What do you think?
Yard Sale
“While the topic of moving is covered in a multitude of picture books, this one looks at it from a difficult perspective that most authors choose to avoid or gloss over.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
Almost everything Callie’s family owns is in their front yard — their furniture, their potted flowers, even Callie’s bike. They can’t stay in this house and are moving to a smaller apartment where most of their things won’t fit, so today they are having a yard sale. With sensitivity and grace, Eve Bunting and Lauren Castillo portray an event at once familiar and difficult, making clear that a home isn’t about what you have, but whom you hold close.
Almost everything Callie’s family owns is in their front yard — their furniture, their potted flowers, even Callie’s bike. They can’t stay in this house and are moving to a smaller apartment where most of their things won’t fit, so today they are having a yard sale. With sensitivity and grace, Eve Bunting and Lauren Castillo portray an event at once familiar and difficult, making clear that a home isn’t about what you have, but whom you hold close.
32 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2015
About the author
Eve Bunting
334 books413 followersAlso known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.
Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 365 reviews
May 10, 2015
YIKES! This was flipping awful! Yes the art was lovely, but my goodness, what a downer! As far as I can tell, it's about a family who is foreclosing on their home and forcing their child to sell pretty much all of her things for about 50 cents at the world's most depressing yard sale on record, including HER BIKE!!!! which she does NOT want to sell. This poor child watches helplessly as her lame parents practically give HER BIKE away for next to nothing. They say there isn't anywhere for her to ride it at their new apartment. Hey Pops, how about throwing the bike in the trunk and taking the kid to a park then? Geesh! This is not a kids' book. It's a book for parents about how NOT to move their child to a new place. Just for starters, do not sell their bike. Be good parents and find a place for your kid to ride that bike and enjoy nature and exercise. What a lame book. Oh, and be sure not to miss the creepiest yard sale granny in history towards the end of the story. Two thumbs WAY down for this one. Just atrocious.
September 22, 2019
Both sweet and also a trifle but necessarily bitter (and all the boo birds flapping their wings and squawking that somehow the author is supporting poor parenting with her story, yes they sure do make me laugh out loud and groan), Yard Sale really does with both Eve Bunting’s presented text and Lauren Castillo’s accompanying artwork powerfully yet gently, as well as delightfully realistically demonstrate how having to sell family possessions (prior to relocating to a smaller domicile) can be traumatic for a young child, actually for anyone. And yes, while I did at first rather chafe at the parents also selling their young daughter’s cherished bicycle at their yard sale, considering that the family is moving to a very small apartment unit with no sidewalk, aside from there obviously being no room to store Callie’s bike, it would of course also be much much too dangerous for her to even consider bicycling if there is only a busy street and no sidewalk (which naturally though does not take away from the fact that Callie is upset, and that in particular having to give up her bicycle is indeed really and truly galling, even if it is necessary).
However, to and for me, while Yard Sale certainly and realistically shows and depicts Callie’s pain and sadness because of her family having to move and sell everything (including also having to say goodbye to her best friend Sara), the deep down core of Eve Bunting’s words does still shine brightly and glowingly with a first and foremost totally positive and optimistic message of confidence and hope, namely that while material possessions are nice, are useful, they are nevertheless just objects and as such not as important and as essential as love and family togetherness, so that yes and according to Callie and her parents, the main and most important things they are bringing to their new apartment are they themselves as a family unit and not any material objects. Four stars for Eve Bunting’s in its core positive and optimistic narrative, but indeed, I am going to be rounding Yard Sale down to a high three star average rating. For while I have generally found Lauren Castillo’s illustrations both a realistic and delightfully emotional accompanying mirror to and for Eve Bunting’s printed words, on an entirely personal level, I do tend to find it rather strange and even possibly a tad creepy that the little old lady who asks Callie whether she is also for sale looks so totally and utterly like the grandmother from Lauren Castillo’s Nana in the City.
