James Sage

Description

Poor Old Misery. She and her old cat, Rutterkin, “ain’t got two pennies to rub together.” And the one thing of value she does have —a tree, filled with good eating apples — is regularly ransacked by humans and animals of all kinds who make off with armloads of apples! So, one day, when a surprise visitor grants her a wish, Old Misery tells him, “There’s but one wish for me, mister, and it’s this here: whoever I catch stealing apples off my tree will get stuck to it show more until I decide to let them go!” At first, it seems like her wish was a terrific idea, as she catches all the apple thieves and sends them on their way for good. But then Old Misery decides to use her new power on another surprise visitor. And she learns what may be the most miserable lesson of all: be careful what you wish for!

Author James Sage has created a playful allegory about why misery exists in the world, and always will. Award-winning Russell Ayto’s two-color, pen-and-ink illustrations do a superb job of evoking the eccentric and slightly macabre feel of the book, perfectly complementing the original voice of the storytelling. The dark humor and a vintage feel will make this picture book a hit with fans of Edward Gorey and Lemony Snicket.

Available Editions
EDITION: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781771388238
PRICE: $18.99 (CAD)

Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press Ltd. for providing this ARC for me to read and provide my honest review.

MY BOOK REVIEW: The description echoes a lot of my own conclusions but I would also like to add that James Sage’s creative and interesting take on why misery exists in the world is done in such a way, children will completely have no issues grasping the concept. His ability to write for children is shown clearly in all his work, and reaffirmed by all the awards he’s been nominated for or received.

I loved the premise, and the choice of partnering him up with Russell Ayto was bang on. Ayto’s style enhances the melodramatic context, his illustrations defining the nature of the book in a simplistic, yet entertaining manner for children. The cover art is sweet and should attract a lot of curious readers.

This book is a classic in the making. show less

I am very glad the author slightly changed the real story behind Teddy not shooting a bear. The real one that is told at the end in the Author's Note is offensive to me (Teddy was ok--it was his hosts that were offensive). I love the book and the illustrations. I always liked the teddy bear story but I only vaguely knew it and now I know a little more.

Sage has blended fact with fiction to tell the creation story of the first Teddy Bear. The result is a delight! He weaves the lives of a president, a cartoonist, a toy maker, and a scrawny bear cub to create our beloved Teddy Bears. Sage uses excellent skills to fill in the historical gaps and keep the story flowing. Feng's illustrations warmly enhance the tone of the book, like a Teddy Bear hug.

Written for young children who love their pets, Sage’s story is a fun addition to any classroom library. The theme of the book is finding a piece of home in a new place. Swanda moves from her rural home to Brooklyn, New York and misses the wild animals that had been in her life. She comes across birds flying around her apartment building and decides to feed them, to the chagrin of her boisterous neighbors. Different characters are introduced to tell Swanda that what she is doing is not a show more good idea and she is sent to talk to several bird experts around the city to learn what to do about the pigeons. Swanda’s neighbors are fed up with all the noise the pigeons make and eventually, they all yell in a thick New York accent: “Stop feedin’ da boids!”. Swanda then has to settle on some fish in a big tank, but is looking perhaps a little too fondly at the variety of marine life in the city aquarium she visits at the end. Pratt’s illustrations create a bright picture of everyday life in Brooklyn with multicultural faces. His illustrations take you on a walk through different shops and apartments around Swanda’s block to contribute to the mood of adjusting to a big new place. This book will engage young children for independent and whole-group reading.
BIBLIO: 2017, Kids Can Press, Ages 5 to 6, $10.49.
REVIEWER: Lee Anna Dickerson
FORMAT: Emergent Reader
ISBN: 1771386134
ISBN: 978-1771386135 show less