I've been wanting to reread this ever since I saw the trailer for the movie they are making based on this book. Like many movies based on picture book...moreI've been wanting to reread this ever since I saw the trailer for the movie they are making based on this book. Like many movies based on picture books, though, it looks like they are adding quite a lot of additional detail to the story. I just hope they stay true to the idea of the book, which is that there is a town called Chewandswallow where they get their food from the weather instead of a grocery store.
The idea is fun, but the illustrations are the best part of the book. Of course giant food is always hilarious, but probably my favorite illustration has the lady caught in the tomato tornado sitting in her easy chair reading Gone with the Wind. :)(less)
Amazing illustrations paired with a very exciting story! I liked it a lot. Great for those students who still want a picture book, but are ready for s...moreAmazing illustrations paired with a very exciting story! I liked it a lot. Great for those students who still want a picture book, but are ready for something a little longer and more complex.(less)
Ha! Until I read this, I didn't remember that I already know this story. I think someone in one of my children's literature classes must have read it...moreHa! Until I read this, I didn't remember that I already know this story. I think someone in one of my children's literature classes must have read it aloud to the class because I immediately knew what was going to happen. I must not have gotten a good look at most of the illustrations, though, because they weren't familiar to me. And these are not pictures that you would soon forget once having seen them!
And speaking of the illustrations, wow! Wacky, messy, interesting, eye-catching, and completely perfect for the story. I especially love the wolves. I think this is a book where both the text and the illustrations are so complementary to each other that they add up to more than the sum of their parts. If I just think of the story, or just look at the illustrations, I really don't care for either of them. But together, they add up to a very unique picture book that I like a lot.(less)
Is this a precursor to Imogene's Antlers? It also reminded me of some of the Bill Peet books - although this came before many of those as well. A boy...moreIs this a precursor to Imogene's Antlers? It also reminded me of some of the Bill Peet books - although this came before many of those as well. A boy imagines what it would be like to have duck feet, then two horns, a whale spout, a long tail, an elephant nose, and then all five at once. This would work great for a reader's theater. I particularly loved the ending!(less)
This isn't quite up there with Make Way for Ducklings or Blueberries for Sal as far as the story goes, but I loved the illustrations. Made me want to...moreThis isn't quite up there with Make Way for Ducklings or Blueberries for Sal as far as the story goes, but I loved the illustrations. Made me want to visit Maine for the summer! My favorite picture was the group of kids jumping off a giant rock.(less)
Peter and his friend Archie find some old motorcycle goggles, but then have to outwit some bullies who try to steal the goggles. So far no other Ezra...morePeter and his friend Archie find some old motorcycle goggles, but then have to outwit some bullies who try to steal the goggles. So far no other Ezra Jack Keats book is as magical for me as The Snowy Day. Of course reading these books for the first time as an adult just isn't the same as rereading a beloved book from your childhood. The illustrations here are textured and interesting in a very good way. This definitely deserves its Caldecott honor.(less)
I didn't like this one much at all. I thought the illustrations were just okay, the text was a bit sparse with too much of it in a tedious handwritten...moreI didn't like this one much at all. I thought the illustrations were just okay, the text was a bit sparse with too much of it in a tedious handwritten cursive. I don't feel like I learned much about Galileo that I didn't already know.(less)
This one makes me cry every time. A great one for helping children deal with the loss of a family member. You can read even more about Nana Upstairs (...moreThis one makes me cry every time. A great one for helping children deal with the loss of a family member. You can read even more about Nana Upstairs (and a funny story about the mints) in dePaola's book 26 Fairmount Avenue.(less)
I had read "The Sneetches" before, but not the other stories in this book. Clearly the Sneetches are the star here. (Ha! The pun was unintentional, bu...moreI had read "The Sneetches" before, but not the other stories in this book. Clearly the Sneetches are the star here. (Ha! The pun was unintentional, but it did make me laugh when I noticed it.) The Sneetches is one of the Dr. Seuss stories I've used as a readers' theater for my library classes. I really like the lesson it teaches. The other stories are strange, end abruptly, and are not memorable at all - except maybe "What was I scared of?" which I think could have been the inspiration for The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything. :)
So that I will know for sure later that I read the other stories in this book, I've written a "moral" for each one:
The Sneetches: "Just because you have a star on your belly doesn't mean you are better than those who don't." OR "Don't listen to that con-man; he's making money from your insecurities!"
The Zax: "Being stubborn can be very inconvenient for you and for those who have to build a road over you."
Too Many Daves: "Thinking of strange names for your children after you've already named them 'Dave' doesn't do you any good."
What was I scared of: "Don't be afraid of empty pants. They are really quite friendly."(less)
I had to read this several times before I liked it. The text in this one is actually a distraction from the real story that is happening in the illust...moreI had to read this several times before I liked it. The text in this one is actually a distraction from the real story that is happening in the illustrations. Once I got it, I loved it and had to read it yet again! I especially love Albert's horse June - who kicks back with him in the evenings, sitting on the couch watching TV with curlers in her hair!(less)
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