Reviews (5)

Invaluable resource for children's fiction writers
I have read quite a few books on writing and illustrating for children, and in my opinion, this one is far and away the best. Uri Schulevitz communicates the essential elements of outstanding writing and illustration for children so clearly that I had one of those "light bulb" moments. He uses an abundance of examples (his own work and others) to explain what he means. Off and on for years, I have been working on several books for children, but certain aspects didn't seem to work. I knew my work needed refining, but I was unable to define specific solutions. Schulevitz has broken down the process so well that I have finally been able to clarify my story lines and flow. Although printing processes have changed immensely since this book was published (especially in pre-production such as scanning artwork), making that portion out-of-date, the other information is timeless. This is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in writing for children.

Make every picture tell a story
Shulevitz presents a clear, complete guide to the basics of creating a book for children. It starts with a brief discussion of plot, development, and resolution - maybe not what you remember about an illustratedchildren's book, but you know it when they're not well worked out. Given a story, the next step is in creating its pictures. Narrative illustration, the kind that contains a story and moves the reader through it, is a lot more than just the individual panels that make it up. Pictures may spotlight a few key events in the text, or they may take on the real load of the story-teller's task. It depends not only on the artistic decisions of the illustrator and writer (often different people), but also on the age range of the intended audience.
A book every children's book illustrator should have--and useful for writers and others too
This review is condensed from a longer review on my web site, The Purple Crayon.
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Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Art    3. Composition & Creative Writing - Children's Literature    4. General    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Techniques - General    7. Illustration & commercial art    8. Writing & editing guides    9. Writing skills   

Reviews (1)

Lovely
This book is charming without being condescending.The illustrations perfectly evoke the peace that can be found in the night, as well as the impish character of Alice in Wonderland, where clocks have faces and tea cups make music.
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Subjects:  1. Bedtime & Dreams    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Preschool    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Night    8. Preschool Picture Story Books    9. Sleep    10. Juvenile Fiction / Bedtime & Dreams   

Editorial Review

Uri Shulevitz won a CaldecottMedal for his illustrated edition of Arthur Ransome's Read more

Reviews (8)

Wonderful illustrations!
Everything goes together in this book.The illustrations are simple and evocative, the text is minimal, you need to read it with weight to convey the mood; the gray, unremarkable city populated with gray, unremarkable adults is uninspiring.A little boy sees one snowflake (yes, it's there, look hard) and gets excited.Not so the adults: 'grandfather with beard', 'man with hat', and 'woman with umbrella' brush him off.The city is still gray.WE are gray, but the boy believes and indeed the snowflakes keep coming until they begin to build up on the street and buildings.The boy and his Mother Goose companions get happier and the illustrations get brighter.The dour adults are driven indoors, the boy dances with delight.Imagination, enthusiasm, and hope have triumphed.
A snowy day
By and large, the general rule guiding picture books and the Caldecott awards they garner is that no children's author/illustrator ever wins the Caldecott Award for their best work.This rule generally applies to all awards, I suppose in some way.Oscar winning actors, actresses, and directors never seem to win for their best films either.But the case seems to be even more extreme when it comes to picture books.Let's take author/illustrator extraordinaire Uri Shulevitz as our example.Now review your Caldecott knowledge and tell me what book earned Shulevitz a Caldecott.If you said, "The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship", you are correct.Now, tell me which book Shulevitz both wrote and illustrated which DESERVED the Caldecott Award (not Honor).If you said, "Snow" then you are once more right right right.I recently discovered this charming and thoroughly pleasing little book all on my own and I can tell you here and now that aside from the great "Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats, there is no other book that so skillfully pinpoints the elation a child feels at the first real snowfall of the year.
The Simplicity of Snow
The children's book, Snow, by Uri Shulevitz is about a young boy who anticipates snow with only seeing just one snowflake.His grandfather and other people around town do not pay much attention to his words and just brush him off.More snowflakes begin to fall and make the town white.Finally, there is snow. This book is very bluntly written.There are no proper names, no possessives, and no descriptions.With the exception of the pictures, Snow is quite bland.The minimal title of Snow does somewhat suggest the simplicity of the story in the book.Perhaps Shulevitz's whole purpose of writing the book is to show the purity and incomplexity of snow itself. The sentences within the book are not long or complex in any way.Most of them consist of a simple subject and a simple predicate and four to six small words.For example, the first page says, "The skies are gray.The rooftops are gray.The whole city is gray."The next sentence is three words but is not really an actual sentence.However, the sentences do begin to grow in length and number of words as more snow begins to fall through out the story.During the climax of the book when the snow really begins to fall hard, there is a sentence with many words that runs for four pages. Another way in which the narration is very dull is that there are not any descriptions.The story does not say anything like, "the short boy with brown hair" or "the fat man carrying the briefcase."The boy, who is the main character of the story is just called "boy with dog" through out the entire book until the last page when he is "the boy."Also, the boy comes into contact with three nameless people: "grandfather with beard," "man with hat," and "woman with umbrella."Although none of the characters have names, they still fit into the story as well as the boy.Another item that is missing from the narration is the article "the." The boy or the people he meets would not sound so uninteresting if they were called "the woman" or "the man." Overall, this is a good story to read.If not for the excitement that many children have over seeing snow, Shulevitz would not have been able to be so basic with his telling of the story.However, the two parts of the story-the stirring idea of snow and the unexciting storyline fit perfectly to make the book balance. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. City and town life    4. City life    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Lifestyles - City & Town Life    9. Nature & the Natural World - General    10. Snow    11. Juvenile Fiction / Nature & the Natural World   