However, to and for me, while Yard Sale certainly and realistically shows and depicts Callie’s pain and sadness because of her family having to move and sell everything (including also having to say goodbye to her best friend Sara), the deep down core of Eve Bunting’s words does still shine brightly and glowingly with a first and foremost totally positive and optimistic message of confidence and hope, namely that while material possessions are nice, are useful, they are nevertheless just objects and as such not as important and as essential as love and family togetherness, so that yes and according to Callie and her parents, the main and most important things they are bringing to their new apartment are they themselves as a family unit and not any material objects. Four stars for Eve Bunting’s in its core positive and optimistic narrative, but indeed, I am going to be rounding Yard Sale down to a high three star average rating. For while I have generally found Lauren Castillo’s illustrations both a realistic and delightfully emotional accompanying mirror to and for Eve Bunting’s printed words, on an entirely personal level, I do tend to find it rather strange and even possibly a tad creepy that the little old lady who asks Callie whether she is also for sale looks so totally and utterly like the grandmother from Lauren Castillo’s Nana in the City.
April 29, 2015
And there you go. I often find Eve Bunting's issue-oriented books to be kind of lugubriously heavy-handed. I mean, we just HAD riots in Baltimore, and STILL I find Smoky Night needlessly alarming. STILL I would not recommend it to a parent. One Green Apple, in which a recent immigrant to America learns that she can blend in on a school trip to a cider mill, boasts an unusually violent metaphor for assimilation - a CIDER PRESS.
I assumed Yard Sale was a book about a yard sale - right up until a friendly yard sale customer buys little Callie's bike and puts it in her truck. "Oh Callie!" says dad. "We told you, sweetie. We have no place to keep it. And there's no sidewalk outside. Just a street with lots of traffic."
Oh my god they're going to go live on a traffic median. After their adorable single family detached home with the slate roof and the round gable window has been foreclosed upon!
Listen, man. I have had friends who lost their houses while their children were little, and there was no need to menace the kid's bicycle as part of the conversation.
Full review on unadulterated.us: http://www.unadulterated.us/pink-me/2...
I assumed Yard Sale was a book about a yard sale - right up until a friendly yard sale customer buys little Callie's bike and puts it in her truck. "Oh Callie!" says dad. "We told you, sweetie. We have no place to keep it. And there's no sidewalk outside. Just a street with lots of traffic."
Oh my god they're going to go live on a traffic median. After their adorable single family detached home with the slate roof and the round gable window has been foreclosed upon!
Listen, man. I have had friends who lost their houses while their children were little, and there was no need to menace the kid's bicycle as part of the conversation.
Full review on unadulterated.us: http://www.unadulterated.us/pink-me/2...
May 30, 2019
Callie is confused and unhappy at the fact that her parents are selling so many of her family's belongings in a yard sale, in preparation for a move from their house to a much smaller apartment in the city. As she tells her friend Sara, it has something to do with money, but that's all she knows. Grieved at parting with so many beloved belongings, from her bedstead to her bike, Callie is truly frightened when an old lady asks, jokingly, whether she too is for sale. Surely her parents would never get rid of her...?
I have seen Yard Sale criticized in online reviews, both for being depressing and for modeling poor parenting, because Callie's parents sell her bike. For my part, I have to disagree: I think it presents a true-to-life story, one in which a loving family is facing unavoidable financial hardship, and is doing the best they can to cope with the situation. As the narrative makes plain, the most important thing is that this family is going to stick together. It's unfortunate that they have to give up their house, and that Callie must give up her bike, but that happens sometimes. When I was younger, my own family had to move to smaller quarters, and my mother was forced to sell quite a few things, including the piano that had been in our family for generations. My sister, who played piano, was quite distressed, but it was what it was. I can't help but feel that the people who object to this book on that score must come from very privileged backgrounds, where real sacrifice has never been necessary. Leaving that aside, I really liked the way that Eve Bunting draws out Callie's growing distress, her gradual feeling that if these cherished childhood items can be dispensed with, then so can she. The reassurance offered by her parents at the end, that they would never part with her, is all the sweeter. The ink and watercolor artwork by Lauren Castillo is really quite lovely, capturing Callie's changing expressions nicely. A sweet story about an un-sweet reality, this is one I'd recommend to anyone looking for children's stories that address financial setbacks and hardship in a gentle and reassuring way.
