Oddly - Hardcover

Dunbar, Joyce

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0763642746 ISBN 13: 9780763642747

Publisher: Candlewick, 2009

Synopsis

When a little boy bursts into their world, three unusual creatures find answers to their questions in this whimsical story from a stellar pair.

The Lostlet twirls a golden leaf and asks, Where am I? What do I hope for? The Strangelet holds a smooth white pebble and wonders, What am I? What do I dream of? The Oddlet listens to a seashell and muses, Who am I? What do I wish for? Lost in their own worlds, the creatures are powerless to fi nd answers, until a small boy appears who seems stranger, odder, and even more lost than they. As the three creatures comfort the child, they discover their hearts’ desires — while their new friend finds surprising ways to make all their dreams and wishes come true.

About this title

About the Author:

Joyce Dunbar is the author of many books for children, including THE MONSTER WHO ATE DARKNESS, illustrated by Jimmy Liao, and SHOE BABY, illustrated by her daughter, Polly Dunbar. Joyce Dunbar lives in England.

Patrick Benson has illustrated dozens of children’s books, including OWL BABIES by Martin Waddell and Herman Melville’s MOBY-DICK, edited by Jan Needle. He lives in England.

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 2–The Lostlet, the Strangelet, and the Oddlet are suffering identity crises, walking around in circles, puzzling over their existence. Along comes a boy who is lost himself. The three have apparently never seen a human before and huddle around the youngster as he cries and says he's run so far that he can't find his way back. He misses his home and his mother. 'I want some love,' he sobbed. The creatures have no concept of love. They offer up their prized possessions in hopes of comforting him. Their golden leaf, white pebble, and pink shell make him smile for the first time. When he hugs them, they declare that's what they've been longing for, and they change their names to Huglet, Snuglet, and Foundlet. They frolic and suddenly are home–in time for supper. The last picture shows the boy and the trio sitting around a table at a beach house with Mom in the background. The illustrations are the best part of this book. Benson's large, stylized pictures depict a beach and a forest of spiky blue cactuslike trees. The creatures are whimsical, but do not resemble any known animals. This is a book without an audience. The usual picture-book crowd is not big on existential angst, and the pictures are too childlike for kids old enough for such philosophical thoughts.–Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI
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About this edition

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0763642746
• ISBN 13: 9780763642747
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Benson Patrick