But No Candy - Hardcover

Houston, Gloria

3.42

24 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0399221425 ISBN 13: 9780399221422

Publisher: Philomel Books, 1992

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The harsh realities of World War II come alive for seven-year-old Lee when she is forced to give up her favorite treat, chocolate bars, and her uncle goes off to fight in Europe. By the author of Littlejim.

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From Publishers Weekly:

In melodious prose, Houston looks at WW II through the eyes of Lee, an American girl living in the country. Every day the youngster takes a nickel "from Mama's flowered dish" and goes downstairs to choose some candy from the store that her father owns. But when war comes and Uncle Tom goes away to fight, the candy supply slows to a trickle then stops altogether as the war intrudes on Lee's sheltered world. Her hope for the war to end and her candy supply to be replenished becomes a refrain, poignant in its childlike simplicity. By book's end Lee has matured to understand that "she would never be the same again" and that even candy "didn't seem as important as it used to be." Bloom's oils capture the unfettered freedom of childhood with an underlying thoughtfulness. Rendered in somber tones, with strong, stylized faces, the paintings' homey details create a reassuring setting for Houston's affecting narrative. The artist's evocation of mood adds a distinct depth of vision--his characters seem endowed with a sensitive wisdom. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 2-4-- Set during World War II, this book captures the flavor of the times filtered through the eyes of a young girl, who sees the war simply as the cause of her being deprived of candy. Six years old when the story begins, Lee matures as her world changes. The war takes away her Uncle Ted, and missing her daily treat gradually begins to assume less importance than having him come back safely. When he does return, bringing her the longed-for Hershey bar, Lee finds she cannot recapture her childish feelings of delight and realizes that she has grown up. As the girl and her family gather scrap metal, listen to the war news on the radio, and collect ration stamps, this period of American history is given substance. The illustrations have a wonderful '40's quality about them also, presenting the family in a solid three-dimensional manner as if created from clay. This is a succinct, well-crafted story that is well worth a place on most picture-book shelves.
- Judy Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library , LA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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