I have seen Yard Sale criticized in online reviews, both for being depressing and for modeling poor parenting, because Callie's parents sell her bike. For my part, I have to disagree: I think it presents a true-to-life story, one in which a loving family is facing unavoidable financial hardship, and is doing the best they can to cope with the situation. As the narrative makes plain, the most important thing is that this family is going to stick together. It's unfortunate that they have to give up their house, and that Callie must give up her bike, but that happens sometimes. When I was younger, my own family had to move to smaller quarters, and my mother was forced to sell quite a few things, including the piano that had been in our family for generations. My sister, who played piano, was quite distressed, but it was what it was. I can't help but feel that the people who object to this book on that score must come from very privileged backgrounds, where real sacrifice has never been necessary. Leaving that aside, I really liked the way that Eve Bunting draws out Callie's growing distress, her gradual feeling that if these cherished childhood items can be dispensed with, then so can she. The reassurance offered by her parents at the end, that they would never part with her, is all the sweeter. The ink and watercolor artwork by Lauren Castillo is really quite lovely, capturing Callie's changing expressions nicely. A sweet story about an un-sweet reality, this is one I'd recommend to anyone looking for children's stories that address financial setbacks and hardship in a gentle and reassuring way.
April 16, 2015
Yikes. While I understand that this is an idea that is relevant now, I now feel TOTALLY depressed after reading it (despite the positive words on the last page). Poor frightened little girl character who acts in an unrealistically adult fashion at the end. Poor adult characters who don't engage in a meaningful way to address the situation. Poor creepy woman at yard sale who was just being funny and ended up being a creeper instead.
Just poor, pitiful, DEPRESSING book. Let me go curl up in a ball now and cry.
Just poor, pitiful, DEPRESSING book. Let me go curl up in a ball now and cry.
June 9, 2015
I don't even know what to make of Yard Sale; who was the audience for which it was intended? I can't imagine reading it to a young child who might freak out over the possibility of losing their home and precious bike (for $5!?!?!?! Seriously parents! Find room for the darn bike!).
Apparently, the message behind this story is that people are more precious than possessions. That's true and that's great! But the message I'm taking away from it is "keep your kid in the dark about major life changes because they, eventually, will roll with the punches". Perhaps that is true for some, but not for all.
You know those episodes of Hoarders wherein Dr. Zasio, Mark Pfeffer, et al. try to pinpoint why the Hoarder is hoarding? The majority of the time these behaviours stem from some form of loss. Whether that be the loss of a loved one, an empty nest, or some childhood event in which some evil parent/caregiver takes something(s) of value away from a child. I wonder if there will be a sequel, Yard Sale: My Addiction and Recovery of Yard Sale Hoarding (Yard Sale #2) By: Eve Bunting
Apparently, the message behind this story is that people are more precious than possessions. That's true and that's great! But the message I'm taking away from it is "keep your kid in the dark about major life changes because they, eventually, will roll with the punches". Perhaps that is true for some, but not for all.
You know those episodes of Hoarders wherein Dr. Zasio, Mark Pfeffer, et al. try to pinpoint why the Hoarder is hoarding? The majority of the time these behaviours stem from some form of loss. Whether that be the loss of a loved one, an empty nest, or some childhood event in which some evil parent/caregiver takes something(s) of value away from a child. I wonder if there will be a sequel, Yard Sale: My Addiction and Recovery of Yard Sale Hoarding (Yard Sale #2) By: Eve Bunting
September 1, 2015
How do you explain to children that you need to move because you can't afford to stay where you are? Well, maybe you don't give the kids the details, but they overhear and become frightened easily in this kind of situation. Maybe this book can be a bit reassuring - especially over things like downsizing, changing location, and where they fit into all of this.
This book gave me a lump in my throat as I read it. The emotions of the situation were explored gently and without oversharing in a way that would distress children. Yet, at the same time gave enough so that a child could identify with the main character and maybe find reassurance about their place in their own family.
I hate that books like this are necessary but am glad that they exist for the families that need them. Eve Bunting handles difficult situations with grace, and remains one of my favorite children's authors simply because of titles of this nature.
This book gave me a lump in my throat as I read it. The emotions of the situation were explored gently and without oversharing in a way that would distress children. Yet, at the same time gave enough so that a child could identify with the main character and maybe find reassurance about their place in their own family.
I hate that books like this are necessary but am glad that they exist for the families that need them. Eve Bunting handles difficult situations with grace, and remains one of my favorite children's authors simply because of titles of this nature.
