oh imaginary people I’m talking to in my head. Yeah, I got that by kicking myself for not having a copy of The Boys by Jeff Newman on hand the other day. I will endeavor to explain. You see I was working the children’s reference desk in my library when a mother walked up to me with an interesting request. “Do you have any wordless picture books?” she asked. Do I! Merrily I skipped ba
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Feb 25, 2010
Tasha
rated it:
I only opened this book to get a feel for the sort of book it was. I was immediately captivated by the art, the wordless story. I set it down with misty eyes and a wide smile. What a book!
My problem is that I want you to discover it and I don’t want to mess any of its wonder of wordlessness up for you. I’ve tried to put words to it, but it seems to minimize the story, as if pinning it down removes the life from it. So I will briefly tell you the premise and proceed to gush abo More...
My problem is that I want you to discover it and I don’t want to mess any of its wonder of wordlessness up for you. I’ve tried to put words to it, but it seems to minimize the story, as if pinning it down removes the life from it. So I will briefly tell you the premise and proceed to gush abo More...
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(1 person liked it)
Mar 09, 2011
Sarah-Greenbeanteenqueen
rated it: 
I love this little picture book! It's a wordless picture book (the only words are the days of the week) and it's the story of one boy's week and his desire to play baseball in his new town.
The illustrations are cute, although at times felt a bit undone. (There's a bird on one page that appears to missing a head!) The storyline may be a bit hard for younger kids to follow, but with the help of adult guiding them, I think they would enjoy it. I'm not sure if kids would get the humor a More...
The illustrations are cute, although at times felt a bit undone. (There's a bird on one page that appears to missing a head!) The storyline may be a bit hard for younger kids to follow, but with the help of adult guiding them, I think they would enjoy it. I'm not sure if kids would get the humor a More...
Apr 14, 2010
babyhippoface
rated it:
I absolutely love this book. With no text other than the days of the week marking the passage of time, Jeff Newman has told a fantastic story of a shy little boy's whose inspiration comes from an unlikely source.
Day One: father and son unload a moving van. Boy unpacks his box of beloved baseball gear, then heads for the local park, where a group of kids are engaged in a lively game. He is too shy to ask for a place on the field, so he seats himself on a bench beside four older gentle More...
Day One: father and son unload a moving van. Boy unpacks his box of beloved baseball gear, then heads for the local park, where a group of kids are engaged in a lively game. He is too shy to ask for a place on the field, so he seats himself on a bench beside four older gentle More...
Jul 29, 2010
Lindsay
rated it: 
I had to read reviews of this to appreciate this book better. I loved the illustrations, but to me, a few panels were a bit confusing (and lo, this is essentially a wordless book, so understanding through illustrations is especially crucial). I appreciate it much more now that I've read reviews and have re-read the book. I feel like it might be a little tricky to use with kids young enough who might not understand the abstract aspects, but overall it really is a touching story.
Apr 11, 2010
Green Bean
rated it:
In this wordless picture book, a bashful boy works up the courage to join the other kids in a neighborhood baseball game. Thanks to the gentle nudging of a group of “old-timers” that he meets on a park bench, the boy transforms from a shy bystander to an active participant as his confidence grows. Newman deftly illustrates how the old men coax the boy to evolve with his gesture-filled character sketches paired with bold brushstrokes. No need for words.
Apr 09, 2011
Melanie
rated it:
A little boy is to shy to join the local baseball game. Instead he chooses to hang out with the older gentlemen on the sidelines. This hilariously turns out to include dressing like the older men. The gentlemen decide someone needs a little push in the right direction. So they begin to lead the little boy into common activities for young children until the boy is confident enough to join the local boys in a pick up game of baseball. Fabulous!
May 13, 2011
Jess
rated it:
I adored this nearly wordless picture book! By telling the story through the days of the week, Newman sets up the sweet tale of a little boy trying to find a way to fit in. I love that the story could take you almost anywhere that you and your little one reading it are willing to go (and therein lies the wonder and imagination in wordless picture books). I could see it going from early elementary on up--you really can make it work!
Nov 18, 2010
David
rated it:
A wordless picture book about a young boy finding the courage, with the help of some old timers, to join the game at the park. (Goodreads summary)
The Boys by Jeff Newman is an essentially wordless book, naming days of the week to indicate when action took place. The illustrations are rendered in gouache and ink and effectively tell the story through body language & facial expressions. There's a retro feel to the illustrations. The sequence where the boy is harrassed/encouraged by the More...
The Boys by Jeff Newman is an essentially wordless book, naming days of the week to indicate when action took place. The illustrations are rendered in gouache and ink and effectively tell the story through body language & facial expressions. There's a retro feel to the illustrations. The sequence where the boy is harrassed/encouraged by the More...
Oct 27, 2011
Jen
rated it:
This nearly wordless book is all about getting in the game - especially when it feels difficult to do so. I adored the simplicity of the illustrations and the use of bright colors. I'd love to read this with other people and hear what words they insert into the story.
Dec 13, 2010
Toby
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I loved the wordless story told through the retro illustrations, and especially the hilarious 'grandpas' who help our hero resolve his problem. I wonder whether kids will like it as well.
Apr 01, 2010
Kris
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Practically wordless, I love love love the old men's faces and the lengths they go to in order to help a new kid get up the gumption to join the local baseball game.
Aug 06, 2011
Colby
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I think this would be a nice book for a student feeling left out and for students doing the leaving out. Pictures speak louder than words in this book.
Jan 12, 2011
June
rated it:
A shy child wishes to join a baseball game. Some old people notice and devise a plan. I like the positive and active portrayal of the older generation.
May 21, 2010
Megan
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A shy guy would like to join a baseball game. He has a little help from the senior citizen set & they are all able to get into the game.
Jun 14, 2010
Westerville
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Becky says, "Brilliant wordless picture book in a retro style. Comedy in pictures; small details appear with repeated readings."
Jun 12, 2010
Becky
rated it:
Brilliant wordless picture book in a retro style. Comedy in pictures; small details appear with repeated readings.
Nov 07, 2010
Lesley
rated it:
Good wordless story, creative, good message. The illustrations told the story well.
Nov 26, 2010
Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)
rated it:
A beautiful, nearly wordless picture book about a young boy who through the help of some "old" boys at the park learn how to play or get involved in the game. Lovely illustrations.
Dec 07, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
This was not what I expected. I can't say I loved the illustrations, they have a certain 1970's charm to them, with a little androgynous 2010 flair. Perhaps I'm losing visual IQ points, but I didn't quite get the story clearly. If I had a child of an appropriate age I'd try this on them. That said, it was a fun story, just not my favorite.
Dec 20, 2010
Donalyn
rated it:
A boy, too shy to join the baseball game, finds courage and support from an unlikely source-- the old timers sitting on a park bench. Completely wordless (except for the days of the week-- this book will invite readers to make up their own story from the images.
Jun 01, 2011
Katie
rated it:
Reviewed in Spring Picture Book Round-Up Post #4 on 6/1/11: http://sharingsoda.blogspot.com/2011/06/...