Reviews (3)

Jewish Mystical Story Telling at its Best
This seeming children's story is really a parable for adults (which children can enjoy and eventually get on another level when they are ready).There are many well crafted sentences about the spiritual life, how to surrender into trusting God to take care of your life, about the hidden saints who help our life on Earth work, how to use our free choice, how to live in community with others, how to relate to believers and nonbelievers, how to handle being falsely accused, and how to be humble with power.You can taste a whole way of life behind the story which might be worth living or open it at random and find some messages that relate to challenges we meet in daily life.

CLASSIC SINGER STORY, SUPPOSEDLY FOR CHILDREN
The Golem is one fo the best known Singer short stories.Its theme is a Golem, a mythical figure imbued with life by cabalistic magic to help the Jewish people in a time of need.
es la m�s bella versi�n del Golem que jam�s le�
El Golem tiene todos los ingredientes que necesita un relato para funcionar, pero en este caso, adem�s, est� escrito por Singer. Esto significa que el cuento est� bellamente narrado. Singer cuenta de manerasimple a�n las historias m�s complejas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/All Ages    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Czechoslovakia    4. Fiction    5. Folklore & Mythology    6. General    7. Golem    8. Jews    9. Juvenile Fiction / Religious / Jewish   

Reviews (3)

The artwork has been underrated
I think the artwork in this book has been underrated, perhaps because only a few colors were used in printing. It's clever: the run-down New York City neighborhood is drawn in meticulous detail. I use it to show Inuit studentswhat a city looks like! By contrast, the royal entourage is cartoon-style,not realistic. Not only does the royal family's entourage grow larger witheach repetition of the pattern, but the characters themselves grow larger,until at the end of the book they have to hunch over to fit into the boy'stenement apartment.At the very end, the characters turn into playingcards (only in the art, not in the text) and the royal barber (who, wesomehow suspect, is a self-portrait of the author) becomes a doll that hasbeen sitting half-seen on the window sill all along. Lots to look at inthis book.

Little boy gets interesting visitor.
One Monday Morning is the story of a little prince who each day of the week brings more friends to visit. However the little boy he's coming to visit isn't home. The story is much like the 12 days of christmas with theaddition of interesting characters each day of the week.

