Oliver at the WindowILLUSTRATED BY Ages: 4-6 Grades: Preschool Pages: 32 List Price: 16.95 Cover: Hardcover Published: 10/1/2009 ISBN: 1-59078-548-7 ISBN-13: 978-1-59078-548-5 |
When Oliver's parents separate, Oliver must brave many new changes. He shuffles back and forth between his parents' homes. And now he goes to preschool everyday. He doesn't know the kids there or his new teacher. Isolated and alone at first, Oliver slowly becomes part of the gang. Eventually, he's able to help the newest student feel welcome at school. Lion stays with Oliver everywhere he goes, giving him just the thing he needs to adjust to all the changes: courage. Reviews"In this seemingly simple story, Shreeve tackles an emotionally complex topic with sensitivity. McDonald's unpretentious artwork serves the story beautifully with an earnest integrity. Loving texture is imparted on every surface by use of colored pencil, while she cleverly uses Oliver's lion as a device to show his emotional growth throughout the story. The deceptively childlike drawings also exhibit a playful quality, as reappearing critters peek out on each spread. An honest and heartfelt rendering of a serious topic." "Softly shaded primitive-style illustrations with playful touches showing Oliver and his classmates engaged in boisterous activities are an ideal match for the simply told story about courage and getting on with life. Although this works fine as a story, it would also make an effective vehicle for starting a discussion to bring out feelings about changes in a child’s life or how to help children feel part of a group." |