June 1, 2015
When I first heard about this book, I was so very excited. So many of my all time favourite picture books have been written by Eve Bunting. So many of the books I have loved lately have been illustrated by Lauren Castillo. A book with their combined talents? What could be better? Well, that is a loaded question. Certainly not much could be better. But, I should have anticipated that this amazing talent combined would also mean a whole lot of emotion captured in a picture book experience. Eve Bunting tells such important and raw stories. Lauren Castillo's illustrations have a charming, nostalgic, open feel. This book slowly, gently, beautifully delivers. It managed to knock me over by the time I reached the back cover. Full of love, connection and a child's need for security, this is a beautiful, important book.
November 25, 2014
Callie's family is moving from their house into a small apartment, so they are having a yard sale. It's a bright sunny day but Callie is filled with mixed feelings as she sees all of the parts of their lives out in the front yard for sale. Callie has visited their new apartment and seen where she will sleep. It's even a cool bed that pulls out of the wall. But she is going to miss her friends in the neighborhood and doesn't really understand why they have to move except that it has to do with money. When Callie sees her red bicycle being purchased by someone she gets upset and then when a friendly woman asks if Callie herself is for sale, Callie gets alarmed. In the end after the sale in their almost-empty house, Callie and her family look forward to a fresh start together as a family.
Bunting beautifully and sensitively captures the mixed feelings of moving and the additional burden of being forced to downsize due to financial reasons. She shows from Callie's point of view how upsetting it can be. At the same time, she shows supportive parents who work with Callie to discuss her feelings and validate her emotions. The yard sale is a strong image to have at the heart of the book, demonstrating the loss of so many items of property but at the same time strengthening the image of the family who is left strong and resilient.
Castillo has created a neighborhood of friendly people, bright balloons and lots of sunshine that works very nicely here. The deep feelings expressed by the protagonist play against the dazzling day and the contrast makes the emotions all the more real. The three members of the family are clearly a unit from their similar dark hair to the color palette that holds them together as well. It is subtly done, but very effective.
A powerful book about children caught in the impact of the economic downturn, this book is not bleak but rather filled with hope for the future. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Bunting beautifully and sensitively captures the mixed feelings of moving and the additional burden of being forced to downsize due to financial reasons. She shows from Callie's point of view how upsetting it can be. At the same time, she shows supportive parents who work with Callie to discuss her feelings and validate her emotions. The yard sale is a strong image to have at the heart of the book, demonstrating the loss of so many items of property but at the same time strengthening the image of the family who is left strong and resilient.
Castillo has created a neighborhood of friendly people, bright balloons and lots of sunshine that works very nicely here. The deep feelings expressed by the protagonist play against the dazzling day and the contrast makes the emotions all the more real. The three members of the family are clearly a unit from their similar dark hair to the color palette that holds them together as well. It is subtly done, but very effective.
A powerful book about children caught in the impact of the economic downturn, this book is not bleak but rather filled with hope for the future. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
September 5, 2015
I teach in a community where there are many transient students. It's not unusual for our school enrollment to fluctuate monthly as students leave and others come in. As we started this school year, our last year's class of 32 2nd graders had grown to 41 and two days later it was 42. That's just one class, there were many more new students in other classes, and many who had moved on. So, as I read Yard Sale by Eve Bunting, I couldn't help but wonder about these children. How much do they have to leave behind every time they are uprooted and have to move to a new home, apartment, or trailer? It made me cry.
Yes, this book is a downer (as one reviewer wrote), as Callie stands by and watches her belongings, including her beloved bike sold. And worst of all, she just doesn't understand. She knows it has something to do with money, as she explains to a friend, but that's all she understands. Slowly, though, her parents help her understand that despite the lack of so many physical things, she still has them. OK, yes, that's when I cried more, because with some of our students, they don't even have that. You will need to take the time to discuss this book with students, as it is extremely sensitive. But, I am sure if you do, you will find it will help students who have been in the same boat as Callie. It will help them see that they are not alone.
Yes, this book is a downer (as one reviewer wrote), as Callie stands by and watches her belongings, including her beloved bike sold. And worst of all, she just doesn't understand. She knows it has something to do with money, as she explains to a friend, but that's all she understands. Slowly, though, her parents help her understand that despite the lack of so many physical things, she still has them. OK, yes, that's when I cried more, because with some of our students, they don't even have that. You will need to take the time to discuss this book with students, as it is extremely sensitive. But, I am sure if you do, you will find it will help students who have been in the same boat as Callie. It will help them see that they are not alone.
