Valentine - Softcover

Carrick, Carol; Bouma, Paddy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0618051511 ISBN 13: 9780618051519

Publisher: Clarion Books, 2001

Synopsis

Paddy Bouma's soft watercolors highlight this unusual Valentine's Day story of a loving grandmother-granddaughter relationship. Heather is disappointed that Mama can't stay home from work to spend the holiday with her. Making cookies with Grandma-including a big, heart-shaped one for Mama-cheers her up. But when Heather and Grandma check on the sheep, they find one of the new lambs cold and still. Young children will identify with Heather's pride in helping care for the lamb and her joyful anticipation of another surprise to share with Mama.

About this title

About the Author:

Carol Carrick has written more than twenty-five well-received books for Clarion, including PATRICK'S DINOSAURS, one of the many books illustrated by her late husband, Donald Carrick. She lives in West Tisbury, Massachusetts.

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-K?It's Valentine's Day and Heather is upset. With understated prose, Carrick captures a familiar mini-drama played out in countless homes: "'Why do you always have to go to work?' said Heather. I don't want you to go.'" Mama answers, "'I would rather stay home with you.'" The plot line is simple and effective: the child and her grandmother plan to spend the day baking Valentine cookies (a project that distracts Heather for only a little while), but when they go out to the sheep pen to check Clover, the day takes on an abrupt turn: one of her newborn lambs is cold and stiff. The life-and-death suspense that follows is mild and appropriate for young children, who will be fascinated by the ways in which Grandma and Heather warm up and save the little lamb, Valentine. Carrick weaves accurate information into the story, creating a tale with a strong message about love and caring. Bouma's watercolor-and-pencil illustrations, done in a soft palette with occasional interesting color accents, blend well with the text. Visual details reflect comfort and safety: cozy kitchen, warm fire, child-sized rocker, steam billowing from a kettle, a nosy black cat. A very successful effort that children will relate to and enjoy.?Lee Bock, Brown County Public Libraries, Green Bay, WI
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0618051511
• ISBN 13: 9780618051519
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 40