Great First Reader.Please re-publish
This book is a great first time reader.It is better than Dick and Jane for several reasons.This book adds people and words as the story unfolds.It is an easy story to follow.It adds words that are pretty common totoday's early readers.I am a literacy volunteer and I use this book formy older reading students. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. City and town life    5. Fiction    6. Imagination & Play    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Kings and rulers    9. Kings, queens, rulers, etc    10. Kings, queens, rulers, etc.    11. Lifestyles - City & Town Life    12. Lifestyles - City Life    13. Preschool Picture Story Books    14. Royalty (kingsqueensprincesprincessesknightsetc.)    15. Shulevitz, Uri    16. Sports & Recreation - Imaginative Play   

Reviews (6)

Moral: Riches make one clever
The story of the fool and his remarkable flying ship is a classic through and through.The classic tale of how a single man is able, with the help of his clever friends, to fulfill every task the local ruler (in this case, the Czar) sets before him is both a pleasure to read and a joy to reread.In the case of the 1968 edition of this story, illustrated by Uri Shulevitz, I can't say that this is the definitive version of the tale to read to your kids.It's enjoyable, yes.It has a nice text and it flows rather well.Unfortunately, the illustrations are a bit lax and while the book is a good read, it doesn't endear itself as much as it might to the average child reader. could be even better
The story is great, if a little predictable.The young fool sets off to find a flying ship and thereby win the princess.A magical old man helps him find the ship, then the fool picks up a bunch of people on the way to the czar's palace, all of whom have these weird special talents.Once at the palace, the czar doesn't want to hand over his daughter and sets before the fool a number of tasks, which amusingly, but somewhat predictably line up with the special skills of each of the people he picked up along the way. My Favorite Picture Book
The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship by Arthur Ransome with illustrations by Uri Shulevitz is easily my favorite picture book. Everything is perfect about the book. First of all the pictures are marvelous. All of Shulevitz's books have good pictures, but this might be his best. The pictures jump off the page with their color and with the humor portrayed in them. The story is, of course, the best part of the book. The story is hilarious with marvelously interesting characters. It also has some good morals like "God loves simple folk." I work in a library, and adults and kids all love this book. I have also seen the book performed for children, and it proved to be excellent for reading aloud. The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship is an amazing picture book and deseves is Caldecott Medal and its classic status. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Folklore    5. Folklore & Mythology    6. Soviet Union    7. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Country & Ethnic   

Reviews (1)

This is a book in which nothing - and everything happens.
I had the opportunity to spend two weeks with Mr. Shulevitz some years ago at a writers workshop in upstate New York. In this peaceful setting I first read his book "Dawn". I mention the location because it perfectlymirrored the setting of the book, which takes place on a small lake, muchlike Pine Lake, the site of our workshop. In the time I spent with Mr.Schulevitz, I came to appreciate the profound simplicity he brings to hiswork. This concept of "less is more" is nowhere more apparentthan in this book. He has managed to present the routine, a sunrise, as awonderous event. This is an excellent book to share with a young child; theillustrations and sparse text build throughout the story to a satisfyingand meaningful conclusion. Although the details he has recorded are simple,they create a powerful sense of time and place, easily drawing a child intothe story. It will likely raise questions; who are the boy and the old man?Where are they going? Of course, in the end, none of this really matters.The power of the sunrise trancends all that preceeds it. Ultimately, thisbook, like much of Uri Schulevitz's work, is very "zen-like" inthat it invites the reader to experience the miracle of the ordinary. Iwould encourage anyone to purchase and enjoy this book. It offers a child -or an adult for that matter - an oasis of calm in a frantic world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Dawn    4. Day    5. Fiction    6. General   

Reviews (2)

Incredible Journey
Beautifully written and illustrated, The Travels of Bejamin of Tudela takes us on an incredible journey through the ancient Jewish world into the Diaspora nine hundred years ago.As the story unfolds, we visit one enchanting city after another and experience with our imaginations and amazing illustrations the sights, sounds, and smells of each beautiful and mysterious location.Don't miss this great adventure!