May 5, 2015
Little Callie’s family is having a yard sale. They’re moving to a smaller place, an apartment, and need to get rid of quite a few things. The underlying message is that they’ve lost their home. There’s a little bit of money talk between Callie and her next-door neighbor friend. Neither really understand, but stay helpless as they watch the belongings sold, including Callie’s bicycle. Lauren Castillo’s helps tell the story with her wonderful kid-friendly illustrations, simple and colorful. At the end, the real lesson comes through. The belongings don’t matter, and what does is that “they” are together. This will be a sweet book to share and discuss that will touch some children’s lives who are moving, and need to say goodbye to some beloved things.
February 3, 2016
What is it about Eve Bunting? Not only is she one of a very few children's book authors to cover hard (and SO IMPORTANT) subjects, but she does it without being emotionally manipulative, or trite, or corny. She just tells it like it is. And it's so, so heartbreaking. And so, so beautiful. I'm very glad for her.
This book made me cry at work.
Coworker: What did you expect? You KNEW it was an Eve Bunting.
Me: I f-forgot she was s-so goooood.
Coworker: You've brought this on yourself. I'm only going to read it tonight, after everyone else has gone home.
This book made me cry at work.
Coworker: What did you expect? You KNEW it was an Eve Bunting.
Me: I f-forgot she was s-so goooood.
Coworker: You've brought this on yourself. I'm only going to read it tonight, after everyone else has gone home.
August 18, 2015
Fairly accurate depiction of the reality of a family falling upon hard times. Quite sad but may prove helpful for a child in a similar situation.
January 29, 2017
Callie, not quite aware of the circumstances of her move, has to say goodbye to some of her belongings. Her parents are having a yard sale, and as people cover the lawn buying the items that one filled her family's home, she is feeling overwhelmed and sad. The new apartment in the city is not big enough to hold all of their things including Callie's bike. As she sees her bed being carried away she is reminded of the memories that those items hold, not only is she saying goodbye to her possessions she is also leaving her friend Sara behind. Callie observes her parents gloominess as her dad comforts her mom and they both comfort her. As the yard sale ends the house is empty, Callie's parents remind her that the most important thing is” who you have not what you have that counts”.
The story is written from a child’s perspective. Callie is not fully aware of why her family has to move, she only knows that it has to do something with money. In beginning the family feels very sad it almost brings tears to the dad's eyes but he says strong for Callie. The illustrations in the book often show Callie alone and her face with a frown, by the end of the book she is happy to have her family and realizes that's all she needs. Yard sales are synonymous with moving, thus the theme for this book which is a great way to explain the situation this family is going through.
I have neutral feelings about this book, the way the authors tell Callie's story is incredible. The message is a serious one and could leave a child feeling sad on the other hand a child who has gone through a traumatic move can relate to this book very well. I would have liked to see the parents putting Callie to bed in her new home so that it would end the book on a happier note.
The story is written from a child’s perspective. Callie is not fully aware of why her family has to move, she only knows that it has to do something with money. In beginning the family feels very sad it almost brings tears to the dad's eyes but he says strong for Callie. The illustrations in the book often show Callie alone and her face with a frown, by the end of the book she is happy to have her family and realizes that's all she needs. Yard sales are synonymous with moving, thus the theme for this book which is a great way to explain the situation this family is going through.
I have neutral feelings about this book, the way the authors tell Callie's story is incredible. The message is a serious one and could leave a child feeling sad on the other hand a child who has gone through a traumatic move can relate to this book very well. I would have liked to see the parents putting Callie to bed in her new home so that it would end the book on a happier note.
December 9, 2018
Oh, wow. I don't know what to make of this book at all.
This book deals with a very serious topic: a family that has to move from their house to a small apartment due to money issues. I absolutely, 100% feel that it is important for children's books to handle serious and even traumatic topics because children have to deal with serious and traumatic topics in their lives. There can be an inclination to say, "That's too much for a children's book," but the simple fact is that reality won't allow children to stay safe from the actual topic, so we need to craft tools to help children navigate the topic. Children's books are one such tool.
