The Washington Post -
Elizabeth Ward
Another picture book that is so simple in idea and execution that it could easily slip under the radar. It shouldn't.
Beverley Fahey
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Children's Literature
At the end of the day and parent and child take a walk along their street. There is much to observe with plenty of activity in and around the houses. One neighbor finishes her gardening, another mails a letter, a boy mows the lawn, the sweet smell of fresh apple pie wafts out a window, squirrels chatter and chase each other, and the mailman makes the last delivery of the day. As they sky begins to darken, the pair retrace their steps and observe all the changes that have occurred in the short time of their walk. This quiet, gentle mood piece is perfect to share at bedtime. The soft muted colors reflect the calm at the end of the day and have a restful affect on the reader. As each page is turned, little ones can pore over all the tiny details and pick out the things that have changed such as the trash at the curb, the flag taken down, the pie eaten. Because the parent and child are never seen, each child reading this can imagine himself on this nighttime stroll. 2005, Orchard Books, Ages 3 to 6.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2-"Let's go for a walk, along the block, and see what we can see-." With this opening line Cooper invites readers on a virtual evening stroll down an ordinary suburban street. On each spread, a new house or two come into view, full of interesting homey details. As the walk progresses, the sky darkens and, finally, it is time to turn back. The artist then shows each house in reverse and points out the small changes that have occurred as night has come on. The text is spare but delightfully descriptive. Cooper's watercolor illustrations are likewise simple, but with very few lines he is able to suggest considerable detail. Children will enjoy pausing to look carefully at each page especially as the sky grows dark and night animals can be seen hiding in shadows. The muted colors and horizontal format of the illustrations give the book a restful feeling and make it a good bedtime story, and the text is easy enough for beginning readers. A lovely choice.-Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Cooper's warm and energetic watercolor and ink pictures are more detailed than his usual here, but hold the same evocative engagement with his audience. A child and a parent-since the child is never pictured, the reader takes his or her place-take a walk down their block in the late summer evening. Cooper's images flow along the line of their walk, each spread connecting to the next. A gardening neighbor sits on her red wheelbarrow beneath a huge oak tree, whose squirrels race across it to the next clothesline and that house's bird feeder. A cat rests under an apple tree, whose owner is making pie. Lawns are mowed, burgers flipped. Readers see folks through their windows and on their porches. By the time it's dark and the walkers retrace their steps, each activity has been completed and each family has settled inside. "And all we have seen, we will see again, when we walk along the block in the morning." Cozy and friendly with lots to look at. (Picture book. 3-7)
(19395 ratings)
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