Entertaining and informative!
In 1159, Benjamin of Tudela, a Jewish man living in Spain, set out on a 14 year journey across the Mediterranean Sea and through the Middle East. His Hebrew-language journal is a wonderful look into the world of the twelfth century, but it is not accessible to many people. Well, in this wonderful book, author Uri Shulevitz retells Benjamin's story for the younger reader!
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Subjects:  1. 12th cent    2. Action & Adventure    3. Action & Adventure - General    4. Benjamin,    5. Biographical - Other    6. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    7. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    8. Children: Grades 3-4    9. Fiction    10. Historical - General    11. Historical - Medieval    12. History    13. Jews    14. Juvenile Fiction    15. Juvenile Historical Fiction    16. Middle Ages    17. People & Places - Middle East    18. Transportation - General    19. Travelers    20. of Tudela,    21. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (5)

In Thanksgiving, He Built a House of Prayer...
A Treasure Indeed!
When I first read this book I had no idea how good it was going to be.The illustrations are some of the best I've seen in chidren's picture books.
Disappointing
I bought this book for my children hoping to ennoble their hearts with the wisdom that one may have to travel far to value what he already has near. The book started out ok but I found the ending terribly disappointing, as if a literal treasure is the cure-all for one's poverty and troubles. I had to read this book a least a dozen times to see if I was missing something. I just can't figure out why anyone would like it. Please enlighten me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. England    4. Folklore    5. Folklore & Mythology    6. Juvenile Fiction / Religious / Jewish   

Reviews (1)

Teacher finds book sweet and charming.
I read this book nearly ten years ago, and have forgotten much of my experience with it.Since it was one of my selections for my Children's Literature Class in college, I do have a completed review.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Children: Preschool    4. Fiction    5. Nature & the Natural World - Weather    6. Preschool Picture Story Books    7. Rain and rainfall    8. Juvenile Fiction / Nature & the Natural World   

Reviews (1)

Just wonderful
This book is just wonderful.Ms. Manushkin presents the stories of the matriarchs and other women from the tanakh with suchcharacter, and in such an honest and vibrant style, I have to admit that I was moved to tears when I read it.Yasher koach! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible stories    2. Bible stories, English    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Religion    4. Children: Babies & Toddlers    5. Girls & Women    6. Historical - General    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. O.T    10. Religion - Bible - Stories    11. Women in the Bible    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Girls & Women   

Reviews (1)

A Delightful Retelling
A perfect story to read aloud to young children! With beautiful illustrations and a wonderful moral, The Golden Goose has the ability to captivate a young audience. Would recommend it to any storyteller! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - European    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - General    5. Fairy tales    6. Folklore    7. Germany    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Single Title   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Preschool Picture Story Books    6. Shulevitz, Uri    7. Social Issues - Lost & Found    8. Teddy bears    9. Toys, Dolls, & Puppets    10. Juvenile Fiction / Bedtime & Dreams   

Reviews (2)

Luck soup
You could say I like Chelm stories, and that I buy every one I can. Fools are we all!
It is always a pleasure to read something by I.B.Singer.Although this short tale is recommended for ages 9-12, it is certainly also addressed to any age beyond.The tale is a delightful satire of society�s political andideological systems, in may aspects a short version of George Orwell�s"Animal Farm." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Civilization    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Social change    7. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Country & Ethnic   

Reviews (2)

How can your head be gray and your beard black?
This story has an interesting character because his head is gray and his beard is black.This old man teaches kids to be wise and to trust others.I want to one day be like him.

The Old Man
I love this book so much, I would like to one day buy it for my collection because it teaches people how to respect each other. My favorite character is the Old Man. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    4. Folklore    5. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Arab countries    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Deserts    5. Dreams    6. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    7. Fiction    8. Shepherds    9. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Country & Ethnic   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - European    4. Folklore    5. Russia    6. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Country & Ethnic   

Reviews (1)

I Love This Book
This is one of my favorite books.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Concepts - General    3. General    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Spanish: Grades 1-2   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. England    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - European    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    5. Folklore    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Social Issues - General    8. Spanish    9. Spanish language materials    10. Spanish: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    11. Juvenile Fiction / General