That being said, I don't know that this book actually managed to deal with this serious topic well. Rather than helping children navigate the topic and deal with the emotions associated with it, I'm worried that it's just going to traumatize them more. This book was massively depressing and at least somewhat gut wrenching to me, an adult who has gone through this process. Many parts seemed like they would foster feelings of helplessness, fear, and guilt. I can't imagine it would help a child.
The art seemed nice, though.
This book deals with a very serious topic: a family that has to move from their house to a small apartment due to money issues. I absolutely, 100% feel that it is important for children's books to handle serious and even traumatic topics because children have to deal with serious and traumatic topics in their lives. There can be an inclination to say, "That's too much for a children's book," but the simple fact is that reality won't allow children to stay safe from the actual topic, so we need to craft tools to help children navigate the topic. Children's books are one such tool.
That being said, I don't know that this book actually managed to deal with this serious topic well. Rather than helping children navigate the topic and deal with the emotions associated with it, I'm worried that it's just going to traumatize them more. This book was massively depressing and at least somewhat gut wrenching to me, an adult who has gone through this process. Many parts seemed like they would foster feelings of helplessness, fear, and guilt. I can't imagine it would help a child.
The art seemed nice, though.
February 4, 2015
I know it's only February but this might be the best picture book of the year. It will be very hard to bea. The story addresses an issue many children experience with detailing the cause of the situation, thereby making it applicable to and accessible for a larger audience. Just love this book so much I could cry. Oh wait, already did.
January 10, 2016
Okay, let's start with the positives - the art is wonderful, and the topic is realistic. But seriously, this is just depressing and not particularly well-handled. It is almost as if it expects children to deal with adult issues in an adult way, instead of letting them process things in an age-appropriate way. Not the best idea for a picture book.
Read
January 15, 2015Nana makes a cameo in this collaboration between Eve Bunting and Lauren Castillo that explores a young girl's feelings as her parents hold a yard sale in anticipation of a move.
October 6, 2015
Kinda sad, but, unfortunately there will be kids who will relate to this. Sweet ending.
July 18, 2016
Eve Bunting gets hard topics right.
I think we could do lots of good inferring work with this book -- plenty is NOT said, but needs to be understood to get to the true depth of this book.
I think we could do lots of good inferring work with this book -- plenty is NOT said, but needs to be understood to get to the true depth of this book.
December 28, 2020
3.5 out of 5
Yard Sale is a little bit depressing but also sweet and somewhat comforting picturebook about a family who is selling most of their possessions in a yard sale so that they can move to a smaller apartment.
Although I usually prefer less wordy picturebooks, I loved Eve Bunting's straightforward yet extremely moving prose. Her story from the child's perspective skillfully tugs at the heartstrings without being too sappy.
Lauren Castillo's illustrations, on the other hand, felt a little bit bland to me. Perhaps my expectations were too high as I loved her artwork in the other picturebooks I've read, Nana in the City and Twenty Yawns .
Also, did I spot nana at the yard sale? But I thought she lives in the city...
Yard Sale is a little bit depressing but also sweet and somewhat comforting picturebook about a family who is selling most of their possessions in a yard sale so that they can move to a smaller apartment.
Although I usually prefer less wordy picturebooks, I loved Eve Bunting's straightforward yet extremely moving prose. Her story from the child's perspective skillfully tugs at the heartstrings without being too sappy.
Lauren Castillo's illustrations, on the other hand, felt a little bit bland to me. Perhaps my expectations were too high as I loved her artwork in the other picturebooks I've read, Nana in the City and Twenty Yawns .
Also, did I spot nana at the yard sale? But I thought she lives in the city...
April 19, 2015
It hangs in my front picture window near the entrance to my home. It's a small poster the size of notebook paper. Beneath a large picture of my chocolate Labrador are the words Rescue Me, I'm Xena.
