Nothing Ever Happens ON My Block

by Ellen Raskin

As Chester sits and complains about the boring block where he lives all sorts of exciting, and even strange, things are going on behind his back.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Ellen Raskin was a writer, illustrator, and designer. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up during the Great Depression. She primarily wrote for children. She received the 1979 Newbery Medal for her 1978 book, The Westing Game.

Ms. Raskin was also an accomplished graphic artist. She designed dozens of dust jackets for books, including the first edition of Madeleine L'Engle's classic A Wrinkle in Time.

She married Dennis Flanagan, editor of Scientific American, in 1965.

Raskin died at the age of 56 on August 8, 1984, in New York City due to complications from connective tissue disease.

Reviews

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!

This story is all about what isn't being said. There is so much going on in the background with no explanation given. This type of setup is just begging for kids to use their imaginations, which I absolutely love.

This is clever, simple, and enjoyable for many ages. The one and only drawback is that the color scheme is a bit dated, but that is also one of the things that make it standout.

[Karthick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chester Filbert can see a rainbow over there, but he want to think himself as blind and act in the same way!

funny!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book for people of all ages to enjoy! It shows all the things that go on in an urban neighborhood over time. It is fun to watch the colorful progress of events over time.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illustrated by the author. Excellent use of color throughout including bold, bright illustrations. An absolutely hilarious (although in a subtle way) tale from the perspective of a very boring, pessimistic boy who claims that nothing ever happens on his block when in fact SO MANY exciting and outlandish things are going on at the same time. Perfect for reading over and over although the small details in each picture make it not very good for storytime.

Note: The previous review was from an e-copy. I ordered it in in the paper copy and it is ASTOUNDING. Not only do I have a much higher level of respect for this book, but I feel as if I got an answer to the "Are picture books just as good on an ereader?" question. The answer is NO!

[Danielle]

Early and wonderful example of visuals telling a different story than the text.

[Maria Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book! Immediately I was reminded of The Little House, and how the main image doesn’t move on the page. I love that the houses in the background and Chester remain stationary and are black and white. Then there’s all this movement of people and animals and rain that happen in color. There’s several things happening in each spread and I thought it was fun to read the book several times and “read” one color at a time. I love the message that you should keep your eyes open, and if you think a certain way and are pessimistic you can miss out. Such a fun book with lovely drawings and typography!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved this book, ever since my dad bought it for me when I was about 5 or 6.

It's a picture book about a little boy who lives on a block that 'nothing ever happens on'

It's funny because the boy talks about how boring his block is while in the illustrations, very interesting things are occurring. For example, a girl breaks her leg while jumping rope, and a few children 'ding-dong ditch' a lady's house. They lady then drops a bucket of water on the mailman's head when he comes to deliver the paper.

[Susan Menk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tags: picture book, background story, pen and ink drawings, action in color,

Comments: similar to "Rosie's Walk" in that a separate story line, which contradicts the text, takes place in the background. Illustrations are ink drawings on white background with the background action added in solid colors. Basic story is that a boy sits in the curb complaining that "nothing ever happens" while all around him is all sorts of exciting action going on.

"Nothing Ever Happens on My Block" by Ellen Raskin, published by McClelland & Stewart Ltd. 1966.

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written and illustrated by Raskin, this book provides great comic relief. The text is simple, but the illustrations give the story a whole new meaning. Although Chester seems to think his neighborhood is lacking in action, things are happening all around him. The words become ironic when mixed with the text. The illustrations also give the reader new things to look at and find each time they look at the book. Clever and amusing for children and adults.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy despairs that nothing ever happens on his block as action swirls around him. The desire for spies, haunted houses, pirates, etc. on his block causes him to be blind to the excitement that's actually going on. Funny story with interesting sequential art that requires some flipping back and forth to discover what all of the characters are doing.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have I mentioned that I love Ellen Raskin? In Nothing Ever Happens on My Block, a boy sits on his sidewalk complaining that his neighborhood is dull as we see all kinds of fabulous things happening around him. The idea is good, but the execution is where the brilliance comes in. This could be a great introduction to Ellen Raskin's picture books.

[Lisa Houck · Rating 5 out of 5]

my kids love love loved this book i bought it for my little sister it was her fav book growing up and done of mine and my sister book from the 80s i can remember finding the witch on every page and wondering what would happen to the house and seeing my kids do the same thing brought back do many memory's i cant believe how hard it was to find

[Steve Wehling · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites from when I was very young. This kid sits on the curb complaining about how nothing ever happens, but in the background there is a whole bunch of stuff going on if he would just turn around and open his eyes.

[Abby Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for children in your class who keep saying they are bored. You can provide them with a different view point. This book tells children that they are the ones who are choosing to be bored. It's up to them to have a good time and a good attitude.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story about a boy complaining about how boring his block is while all around him a multitude of fascinating things are happening. A little reminiscent of And To Say That I Saw It On Mulberry Street (my favorite Dr. Seuss book) but in reverse.

[Anna]

a fun story about a boy who doesnt think anything happens on his block, but while he is telling us his tale, a bunch of interesting pictures in the background happen that allow children to become involved with the story.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny and ironic picture book, where the story told by a little boy has nothing whatsoever in common with the reality the picture describes. The illustrations can be explored over and over, so much is going on.

[Jenny Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about a little boy who complains on and on how boring his block is while beautiful illustrations in the background display comical events happening all around him. Illustrator: Ellen Raskin

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy sits on the curb and bemoans that nothing ever happens when the illustrations beg to differ with him: Fires, thieves, a ding-dong ditch game, even a sky diver.

Starts out in black and white illustrations and as things begin to happen, colors are added to highlight them. Works well.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

GREAT BOOK!! GREAT PICTURES!

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

all the things that can happen when you are not looking

[Tana · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books from childhood. My grandmother read this to me every chance she had:)

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very visually funny.

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uniquely colored pictures. A picture book in which the words definitely need pictures. Chester just needs to turn around!

[Ashley Kohls · Rating 3 out of 5]

A child thinks that nothing ever happens on their block. The words don't explain the entire story, look closely at the pictures!

[Luke Herbst · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chester thinks nothing ever happens on his block. If he would only look around he would see all sorts of stuff going on. Written by Ellen Raskin.

[Lizzy Lan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The boy grumbles and complains that nothing ever happens on his block, yet he is oblivious to the fact that there are a lot of things happening on his block.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Chester Filbert sits glumly on the curbstone in front of his house bemoaning the lack of excitement in his life, he fails to see the numerous amusing and dramatic events going on around him".

[Angel Marie Jacoby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just picked up this little gem from my local library's book sale. What a warm childhood memory! This picture book is rather clever. And I loved her designs and impactful use of color. Raskin was truly a masterful writer and artist.

[Wetdryvac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting line drawings, but assumes lead character's an idiot, as nearly as I can tell.

*shrugs*

Not my thing, but nifty art.