I know a few people have reviewed this book but I had to grab it when I saw it at the library.
I met Norton Juster at SCBWI 2011, and he’s a riot.
Hearing him talk was AMAZING.
I like his work quite a bit.
And we all know I like G.Brian Karas.
I feel like he’s illustrated at least two of the books I’ve had here in these 31 days.
ANYWAY,
on to the book!
Title: Neville
Published by: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2011
Written by: Norton Juster
Illustrated by: G. Brian Karas
In one word: Neville!
In one sentence: A boy who is new to town spends all day calling out to Neville and wrangling up the neighborhood kids to help him….will he ever find Neville?
Favorite pages:
Likes:
- I love the sequence of pictures on the first two pages, with the front matter. It lays out the story and gets us ready.
- The first page sets the tone. After the first two sentences, we know where we are, and we know just what the boy is feeling.
- The illustrations vary in size, sometimes being very small on the page.
- all the different texts of the “Nevilles” are great.
- The story is sweet.
Learns:
- Mysteries are great! They keep you turning the pages for sure.
- This is a very unique way to deal with the whole “new to the neighborhood” universal feeling/emotions.
Day 29, only two more to go!
And, remember, Singe Singe is doing the last post.
Also, make sure you keep up the good work commenting!
Last giveaway will be on the 31st!
Until then, we remain enthusiastically yours,
Kathy Ellen and Singe Singe
Yet another “storm appropriate” story today. I read I’M BORED by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by Debbie Ohi. Let’s hope we aren’t stuck in our houses for too long this week. We are hunkered down here in NYC and people are already Tweeting about being stir-crazy. We went out for bagels this morning which was only a block away just to get out.
Anyway, have a great day! 🙂 I’ll keep reading and writing!
Stay safe, Marcie…NYC doesn’t get storms like this too often!
I add my “stay safe” to Vivian’s. Safe and bored is better than the alternative.
Stay safe, Marcie!
I remember having so much fun during an ice storm when I was a kid…everything was closed down for a week…but I was a kid and didn’t have to think about the damage that was being done…
I’m glad you got to get out and get a bagel though!
Isn’t I’M BORED awesome?
Great story, Kathy…I’m glad I got to read and comment on it also!
It is hard to believe that the month of October is almost over…and November will be filled with PiBoIdMo and who knows what else. 🙂
Today I read “I Want My Hat Back” by Jon Klassen. You know, Kathy, I think I am an old fuddy-duddy, although I’ve never seen myself as that. But quite a few of these new, much awarded and applauded picture books just don’t sit that well with me.
The bear EATS the rabbit because the rabbit stole his hat and lied to him? And then he lies to the squirrel about seeing a rabbit? I’m not saying we should sugar coat life for young children…and I wouldn’t see anything wrong in talking about the fact that some animals eat other animals because that is their food…but the message to me in this book is that if someone steals (and most kids do at one time or another, even if it is just a piece of gum from a store or pennies from mommy’s purse..and they should be told that is not good behavior and have to face appropriate consequences) and/or lies (and most kids do this many times…under the age of 6 or 7 they don’t have the true sense of what is a lie and what is not) they will get eaten, killed or be made to disappear!!!! Yikes!
Is it just me, Kathy? The illustrations were cool…and I loved the moment when the bear realizes where his hat is.
Oh, I WANT MY HAT BACK….
I like this book for the illustrations and that the characters are NEVER looking at each other and the sentences are short and crisp (unlike this long one here!)
I think it’s funny because you can be on such a mission (like, to get your hat back!) that you don’t even notice it when it appears right in front of your nose!
I think I don’t take a message from it, because, I agree, if taken literally, the moral is: Steal and someone will eat you!
I think it’s a bit ridiculous all around, and that’s what I like about it.
The bear has a single focus…to find that hat.
I like the ending and the one-sidedness? (Real word?) of the bear…yeah, he lies because he got his hat back and doesn’t want any trouble.
That’s the way I see it.
Granted, I have never read it to a child.
I’ve heard it read by Jon Klassen…he does a great deadpan voice.
And kids laughed and thought it was funny.
I don’t know.
There’s my two (three?) cents 🙂
I totally understand, Kathy…and all of the books I have read that struck me as odd for young children and more geared to the adult humor…well, they are GREAT books…and yes, so very funny. I’m just not sure I would be reading them to little ones. 🙂 But I tend to be a more classic picture book reader…and even some of those are on the edge…have you read, “Millions of Cats”? They all kill each other and eat each other and only one is left…Yikes! And that was written in 1939, I think, and I’ve always loved that one (not that part of course)…so maybe I’ve been too sensitive with these new ones. 🙂
I have never read Neville. Another to add to the list. The lonnnnnnnnng list.
My reading today was courtesy Ben Clanton. Literally. I won his book “Vote for ME!” in Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 prizeapalooza in September, and it arrived today. It is delightful. Basic story– Donkey and Elephant are both desperately trying to get the reader to vote for “ME!” and not the other of them. Sound familiar? Mud slinging is involved. Actual mud. The election result left me chortling with glee.
P.S. I really don’t like to see this challenge come to an end! I guess 365 in 365 would be asking too much… 😉
Oh, maybe, Beth!
Though, I’d have to have a dedicated blog for that, wouldn’t I?
I could get ahead on posts in the summer…
Look at you giving me more ideas.
Vote for me sounds really funny.
I love that there is ACTUAL mudslinging 🙂
I love putting ideas into people’s heads! 😀
I love “Neville!” Glad you shared it today. I read one of my son’s favorite pb’s, “The Gingerbread Man Loose int he School” by Laura Murray. I love reading the rhymes and the clever story. I used to do this with my kindergarteners when I was a teacher.
I’ve heard this one is great! I’ll have to check it out.
I want this book! I have to buy most of my books. *sigh* Our library system stinketh! All old picture books. This one sounds great! *waves peace sign*
I feel ya, Robyn….
I live in Santa Cruz, which is a sizable city, and still had to search for a good long time and put a bunch of books on hold to get these. The newer ones we don’t have and I have to buy…but most of the time I’m enticed to do that because those authors or illustrators come to town!
G. Brian Karas HAS published so many great books!
Tonight we read The NUTSHELL LIBRARY by Maurice Sendak that includes four tiny books – Chicken Soup with Rice, Alligators All Around, Pierre, and One Was Johnny. We can’t read Chicken Soup with Rice and 1 Was Johnny, because we have to sing them just like Carole King. We love Pierre not because it is my dad’s name, but because he gets eaten by a lion! Alligators is our least favorite, but we read it anyway.
Eric,
Did you do a Happy Birthday Author for G. Brian Karas, or am I just making that up? I LOVE Young Zeus…one of my favorites of his. Honestly, I’ve never not liked a book he’s done…
I love those tiny books!
I have to admit all I ever read was Pierre…mainly for the boy getting eaten by a lion, and because, even at a young age, I was obsessed with all things French and loved the idea of someone being named Pierre!
very cool that it’s your Dad’s name 🙂