While it would be heartbreaking to loose family photographs and artifacts, pieces of furniture which belonged to my parents when they were children, letters and cards from cherished friends, artwork, decades of successful lessons and created games used in my school libraries and thousands of books, nothing is more precious than the being who has shared her fourteen years and seven months of life with me. I remember asking my vet if moving from one home to another would be hard on Xena at this age. He told me as long as Xena had me, wherever we were, she would be fine. This truth about family is beautifully portrayed in words and pictures in Yard Sale (Candlewick Press, April 14, 2015) written by Eve Bunting with illustrations by Caldecott Honor winner (Nana in the City) Lauren Castillo.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
While it would be heartbreaking to loose family photographs and artifacts, pieces of furniture which belonged to my parents when they were children, letters and cards from cherished friends, artwork, decades of successful lessons and created games used in my school libraries and thousands of books, nothing is more precious than the being who has shared her fourteen years and seven months of life with me. I remember asking my vet if moving from one home to another would be hard on Xena at this age. He told me as long as Xena had me, wherever we were, she would be fine. This truth about family is beautifully portrayed in words and pictures in Yard Sale (Candlewick Press, April 14, 2015) written by Eve Bunting with illustrations by Caldecott Honor winner (Nana in the City) Lauren Castillo.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
March 10, 2015
In this collaboration from Eve Bunting and illustrator Lauren Castillo, Callie struggles with the difficult and confusing situation of moving to a new house and leaving home behind. Callie and her parents are having a yard sale in preparation of their move to a smaller apartment. The young narrator doesn't completely understand why her family is moving - she only knows that it has to do with money. As strangers come, asking questions about her belongings and taking them away, Callie's discomfort and sadness grows. And, when a woman (Nana of Nana in the City!) teasingly asks if Callie is for sale, she runs to her parents in alarm, fearful of being left behind too. This book is a great fit for any family going through a move and/or dealing with financial difficulties, but it will also easily resonate with many types of readers, serving as a reminder that home is less about place and more about the people that surround you.
August 9, 2015
I look forward to sequels such as "Callie Goes to the Pawn Shop" and "Callie Meets the Repo Man" and later, as things get more desperate, "My Dad Sells His Plasma at the Blood Bank". Yard sales happen all the time everywhere. Should we be teaching kids that this is what they are about?
August 13, 2015
This picture book about moving has a very sad tone. I don't find the ending believable for a child of the age portrayed. I like that Nana (from Nana in the City) makes an appearance in this book, but her remark to the child is thoughtless.
June 20, 2016
A wonderful book to use to discuss the size of a problem, solutions, and what matters most. I will use this during a morning meeting for sure.
It would also be a great book to use for writing with tone and different emotion.
It would also be a great book to use for writing with tone and different emotion.
July 24, 2015
Beautifully written but very sad. :(
April 19, 2016
Delightful text and art. Realistic portrayal of young protagonist. Elicits empathy from the reader. Opens dialog. Character growth/arc and happy ending.
February 27, 2022
This book does an amazing job at showing the tough reality of moving out of a home and having to get rid of everything just to be able to afford your new home. This book doesn't sugarcoat the topic of poverty and shows the scary and tough realities that come with poverty while removing the stigma associated with it. Instead of this story ending in a negative way and Callie being upset that there isn't much of her stuff left, we see the book ending in a more positive note. Callie realizes that even though she had to sell a lot of her personal items, it was for the better and she still had the most important thing with her; her family. This would be an amazing book to present to your class to help portray the reality of poverty without having that negative stigma attached to it. I absolutely love this book and think it does an amazing job at talking about poverty and the different aspects associated with it.
November 15, 2021
Yard Sale tells the story of a little girl who is puzzled about why her parents are selling almost everything they own. The family is moving to a much smaller place and the possessions they once called their own are being sold for cheap. She is hesitant to let go of her bike which her dad sells to a man. Another customer jokes that she would love to buy her and asks if she's for sale. The little girl is scared that her parents would since they are already selling everything. She takes this very seriously.
Of course that wouldn't happen. In the end she realizes why things were sold. Since their new apartment would have the space for everything, she accepts her new life. Family is what matters she realizes and there's plenty of room for them in their new home.
The author tells the story from a child's perspective and many children can relate to moving due to hardships. It's a story of love and perseverance.
Of course that wouldn't happen. In the end she realizes why things were sold. Since their new apartment would have the space for everything, she accepts her new life. Family is what matters she realizes and there's plenty of room for them in their new home.
The author tells the story from a child's perspective and many children can relate to moving due to hardships. It's a story of love and perseverance.
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